Elegant Savory Breakfast Tart
This Elegant Savory Breakfast Tart is a crowd-pleaser that transforms breakfast into a luxurious dining experience. Perfect for any gathering - be it a leisurely brunch, festive potluck, or an office brunch event - this tart is sure to impress. The delightful combination of crispy bacon, smoky ham, creamy cheeses, and fresh herbs nestled in a buttery crust creates a harmonious flavor profile that is both satisfying and elegant. Don't let the lengthy ingredient list deter you! This recipe can be simplified with some clever shortcuts. Prepping the crust ahead of time and freezing it, allows you to whip this up with minimal fuss. For a unique twist, consider serving this tart with fresh coffee and fruit juice for a complete meal. For those looking to lighten the dish, the tart can be made crustless, transforming it into a delightful crustless quiche!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
24
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
4 cups (none)
white sugar
1 tablespoon (none)
baking powder
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
2 teaspoons (none)
shortening
1 3/4 cups (chilled)
cold water
1/2 cup (none)
egg
1 (none)
vinegar
1 tablespoon (none)
bacon
8 slices (cooked and crumbled)
butter
1 tablespoon (melted)
chopped onion
1/2 cup (sautéed)
finely diced smoked ham
1/3 cup (none)
heavy cream
3 cups (none)
beaten eggs
8 (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (none)
fresh basil
3 tablespoons (finely chopped)
fresh thyme
1 tablespoon (minced)
cream cheese
3 ounces (diced small)
shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (none)
shredded monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup (none)
chopped green onion
1 bunch (none)
sliced almonds
1/3 cup (none)
Instructions
1
In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in chilled shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2
In a separate bowl, mix together cold water, egg, and vinegar. Gradually add this mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overwork the dough. Divide the dough into two pieces, wrap in plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
3
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece of dough into a round shape. Carefully fit the rolled-out dough into two 10-inch tart pans.
4
Blind bake the tart shells in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool completely before filling.
5
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crisp. Remove from the skillet, drain on paper towels, crumble and set aside.
6
In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onion until translucent.
7
Divide the cooked ham, crumbled bacon, and sautéed onion equally between the tart shells, creating a savory base.
8
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and beaten eggs. Add salt, black pepper, nutmeg, basil, and thyme; mix well.
9
Pour the egg mixture over the bacon mixture in each tart shell. Randomly place small cubes of cream cheese and sprinkle both Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses on top.
10
Finish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions and sliced almonds.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until the filling is set and a light golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before slicing into wedges and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Elegant Savory Breakfast Tart?
It is a luxurious breakfast dish featuring a buttery, flaky crust filled with a savory mixture of bacon, smoked ham, various cheeses, and fresh herbs.
What occasions is this tart suitable for?
This tart is perfect for brunch, festive potlucks, office breakfast events, or any gathering where you want to serve a sophisticated meal.
Can I make the crust in advance?
Yes, you can prep the crust ahead of time and freeze it to simplify the process on the day you plan to bake.
Is there a crustless version of this recipe?
Absolutely, you can omit the crust to transform this recipe into a delightful crustless quiche.
What should I serve with the Elegant Savory Breakfast Tart?
It pairs beautifully with fresh coffee and fruit juice for a complete and elegant breakfast meal.
What types of meat are included in the filling?
The filling includes 8 slices of cooked and crumbled bacon and 1/3 cup of finely diced smoked ham.
Which cheeses are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for a combination of cream cheese, shredded Cheddar cheese, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
What herbs and spices provide the flavor profile?
The tart is seasoned with fresh basil, fresh thyme, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper.
How many tarts does this recipe produce?
This recipe is designed to make two 10-inch tarts.
What is the required oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long does the dough need to chill?
The dough should be wrapped in plastic and chilled in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before rolling.
What is the purpose of blind baking the crust?
Blind baking ensures the crust is fully cooked and golden brown before the wet egg mixture is added, preventing it from becoming soggy.
How long should I blind bake the tart shells?
The empty tart shells should be baked for 15 to 20 minutes or until they are golden brown.
What ingredients are needed for the crust?
The crust is made from all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, chilled shortening, cold water, one egg, and vinegar.
Why is vinegar used in the tart dough?
Vinegar is often added to pastry dough to help tenderize the crust by inhibiting gluten development.
How do I prepare the bacon for the filling?
Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, then drain on paper towels and crumble it.
What is the base of the custard filling?
The custard base is made by whisking together 3 cups of heavy cream and 8 beaten eggs.
How are the onions prepared for the tart?
The onions are chopped and then sautéed in melted butter until they become translucent.
How is the cream cheese added to the tart?
Small cubes of cream cheese are placed randomly over the meat and egg mixture before baking.
What provides the topping for the tart?
The tart is finished with a sprinkle of chopped green onions and sliced almonds for texture and flavor.
What is the total baking time for the filled tart?
The filled tart needs to bake for 45 to 55 minutes.
How do I know when the tart is done?
The tart is ready when the filling is set and the top has reached a light golden brown color.
Should I let the tart cool before serving?
Yes, allow the tart to cool slightly before slicing it into wedges and serving.
What kind of flour is best for the crust?
All-purpose flour is the recommended type for this recipe.
Can I use butter instead of shortening in the crust?
While the recipe specifies shortening for its specific texture, butter can often be substituted if preferred.
How should I cut the shortening into the flour?
Cut the chilled shortening into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
What size tart pans are recommended?
The recipe specifically calls for two 10-inch tart pans.
Is the ham cooked before being added to the tart?
The recipe uses finely diced smoked ham, which is already cooked and just needs to be distributed into the shells.
What is the preparation for the fresh basil and thyme?
The fresh basil should be finely chopped and the fresh thyme should be minced.
Can this recipe be simplified?
Yes, you can use clever shortcuts like pre-made crusts or preparing the dough ahead of time to reduce effort on the day of serving.