Great British Caramelized Onion Goat Cheese Tart

Great British Caramelized Onion Goat Cheese Tart

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Preparation time:45 Mins

Cooking time:45 Mins

Servings:8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour (Plus extra for dusting)
• 8 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, very cold, cut into ½ inch cubes
• ½ tsp Salt (fine grain)
• 1 Large Egg Yolk
• 3–4 Tbsp Ice Water
• 3 large Yellow Onions, sliced thinly and evenly
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tsp Brown Sugar (optional, or Balsamic Glaze)
• 1 Tbsp Fresh Thyme Leaves, stripped from stems
• Salt and Black Pepper, To taste
• 7 oz Soft Goat Cheese Log, crumbled
• 2 Large Eggs, lightly whisked
• ½ cup Heavy Cream (Double Cream)
• Pinch of Nutmeg, freshly grated

Instructions:

• Combine Dry Ingredients: Pulse the flour and salt in a food processor (or use your fingers in a bowl).
• Cut in the Butter: Add the cold butter cubes. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand or small peas, keeping the process quick to maintain cold temperature.
• Bind the Dough: Add the egg yolk and drizzle in the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing until the dough just comes together. Form the dough into a flat disc, wrap tightly in cling film, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
• Sweat Onions: Heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a heavy pan. Add the sliced onions and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften and become translucent (about 15 minutes).
• Caramelize: Reduce the heat to low. Continue cooking, stirring every 5–10 minutes, for 25–30 minutes more, until the onions are deep golden brown and sticky. Add brown sugar/balsamic if using. Stir in the fresh thyme leaves. Remove from heat and allow the filling to cool completely.
• Roll and Fit Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a 12-inch (30 cm) circle. Carefully drape the dough over a 9-inch tart tin with a removable bottom and gently press it into the bottom and sides. Trim the excess pastry and prick the base all over with a fork.
• Blind Bake: Freeze the lined tin for 15 minutes to prevent shrinkage. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line the chilled shell with parchment paper, fill with baking weights, and bake for 15 minutes. Carefully remove weights and parchment, return the shell to the oven, and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the base is dry and lightly golden. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
• Prepare Custard: Whisk the eggs, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until well combined.
• Layer and Pour: Scatter half of the crumbled goat cheese over the base of the blind-baked shell. Spread the cooled caramelized onions evenly over the cheese. Pour the egg custard mixture gently over the filling. Sprinkle the remaining goat cheese on top.
• Final Bake: Bake in the preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is golden brown.
• Cool and Serve: Allow the tart to rest on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before attempting to slice. Serve warm or cold.

Nutrition Facts

Calories	400 kcal
Protein	11 g
Fat	30 g
Carbs	21 g
Fiber	2 g
Sodium	400 mg

Recipe Info

Category	Main Course, Appetizer, Lunch
Cuisine	British

Stop Scrolling: The Ultimate Savoury Tart You Need

Gosh, sometimes you just need a recipe that looks incredibly fancy but isn't actually difficult, right? If you are deep diving into food tart recipes today, you can stop scrolling now.

This one is the secret weapon of every good home cook.

I’m talking about my signature savoury goat cheese tart . This recipe uses that deep, sticky sweetness you get from a proper caramelized onion and thyme recipe .

Honestly, it's comfort food that decided to put on a tuxedo.

Why This Tart Beats Everything

This dish is a world away from your average quiche lorraine vs savoury tart . It skips the heavy custards and leans into powerful, clean flavours.

It’s got that bistro elegance, making it one of the best dinner party tart recipes out there.

Plus, it keeps well, so it’s fantastic for easy picnic lunch ideas . My mother used to make something similar. She'd always stress about the crust.

The tricky bit is the pastry, but we’re going to master making classic pâte brisée together. Even if you think you’re only ready for shortcrust pastry for beginners , trust me, we have shortcuts.

The Secret is Patience (And Goat Cheese!)

The key to unlocking the true depth of this tart is time. Did you know that slowly caramelizing onions is one of the top five tasks chefs agree takes the longest? We are aiming for that genuine great british caramelized onion tart flavour, which means low and slow.

No rushing allowed!

The rich, sweet onion provides the perfect backdrop for the sharp tang of the goat cheese. It is a stunning flavour combination, similar to a fancy goat cheese and shallot tart .

Beyond the amazing taste, the main benefit here is flexibility. You can bake it the night before and serve it cold. It's a great make-ahead dish!

Cracking the Crust Code

We also need to talk about avoiding the dreaded "soggy bottom" – that is a tragedy we must prevent! We will spend a little time learning how to blind bake a tart crust properly.

That step is crucial, seriously.

Once you nail that crispy base, the rest is just assembly. Pour in the beautiful mix of eggs and cream, sprinkle over that sharp cheese, and Bob's your uncle.

Ready to bake something truly amazing? Let’s gather the few, simple ingredients needed to create this showstopper.

Getting Started: Kit, Crust, and the Secret to a Crisp Base

Right then, let’s get down to the brass tacks. When you start looking at food tart recipes , especially savoury ones, the ingredients are often simple.

The trick is how you treat them. This great british caramelized onion tart relies on technique. It’s the king of best dinner party tart recipes for a reason!

The Magic is in the Pastry

Honestly, I used to dread making classic pâte brisée . I had so many crust disasters. Soggy bottoms were my nemesis! But trust me, making the base is key for this lovely savoury goat cheese tart .

For the perfect shortcrust pastry for beginners , you need 1 ½ cups (180g) of plain flour. Crucially, the butter must be very cold.

Use 8 Tbsp (115g) cut into tiny cubes. If your kitchen is warm, chill your flour first. That coldness stops the gluten forming too quickly.

We want short, not tough!

Essential Equipment Confessions

You don't need fancy restaurant gear. Just grab a 9-inch (23 cm) tart tin. Make absolutely sure it has a removable loose bottom.

Seriously, this is non-negotiable! Trying to serve a tart without one is a recipe for tears. You will also need baking weights.

I use ceramic weights now. But honestly, a bag of dried rice or old kidney beans works just fine for how to blind bake a tart crust .

It’s essential for structural integrity. Speaking of integrity, remember that this is a hearty tart. It’s much richer than a light quiche lorraine vs savoury tart .

Seasoning and Sweet Patience

Now for the star of the show. The caramelized onion and thyme recipe requires patience, my friend. I once tried to rush the onions, cranked the heat, and they turned into bitter mush.

Learn from my mistake! You need three large yellow onions, sliced thin. Cook them low and slow in olive oil for about 40 minutes.

Low heat forever! They should be jammy and dark brown. Stir in the fresh thyme leaves right at the end.

That thyme really makes the flavour pop. This filling would also be perfect in a goat cheese and shallot tart .

For the custard, a simple mix of eggs and cream. Add a tiny pinch of freshly grated nutmeg. That unexpected warmth is what makes this one of the best easy picnic lunch ideas .

Finally, the goat cheese. We use 7 oz (200g) of the soft stuff. Don't crumble it too finely. We want those soft, salty pockets melting into the custard.

It’s pure delight. Bob’s your uncle, you’re ready to fill and bake!

Getting Ready: The Secret to No Soggy Bottoms

Honestly, when I started experimenting with food tart recipes , I was terrified. Soggy bottoms gave me nightmares! But this great british caramelized onion tart is totally worth mastering.

It is easily one of the best dinner party tart recipes you can make. We are making a beautiful savoury goat cheese tart today.

It's pure comfort, elevated.

Prep Steps: Being a Mise en Place Master

Organisation saves so much time, mate. We need two things ready to go. First, the pastry. If you are making classic pâte brisée , remember the golden rule: everything must be icy cold.

Slice your butter into tiny cubes. Keep them chilling until the very last second.

Next, the onions. Slice those bad boys thinly and evenly. This ensures they cook down properly for our sticky, sweet caramelized onion and thyme recipe .

Safety quick reminder: watch your fingers when slicing! Now, everything is in place. Easy peasy.

Cooking the Magic: Low and Slow

The filling is the star here. You cannot rush flavour.

1. Caramelize: Heat oil over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and salt. Keep the heat super gentle. Cook for a long time—around 40 minutes total. Stir occasionally until they turn deep golden and jammy. This slow process is key to the true goat cheese and shallot tart flavour.
2. Blind Bake Prep: Roll your chilled pastry for the perfect shortcrust pastry for beginners . Fit it into your tart tin. Freeze it for 15 minutes . This prevents that awful shrinkage!
3. Blind Bake: Preheat your oven to 400° F ( 200° C) . Line the frozen shell with baking weights. Bake for 15 minutes .
4. Dry Out: Carefully remove the weights. Bake for another 5 minutes . That’s how to blind bake a tart crust perfectly crisp. Reduce the oven temperature to 350° F ( 175° C).
5. Assemble: Layer the cooled onions and crumbled goat cheese inside. Pour in the quick egg and cream custard.
6. Final Bake: Bake for 25– 30 minutes . The centre should just barely wobble when gently tapped. That means it’s set.

Pro Tips and Avoiding Disaster

Don't panic about the wobble! That means it's done. My absolute top tip for avoiding a structural collapse? Place the tart tin on a heavy, preheated baking sheet before you put it in the oven.

It gives the base a huge heat boost.

If you are prepping this for great easy picnic lunch ideas , slightly underbake it by five minutes. Let it cool completely.

Then reheat it later for 10 minutes at 350° F. Honestly, deciding between this and a slice of classic quiche lorraine vs savoury tart is the hardest part of the day.

Bob’s your uncle, enjoy!

Recipe Notes: Eating, Storing, and Tweaking Your Tart

Right, you've nailed the making classic pâte brisée and got that beautiful, deep golden caramelized onion and thyme recipe filling ready.

Now what? This isn't just one of those standard food tart recipes . This great british caramelized onion tart is seriously versatile.

Let's talk about the practical stuff—how to eat it, keep it, and adapt it. Honestly, this is one of the best dinner party tart recipes because it looks so fancy but is dead easy once you know how to blind bake a tart crust .

Presentation & Pairing: Making It Look the Business

Forget the debate of quiche lorraine vs savoury tart . This beauty is a showstopper. Because it’s a savoury goat cheese tart , it needs sharp contrast.

I always serve it with peppery rocket (arugula) leaves. A simple drizzle of good quality balsamic glaze on the plate next to the slice? Chef's kiss! I learned this trick hosting my first big dinner party—it instantly elevates the plate.

The best part? It’s fantastic served warm or cold. That flexibility makes it perfect for easy picnic lunch ideas . I find a crisp English cider or a dry Sauvignon Blanc complements the acidity of the goat cheese beautifully.

Keeping It Fresh: Leftovers Lifespan

The biggest worry with shortcrust pastry for beginners is the dreaded soggy bottom the next day, right? Don't stress!

Keep the tart covered loosely with foil in the fridge for up to 3 days . To reheat, absolutely do not microwave it! That’s a tragedy waiting to happen.

Put slices on a baking sheet and pop them in a moderate oven (around 160° C / 325° F ) for about 8 to 10 minutes.

This little blast of dry heat crisps the bottom right back up.

Mix It Up! Dietary Swaps & Seasonality

Love the idea of the tang but not the onion work? Try making a slightly faster goat cheese and shallot tart instead. Shallots caramelize even faster, winning!

Need to go gluten-free? Swap the flour in the pâte brisée for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Honestly, the results are shockingly good now.

For a seasonal change, in autumn, swap the thyme for rosemary. Try tossing some thinly sliced sweet apples into the caramelized onion filling before the custard goes in—it sounds mad, but the fruit-cheese combo is brilliant.

The Good Stuff (Simplified)

Look, this isn't kale salad, but it’s real, homemade food. You get great protein from the eggs and calcium from the goat cheese .

It’s rich, yes, but that means a small slice is totally satisfying. It's balanced because of the massive amount of slow-cooked vegetables (those sweet, sweet onions!).

One fun fact I read: Slow cooking onions this way actually increases their prebiotic fiber content. Win!

Go on, give this savoury goat cheese tart a whirl. You've mastered the pastry; now enjoy the rewards. Happy baking, mates!