Perfect little smackerel – Custard Tarts

By Vanita, August 12, 2013

Custard Tarts are the simplest and easiest to put together for a dinner party. This simple English classic is typically prepared with eggs. I for one, use the packet custard. You can dress it up in many ways – fruits, whipped cream, sprinklers, chocolate curls or anything that you like!

Makes about 12 – 14 medium tarts

Short crust pastry

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup very cold butter cut into tiny cubes
A pinch of salt
2 tbsp brown sugar
4 tbsp ice cold water to bind

For the custard

8 tbsp custard powder
1-2 tbsp sugar
1 litre milk (set aside cold milk – 1/4 cup to make the custard paste)

Fruits for garnish

Strawberry
Kiwi
A sprig of mint
Australian Grapes

Getting the tarts ready:

Sieve the flour, salt and baking powder
Add sugar and butter.
Combine using hand or a hand beater till the mixture turns crumbly
Use cold water to bind and form a dough
Chill for 20 minutes and roll.
Place in tart cups and bake for 10-12 minutes in gas mark 4

Custard

Bring to boil the remaining milk with sugar stirring continuously
As it begins to boil, add the set aside custard paste. Simmer at this point.
It will thicken immediately and continue stirring for about 2-3 minutes.
Turn off gas and remove from heat
Transfer to silicon molds and set or simply set in a glass bowl

Getting the fruits ready

Always cut the fruits just before serving. They will look fresh
You can choose to decorate the way you wish since there are no hard and fast rules on assembling fruits