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Lemon Curd Tart with Olive Oil

Even if you consider yourself a cook and not a baker, you can manage this recipe from Les Petits Farcis in Nice, France. The shortbread-like almond crust is a pleasingly rich base for the delicate custard. Try using Meyer lemons or adding minced rosemary to the crust.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

For tart shell

2 tablespoons almonds with skins, toasted and cooled
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
Pinch of fine sea salt
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 large egg yolk
3 1/2 tablespoons fruity olive oil, preferably French

For lemon curd

3 large lemons
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 large eggs plus 2 large yolks
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons fruity olive oil, preferably French
Special equipment: 9-inch round tart pan with removable bottom; small offset spatula

Preparation

  1. Make tart shell

    Step 1

    Pulse the almonds with the flour, sugar, and salt to a fine powder in a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some small (roughly pea-size) butter lumps.

    Step 2

    Add the yolk and oil and pulse until just incorporated and a very soft dough has formed. Spread the dough evenly over the bottom and up the side of a 9-inch round tart pan with an offset spatula. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.

    Step 3

    Preheat the oven to 425°F, with the rack in the middle.

    Step 4

    Line shell with foil or parchment and weight it with dried beans or pie weights. Bake the shell until golden brown all over, about 13 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes.

  2. Make lemon curd

    Step 5

    Grate enough zest from the lemons to measure 1 tablespoon, then squeeze 3/4 cup juice from the lemons.

    Step 6

    Whisk together the lemon zest and juice, sugar, cornstarch, and whole eggs and yolks in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, and boil, still whisking, for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter and oil until smooth.

  3. Assemble tart

    Step 7

    Pour the lemon curd into the cooled shell and chill until set, at least 2 hours.

  4. Do ahead

    Step 8

    The TART SHELL can be made 1 day ahead and kept, loosely covered, at room temperature.

    Step 9

    The ASSEMBLED TART can be chilled up to 4 hours.

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