Kenwood Disaster Chef 2015 Week 4 Recipe Challenge – Comté Cheese and Swiss Chard Tart

This week’s recipe is Comté Cheese and Swiss Chard Tart and was created by Raymond Blanc OBE, Michelin-Star Chef, Author and Television Personality.

As much as I love eating pies and tarts, I have to admit I was super nervous about this week’s challenge.

Ingredients

Makes: 1 tart

Preparation time: 30 minutes + 1 hour resting

Cooking time: 40 minutes

Equipment: Kenwood Chef Sense with K-beater attachment; Tart ring (21cm diameter x 2.5cm high)

Method

For the shortcrust pastry

1. Put the flour, butter and salt into a Kenwood Chef Sense bowl. Using the K-beater on speed 2, mix for 3 minutes until the texture is sandy/grainy
2. Make a well in the centre and add the eggs and water. On speed 2, mix the egg and water into the flour and butter with the K-beater; once the eggs have been absorbed, the mixture will come together to form a ball, but be careful not to overwork the dough at this stage as it would shrink too much during cooking
3. Turn onto a lightly-floured surface and, with the palms of your hands, knead gently for just 10 seconds
4. Break off 20-30g of dough, tightly wrap it in cling film and refrigerate for later (to tuck in the dough)
5. Flatten the dough into a circle, 2cm thick. Place in the middle of a large sheet of cling film, about 40cm square, and cover with another sheet of cling film of similar dimensions. Roll out the dough to an even circle, 3mm thick

To line the tart ring

1. Place the tart ring on a flat tray lined with greaseproof paper
2. Remove the top layer of cling film and discard. Lift the dough by picking up the corners of the remaining bottom layer of cling film, flipping it into the tart ring so that the cling film side faces upwards
3. Leave the top layer of cling film while you ease the pastry into the ring with your fingers
4. Using the small amount of dough saved from earlier, carefully tuck it into the edges, ensuring it is neatly moulded into the shape of the ring
5. Remove the cling film and, with a rolling pin, trim the edges of the tart by rolling the pin over the top of the ring
6. Now, thin the edge of the tart case by gently pressing your thumbs all around the inside of the tart to raise the edge 2mm above the ring
7. With a fork, lightly prick the bottom of the pastry case to allow the steam generated during cooking to escape, helping to keep the pastry flat and level
8. Place the tart case in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes to relax and firm up the pastry
9. Preheat the oven to 170°C and place the baking tray on the middle shelf of the oven

To cook the filling

1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over a medium low heat and then add the chard batons, water and seasoning to your taste
2. Stir, then cover and cook gently for 10 minutes until the chard pieces are soft and melting, but holding their shape
3. Stir in the roughly-chopped leaves and wilt them on a high heat for 30 seconds
4. Place on a tray and leave to cool in the fridge until needed
5. Make sure you drain off any excess liquid before placing the leaves into the tart case
6. In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, milk and cream and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg (if using)
7. Scatter the Swiss chard evenly over the base of the tart case as well as half of the grated cheese
8. Pour in the creamy egg mixture and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top
9. Slide the tart directly onto the hot baking tray in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly souffléd and the base is golden brown
10. Leave to rest and cool slightly for 10 minutes before serving

Shortcrust pastry is one of those things I tend to shy away from, even shop bought ones you simply roll.  It just seems so daunting.  But each week I’m determined to step out of my comfort zone and now it’s time for my very first attempt at making a tart.  I love Swiss chard but I’ve never tried Comté cheese so here we go.

Time to make the shortcrust pastry, I mix all my ingredients in my Kenwood Chef Sense (my new bestie). 

Rolling the dough in cling film makes it easy, thank you Raymond! 
My husband even helped to roll the dough, now that’s a first him helping in the kitchen. 

He was trying to butter me up to make a gluten free version.

Ok I’m feeling rather brave so I’ll make 2 versions. 

I was able to place my dough in the tart tin without any mishaps phew!

I left it to chill in the fridge and got started on the filling. 

After preparing my filling, I filled the tart tin and placed it in the oven.

I kept peeping through the oven door as I was nervous. 

When the time was up, my tart was looking good.  My proudest moment, I can’t believe I did it!!!

My friends loved it and said it was the best dish so far on the challenge. 

It was delicious, the Comté cheese was creamy and slightly nutty.

My husband loved his gluten free version and now wants me to make pies and tarts everyday.

What no rice and chicken!!!

I now have a new found confidence and most importantly I’m having fun in the kitchen. 

Roll on Week 5!

I’ll be making a Walnut and Strawberry Cream Layer Cake.

I hope you’re enjoying these recipes.  Please feel free to comment below.

Lola 🙂