Leek Tart with Aged Goat Cheese

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Summary: Another hit from Molly Wizenberg! I can't tell you how many times I've made this tart, for us, for parties, for catering gigs and for friends. It is a hit every single time and now boasts legions of fans. Scrumptious!
You'll need a 9"-diameter tart pan with removable sides or a deep-dish pie plate for this.
The crust can be made up to three days ahead. The leek confit can be made up to five days ahead.

Yield: serves 6-8

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons (or more) ice water
  • ¾ tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 13 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 large leeks (white and pale green parts only), washed well, halved lengthwise, cut crosswise into ¼"-thick slices (about 5 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • ½ salt
  • ½ cup 2% or whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup crumbled aged goat cheese (I use Bûcheron), rind trimmed
  • 1½ cups leek confit

Instructions

Make the crust: Combine 4 tablespoons ice water and the cider vinegar in a small bowl and set aside. Blend flour and ¾ tsp salt in a food processor. Add 9 tablespoons butter (cut into small cubes) and cut in using on/off turns until the mixture resembles coarse meal. With the machine running, slowly add water-vinegar mixture, processing until moist clumps form. If dough seems dry, add ice water by the teaspoonful (I usually end up adding ~2 more tsp).

Gather dough into a ball, flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 2 hours (you can make this up to 3 days ahead; simply keep refrigerated and let soften slightly at room temp before rolling out).

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375° Fahrenheit. Roll dough out (on waxed paper or a lightly floured surface) to a 12" round. Transfer to 9"-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Press dough onto bottom and up sides, folding in overhang and extending dough 1/2" above sides of pan. Line pan with foil and dried beans or pie weights. Bake until dough looks set and dry, 25-30 minutes. Remove foil and beans and continue to bake until crust is pale golden, 15-20 minutes longer. Remove from oven and cool while preparing rest of tart.

Make the leek confit: Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add leeks and stir to coat. Stir in 2 tablespoons of water and ½ salt. Cover pot and reduce heat to low. Cook until leeks are tender, stirring often, about 25 minutes. Uncover and cook to evaporate excess water, 2-3 mins. (You can make the confit up to 1 week ahead; keep chilled and rewarm before using). This makes about 2 cups of confit, and you'll need just 1½ cups for this tart. Use the rest in eggs, on salmon or on crostini.

Finish the tart: Whisk milk, cream, egg, egg yolk, and salt in a medium bowl until blended. Sprinkle ¼ cup of cheese over the bottom of the warm crust; spread leek confit over, and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Pour milk mixture over. Bake until filling has puffed, is golden in spots and center looks set, 35-40 mins.

Transfer to a rack and cool slightly. Remove pan sides; serve warm or at room temp.