Flamiche Aux Poireaux (Leek Tart)
- 1 13 cups unbleached flour
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 to 5 tablespoons ice water
- 12 small leeks (about 3 pounds)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup creme fraiche or heavy cream
- 4 slices unsmoked ham, such as prosciutto, coarsely chopped
- 3/4 cup grated Gruyere-style cheese, such as Comte
- In a food processor, process the flour, butter and salt until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about 10 seconds.
- Add three tablespoons of water and process for three seconds.
- Pinch the dough, and if it does not hold together, add additional water and process for several more seconds.
- Be careful not to overmix.
- The dough should not form a ball.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead, just until it forms a ball.
- Wrap the pastry in plastic wrap and flatten into a disk.
- Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough to line a 10 1/2-inch tart pan.
- Carefully transfer the dough to the pan.
- Chill for another 30 minutes, or until firm.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Trim the leeks at the root.
- Cut off and discard the fibrous, dark green portion.
- Split the leeks lengthwise for easier cleaning and rinse in cold water until no grit appears.
- Coarsely chop the leeks.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat, add the leeks, salt and pepper and cook, covered, until the leeks are very soft, about 20 minutes.
- They should not brown.
- If the leeks have given up an excessive amount of liquid, drain them in a colander.
- Combine the eggs and creme fraiche in a medium-size bowl, mixing until thoroughly blended.
- Add the leeks and mix again.
- Reserve a quarter cup each of the cheese and the ham to sprinkle on top of the tart.
- Mix the rest into the leek mixture.
- Pour the leek mixture into the prepared tart tin.
- Sprinkle with the ham, then the cheese.
- Season generously with freshly ground black pepper.
- Bake until nicely browned, 40 to 45 minutes.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
flour, unsalted butter, salt, water, leeks, unsalted butter, salt, freshly ground black pepper, eggs, creme fraiche, ham, cheese
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/10551 (may not work)