French custard tart (Far Breton) and discombobulated headmasters
Yesterday afternoon, equipped with wetsuit and flippers (I won’t harp on about the weather — let’s just say that we’re in no imminent danger of drought), I sailed through white water torrents to fetch Léo. Upon arrival in front of the school, the car, possibly rebelling at being mistaken for a catamaran, spluttered and died. I had to comandeer several classmates and their mothers to help move the catamaran/car out of the way, the aim being that we would push while Léo steered to a less hazardous spot. So much for my theory; what actually happened is that he somehow managed to jump start the wretched thing, leaving us ‘pushers’ face-down in a puddle, our arms stretched out in front of us. I thought it probably best to avoid convoluted explanations with the headmaster who was looking, quite frankly, more than a little bewildered by the sight of one of his eleven-year-old pupils driving around the school car park with his squealing, hand-flapping, mud-speckled mother in wet pursuit…
This ‘Breton Far’ originated in Brittany in the 18th century, when it was served as a savoury accompaniment made with buckwheat flour. Today it has become a traditional dessert and is often filled with dried fruit such as raisins or prunes. The sweet version is usually now made with plain flour and white sugar, but I have made my own version, which is just as good, if not better and certainly far healthier. The combination of whole flours, eggs and honey makes for a low GI dessert.
If you replace sugar with honey in a recipe you should halve the quantity as honey has double the sweetening power. Because honey is metabolised differently from sugar in the body and, as such, does not cause insulin spikes, it can be enjoyed in moderation without any of the downsides of other sweeteners and all of the upsides of eating honey. You should also slightly lower the cooking temperature when cooking with honey as it ‘browns’ more quickly than sugar.
Ingredients (serves 6-8)
60g buckwheat flour
60g whole spelt flour
4 free-range eggs, beaten
65g honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons rum (optional)
500ml organic milk
120g dried, stoned prunes
Grease a rectangular oven-proof dish (roughly 22cm) and preheat the oven to 180°C. Pour the eggs, honey, vanilla, rum and flours into a large mixing bowl and beat well for about five minutes. Add the milk and beat for a a few minutes more. Garnish the bottom of the dish with the prunes and then pour in the mixture. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the mixture is no longer runny (or squelchy!). You may have to pierce the ‘skin’ after about 30 minutes. Best served chilled.
14 Comments
apuginthekitchen
You’re so funny, the visual of Leo driving the car, you and other pushers face down on the wet ground and a stern head mistress looking on in disapproval/disbelief has me in stitches. I actually have had this or a very similar dessert before and it’s delicious! I like your healthier version.
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you Suzanne! It’s quite a typical dessert in Southern Europe – I’d never seen it in the US though. Maybe there’s an Italian version? Is your finger any better?
Butter, Basil and Breadcrumbs
Oh my gosh… not to laugh at your mishap… but I did. I laughed through your whole story… what a sight that had to be.. 🙂
What a sight this lovely custard tart is.. a well deserved treat for you. And of course, now for me. 🙂
Wonderful post!
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you! And you’re allowed to laugh – I certainly did when telling my husband about it. Apparently Léo’s friends were all talking about it today, along the lines ‘how cool is he? He can repair his mother’s car!’
laurasmess
Hahaa, I love the way you write. I never fail to have a chuckle when reading your posts! Like other readers, I can picture the entire event in my head including the mud-speckled, hand-flailing mother! You poor thing! Anyway, back to this absolutely delicious looking tart. Wow. Just seeing the ingredient list has immediately won me over… rum and prunes? Yes please! x
The Healthy Epicurean
Thank you Laura – rum and prunes is definitely good news!
Andrea Mynard
Definitely going to be trying this. I love custard tarts and this looks a beautifully healthy version. We’re in no danger of a draught here either, so need something comforting too.
The Healthy Epicurean
Thanks! -If you make it do let me know what you think. I see that South West England is really flooded too so you’ll understand the need for comfort food!
andreamynard
Ps I made your lovely coral lentil soup this week and thoroughly enjoyed it for lunch. Thank you!
The Healthy Epicurean
Oh good! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Ayesha (Miss Spicy Hat n' Sugar Socks)
Custard tarts are my favorite, I make chocolate ones. However, I just may twist this to make a chocolate custard tart…Thanks for the recipe 🙂
The Healthy Epicurean
Oooh a chocolate one sounds like a good idea – you’ve inspired me! Please let me know how it turns out
annelifaiers
I love custard tarts too…funny things though, the idea of set cold custard doesn’t sound great but the reality is delicious! Yours looks just perfect. x
The Healthy Epicurean
Yes you’re right – when you think about it custard tart is pretty vile, but it just works somehow!