In the depths of the COVID lockdown, when foodies missed feeding friends and had nobody to share recipes with, South Sensation set up #eatsouth. It’s a gaggle of food fanatics who are passionate about local produce and supporting our amazing local producers.

This dish was created within our Isle of wight Garlic Farm Collection.

GOAT’S CHEESE & CARAMELISED GARLIC TART

JANE SULLIVAN #eatsouth 

This recipe comes from ‘Plenty’ by Yotam Ottolenghi, which you can of course buy from Amazon.

If possible, though, please try and use a local seller like The Book Shop at Lee-on-the-Solent.

INGREDIENTS

• 375g all-butter puff pastry
• 3 heads of garlic – we used Isle of Wight Wonky
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 220ml water
• ¾ tbsp caster sugar
• 1 tsp chopped rosemary
• 1 tsp chopped thyme plus a few whole sprigs to finish
• 120g creamy goat’s cheese
• 120g hard mature goat’s cheese
• 2 free-range eggs
• 100ml double cream
• 100ml crème fraîche
• salt and black pepper

METHOD

Have ready a shallow, loose-bottomed, 28 cm fluted tart tin. Roll out the puff pastry into a circle that will line the bottom and sides of the tin, plus a little extra.

Line the tin with the pastry. Place a large circle of greaseproof paper on the bottom and fill up with baking beans. Leave to rest in the fridge for about 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the tart case in the oven and bake blind for 20 minutes. Remove the beans and paper, then bake for a further 5-10 minutes, or until the pastry is golden. Set aside. Leave the oven on.

While the tart case is baking, put the garlic cloves in a small saucepan and cover with plenty of water. Bring to simmer and blanch for 3 minutes, then drain well.

Dry the saucepan, return the cloves to it and add two tablespoons of oil.

Fry the garlic cloves on a high heat for 2 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar and water and bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 10 minutes.
Add the sugar, rosemary, chopped thyme and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Continue simmering on a medium flame for minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated and the garlic cloves are coated in a dark caramel syrup. Set aside.

Break both types of goat’s cheese into pieces and scatter in the pastry case. Spoon the caramelised garlic cloves and syrup evenly over the cheese.

In a jug, whisk together the eggs, creams, 1/2 teaspoon salt and some black pepper. Pour this custard over the tart filling to fill the gaps, making sure that you can still see the garlic and cheese over the surface.

Reduce the oven to 170C/325F and place the tart inside.

Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the tart filling has set and the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and leave to cool a little.

Remove from the tin and place a few sprigs of thyme on top and serve warm with a crisp green salad.