Rhubarb and orange custard tart

This delicious dessert has the satisfyingly smooth texture of a custard tart, with added tang and zest coming from the rhubarb and orange

Serves: 8
Prep time: 25 mins plus chilling time

Ingredients

1 x 375g dessert pastry
flour, for dusting
400g rhubarb
80g granulated sugar
30g unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 tablespoons caster sugar
3 tablespoons ground almonds
zest of 1 small orange
2 large eggs
75ml double cream
icing sugar, to dust

Preparation

Roll out the pastry on a floured surface and use to line a 24cm loose-based tart tin. Cover with clingfilm and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 160°C, fan 140°C, gas 3.

Wash and trim the rhubarb and cut into 3cm lengths. Place in an ovenproof dish, sprinkle with the granulated sugar and cover with foil. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until just tender but still holding its shape. Leave to cool completely. When the rhubarb is cold, strain it, reserving the juice.

Increase the oven temperature to 200°C, fan 180°C, gas 6. Line the pastry case with baking parchment and fill with baking beans or uncooked rice. Bake 'blind' for 18–20 minutes, removing the beans and baking parchment for the last 5 minutes. Set aside and reduce the oven temperature to 180°C, fan 160°C, gas 4.

Meanwhile, cream the butter with the caster sugar in a bowl using an electric hand mixer. Add the almonds and orange zest, then the eggs, one at a time. Add the double cream and 100ml reserved rhubarb juice, and stir in gently.

Spoon the baked rhubarb over the pastry base and carefully pour over the cream mixture. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until set and lightly browned. Allow to cool – this tart is best eaten at room temperature – then dust with icing sugar.