Leek, Mushroom and Emmental Tarts by Liz Robb

These tasty savoury tartlets are useful for so many occasions; as a starter for a dinner party, as a buffet dish, to hand around at parties, for a picnic or, if there are any left over, as a treat in lunchboxes. They taste just as good hot or cold!
 

I like to use emmental cheese because I think the mild, nutty flavour goes really well with the garlicy leek and mushroom filling, but if you prefer a cheese with a stronger flavour then choose fresh parmesan or a mature cheddar instead.

 

50g wholemeal flour

50g white self-raising flour

Salt and freshly milled black pepper

50g butter

Cold water

 

For the filling:

1 leek

100g chestnut mushrooms

1 fat clove of garlic

A large knob of butter

80g grated emmental cheese

2 large eggs

3 tablespoons of double cream

Salt and freshly milled black pepper

Fresh nutmeg

 

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees, 160 degrees fan oven.
 

2. To make the pastry, place the wholemeal flour into a large bowl then sift in the self-raising flour. Add a good pinch of salt and a grinding of black pepper. Cut the slightly softened butter into small pieces, drop them into the flour and rub in until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Gradually add just enough cold water to form a dough that is not too sticky; I used 2 tablespoons. Leave in the fridge, wrapped in cling film or a plastic bag, for about half an hour.
 

3. Trim and wash the leek, discarding any tough outer leaves, then halve it lengthways and slice very finely. Wipe the mushrooms and chop finely. Peel the garlic clove.
 

4. To make the filling, heat the butter in a saucepan and sauté the leek for 3-4 minutes over a low heat, then add the crushed garlic and the mushrooms and cook for a further few minutes. 
 

5. Lightly grease a patty tin. Roll out the pastry fairly thinly on a lightly floured surface and cut out circles with a cutter, pressing them gently into the prepared tin.
 

6. Spoon the leek mixture into the tarts, sharing it equally between them, then drop the grated emmental on top.
 

7. Beat the eggs in a bowl, add the double cream, season well with salt and black pepper, and then whisk it all together thoroughly. Using a spoon, carefully fill each little tart with the egg mixture, making sure that it trickles down to cover the cheese and vegetables. Sprinkle with a little nutmeg.
 

8. Place into the preheated oven to bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is cooked through and the topping is golden brown.