Lemon Tart | Recipe

If you have a tree overflowing with lemons, this recipe is a great way to use them up. You will need about four lemons for this recipe. I love the tartness and the silky texture of this lemony tart, and the crust is a versatile gluten-free beauty.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
• 160ml (¾ cup) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 85g (¼ cup) rice malt syrup
• 180g (¾ cup) mascarpone
• 4 eggs, plus 1 egg extra, lightly beaten, for brushing
• cream, crème fraîche or creamy yoghurt, to serve (optional)
• Almond Pastry Crust
• 240g (2 cups) almond meal
• 2 tablespoons coconut flour
• ½ teaspoon monk fruit extract powder (optional)
• 60g virgin coconut oil, chilled to solidify then roughly chopped
• 1 egg
• 2–4 teaspoons iced water

Serves: 10-12

Method

Preheat the oven to 160°C (fan-forced).

For the almond pastry crust, place the almond meal, coconut flour, monk fruit extract powder (if using) and solid coconut oil in a food processor and pulse until the coconut oil is mixed evenly throughout the mixture – you will still see small flecks of the solid coconut oil. Add the egg and, with the processor running, add enough water for the mixture to form coarse crumbs. It should cling together when pressed between your fingertips. Distribute the crumbs evenly over the base and up the side of a fluted 23cm × 3cm round loose-based tart tin, then press the mixture firmly into the base and side of the tin with your fingertips.

Cover the crust with a sheet of non-stick baking paper and fill with baking weights, or dry rice or beans. Blind bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and take out the weights and paper. Brush the crust with the extra beaten egg and bake for a further 10 minutes or until the crust is cooked through and the sides are lightly coloured. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Whisk the lemon zest and juice and rice malt syrup in a bowl until the syrup dissolves. Add the mascarpone and eggs and whisk gently until combined. Try not to whisk too vigorously or you will end up with little bubbles sitting on top of the cooked tart.

Put the cooled crust on a baking tray and place on the oven shelf. Pour the lemon mixture carefully into the crust. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until set with a slight wobble in the centre. Remove from the oven and cool in the tin. Serve at room temperature or chilled with cream, crème fraîche or yoghurt, if desired.