Exotic Bionaturals: Halloween Tart

Halloween is around, and we can't wait to have yummy candies, cupcakes, and treats. Though Halloween is spooky and a little scary,  it's the most awaited because of all the lip-smacking delicacies that we get to enjoy on the eve. For all your guests who will join you in the celebration, here is a delicious recipe for a saffron tart made of carved out pumpkin flesh, which is perfect for the Halloween feast.

Ingredients For The Recipe:

• 4 cups of diced pumpkin
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
• 3 Eggs
• 250 ml double cream
• 50g parmesan cheese
• A pinch of saffron
• 1 tbsp hot milk
• 225g plain flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 50g chilled butter, cubed

Method Of Preparation:

Let's start with making the pastry. First of all, combine the flour, butter, and salt in a bowl, and mix it properly until it reaches a breadcrumb-like consistency. Add 3 tbsp of water and work it well. You can add more water if required to form a ball of dough. Then sprinkle some flour on a dry surface and knead the dough until it becomes soft.

Next, take the dough and roll it flat with the rolling pin. Line the rolled dough in the baking dish and smoothen it gently at the edge. Then keep it in the refrigerator for the next 20 minutes. When the pastry gets chilled enough, take a fork and start pricking the base. After pricking, spread a layer of baking beans, and then put it in the oven for 15 minutes.

Take the dish out of the oven and remove the layer of the baking beans. Then put it back for five more minutes so that it gets baked to a beautiful golden color. Take it out, and keep it aside to cool.

Now let's make the filling. Place the diced pumpkin in a foil and roast it in the oven for around 40 minutes, or till it becomes mushy. Then let it cool for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, add the saffron strands to the hot milk and soak it for around 10-15 minutes. Once cooled, combine the pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon powder, and ground ginger into a food processor and blend it till it forms a fine puree.

In another bowl, beat the eggs, cream, saffron milk, and half of the parmesan cheese together. Then mix in the pureed pumpkin as well. Spread the pumpkin mixture into the pastry and sprinkle over the rest of the cheese on the top.

Now for the last step, bake your dish in the oven for about 30 minutes at 200C. You will see that the filling will set and get a beautiful golden color at the top. Take the dish out and let it cool for a while. Your saffron pumpkin tart is ready to be served.

This recipe by Chatterking.com isn't not only tasty but also easy to make. So invite all your friends and the little kids trick-or-treating around, and let them appreciate your culinary skills as they taste this delicacy made by you.  

Happy Halloween!