Its half-term week and its so nice not to have to rush around everyday doing school runs and today has been extra special as I have spent the whole day at home alone with Luca. I love spending individual time with each one of my Children, you get to learn whats going on in their lives and to see there individual personalities shine.
 
I have had all my usual boring jobs to do, cleaning, washing, etc, but we have made this delicious lemon tart and we found time to make pancakes for lunch. So all good.
 
I even made the pastry myself, not today I must add, but when I made my chocolate tart the other day I made enough pastry to divide into three portions. One I used for the chocolate tart and the other two I put in the freezer.
 
I must admit it froze rather well, Rosie and Luca made Jam Tarts on Monday with one portion and I’ve used the last one up today. Such a time saving idea.
 
I love having the Children at home and can’t wait until the Easter Holidays, lots of baking opportunities.
 
Buon appetito

Ingredients

For the lemon tart

  • 5 free-range eggs
  • 190g/6¾oz caster sugar
  • 250ml/9fl oz double cream
  • 4 lemons, juice and zest
  • butter, for greasing
  • flour, for dusting
  • 225g/8oz ready-made sweet shortcrust pastry
  • icing sugar, for dusting

For the goats’ cheese cream

  • 110g/4oz mild goats cheese
  • 50ml/2fl oz double cream
  • 2 tbsp icing sugar

Preparation method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
  2. For the lemon tart, crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk gently to break up the yolks. Add the sugar and mix well. Add the cream and the lemon juice and stir. Pass the mixture through a sieve, then add the lemon zest and set aside.
  3. Grease a 20cm/8in flan ring with butter. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to make a circle large enough to fit over the flan ring. Using the rolling pin, carefully lift the pastry over the ring and gently press into the ring. Allow the pastry to overhang the edges of the ring slightly. Line with a circle of greaseproof paper and fill with rice or baking beans.
  4. Transfer to the oven and bake for about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and remove the beans and greaseproof paper, then return to the oven for five minutes, or until the tart case is lightly browned.
  5. Turn the oven down to 150C/300F/Gas 2 and pour the lemon mixture into the tart case. Bake in the oven for about an hour, or until the filling is just set and the pastry is golden-brown.
  6. Remove the tart from the oven and trim off the edges of the pastry. Leave to cool completely, then place in the fridge to chill for about two hours.
  7. Preheat the grill to medium.
  8. Dust the top of the tart generously with icing sugar then place under the grill until caramelised.
  9. For the goats’ cheese cream, place the goats’ cheese into a bowl with the cream and icing sugar and mix well.
  10. To serve, cut the tart into wedges and serve with a spoonful of the goats’ cheese cream.