Treacle Tart

*This is a traditional English dessert. The reason I have this recipe on here is that I am a big Harry Potter fan (books & movies), and this is Harry Potter's favorite food.



Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 45 mins
Serves: 8

Ingredients:
Pastry:
1 1/4 cups flour
1 pinch salt
1/4 lb butter, chilled
2 tbs superfine sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tbs ice water

Filling:
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 cup golden syrup (recipe at end of this blog)
2 tbs lemon juice

Garnish
whipped cream

Methods
1. Prepare the pastry as for pie crust and chill for 30 minutes.
2. Roll out for a 9 inch tart pan. Reserve the scraps. Trim the edges and retain the scraps.
3. Preheat oven to 400F
4. Mix oats, zest and ginger and sprinkle half in the pastry.
5. Pour on the syrup and lemon juice and sprinkle rest of oat mixture on top.
6. Roll out any remaining pastry and cut strips to lay a trellis over the tart if desired.
7. Bake for 30 minutes and serve hot or cold.


GOLDEN VANILLA SYRUP
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 25 mins
Makes: 2 1/4 cups

Ingredients:
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, strained
1 tbs light brown sugar

Methods:
1. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean, place seed and bean in a small bowl.
2. Combine granulated sugar and remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add vanilla bean and seeds, stirring gently. Cool syrup to room temperature.
3. Pour syrup and vanilla bean into a glass container. Cover and chill.

*Note: Store in the refridgerator for up to 1 month.