Additional Ingredients

8	Figs cut into quarters
2 tsp	Olive Oil
100 grams	Lardons
150 grams	Mascarpone Cheese
2	Free Range Eggs beaten
50 ml	Milk
2 tsp	Thyme Leaves chopped fresh
150 grams	Dolcelatte cheese crumbled
	Salt
	Pepper

How to make Eric Lanlard's Fig, Lardon and Dolcelatte Tart

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1. Lightly grease a 24 x 7cm (9. x 3in), 3cm (1.in) deep tart tin, or a tin of similar dimensions.
2. To make the pastry, place the flour, salt and chopped walnuts in a bowl and rub in the chilled butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the egg yolk, then gradually add enough of the chilled water until the mixture comes together to form a firm dough – add the water a little at a time, to prevent the mixture from becoming too sticky.
3. Roll the dough out on a floured surface and line the tin (see tip).
4. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200°C /fan 180°C/400°F/gas 6. Once chilled, prick the pastry all over with a fork, cover with a sheet of greaseproof paper and fill the tin with baking beans. Blind bake for 20 minutes, then remove the paper and beans and bake for a further 10 minutes, or until the pastry begins to turn golden.
6. Arrange the figs in circles, to cover the base of the tart tin. Put into the oven and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until they begin to soften. Heat the oil in a frying pan and lightly fry the lardons until they just begin to colour. Remove from the heat and set aside.
7. Place the mascarpone in a medium-sized bowl and stir to soften, then add the beaten eggs and milk and stir until you have a smooth mixture. Season with a little salt and pepper and add the chopped thyme.
8. Scatter the cooked lardons and the crumbled dolcelatte over the top of the softened figs, then pour over the mascarpone and egg mixture. Finally, sprinkle over some small sprigs of thyme and bake in the oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the filling is set and golden.
9. I like this tart served at room temperature, with some lightly dressed salad leaves.

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