Cheese and Leek Tart

Yes I am somewhat obsessed with picnics. And Picnic food at that. There are certain foods that are just made for picnics and tarts and quiches are one of them. Earlier, I gave a recipe for a Picnic Quiche where you can make your own meltingly good quiche crust. You could of course use the same pastry for this one but for this recipe, I've just specified a sheet of shortcrust pastry.

I finally broke out my packet of ceramic pie weights. A few months ago, I asked my mother in law to make me some as she does ceramics but after trying to explain these to a non baker (a raw foods enthusiast to be exact) it seemed altogether easier to buy them. I've started noticing that we seem to incorporate more and more vegetarian food in our diet nowadays, not because we are turning vegetarian (there's absolutely no chance of that, I like eating meat too much) but in an effort to try and eat more vegetables. I won't say try and be healthier as the amount of cream, pastry, eggs and cheese puts any claims of that to rest.

Cheese and Leek Tart

An original recipe by Not Quite Nigella

• 1 sheet shortcrust pastry

• 1 flan tin (round or rectangular, I used a 35cm x 12cm one with a removable base

• 1 tablespoon oil

• 2 leeks

• 2 tablespoons mustard

• 3 eggs

• 1/2 cup cream

• 1/4 cup cheese grated

Step 1 - Preheat the oven to 200c. Saute leeks in oil over a medium heat for 2 minutes until softened, then add mustard. Leave to cool.

Step 2 - Place the pastry in the flan tin and press against the sides. Trim and make sure there are no holes in the pastry. Place a sheet of greaseproof paper and add baking weights (or dried beans or rice) and bake for 10 minutes. Cool a little and remove the pie weights and paper.

Step 3 - Reduce oven temperature to 180c. Whisk cream and eggs together and then stir in cheese. Place leeks on base of the tart shell and then carefully pour the eggy cheesy cream mixture. Bake on baking sheet for 20-25 minutes.