Strawberry and custard tart recipe

Two flavours that were made for each other - this strawberry and custard tart makes a delicious dessert, and is perfect for afternoon tea too

Ingredients

For the pastry:

• 340g packet sweet dessert pastry
• Beaten egg, for glaze

For the filling:

• 2 level tsp powdered gelatine
• ½ x 500g carton chilled vanilla custard
• 500g (1lb) small strawberries, hulled
• 35g sachet of red Quick Jel
• Sprigs of mint, for decoration
• 23cm (9in) fluted flan tin

Method

1. Set the oven to gas mark 4 or 180°C. Roll pastry out on a lightly floured surface and use it to line the flan tin. Chill for about 12-15 mins before cooking.
2. Cover the pastry case with a sheet of baking parchment and fill with baking beans. Place flan tin on a baking sheet and bake, in centre of the oven, for 10 mins. Remove from the oven and take out baking parchment with the baking beans. Brush the pastry with the egg glaze. Return to the oven and cook for a further 10 mins or until the pastry is light golden and cooked through.
3. Remove from the oven. Leave pastry case to cool in tin for about 10 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Measure 2tbsp water into a bowl and sprinkle in the gelatine. Leave gelatine to sponge for a few mins, then melt it either in a microwave or over a pan of hot water. Stir the melted gelatine into the vanilla custard.
5. Place pastry case on serving plate. Pour custard into it. Chill case until custard sets. Quarter the strawberries and scatter them on top of tart. Make up the Quick Jel following packet instructions, and spoon over the strawberries. Leave to set. Decorate with mint just before serving.