Cheese Tart

The cheese tart is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or as a main course, depending on the size and accompaniments. Here is an Italian version of the dish.

Ingredients

• 300g of brisée or shortcrust pastry
• 250g of ricotta cheese
• 100g of grated cheese (pecorino, parmesan, or a mix of the two)
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Aromatic herbs of choice (e.g., thyme, marjoram, basil) chopped, to add a touch of flavor
• (Optional) 100g of ham or speck cubes for a non-vegetarian variant

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Roll out the pastry in a tart tin, prick the bottom with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
3. In a bowl, mix the ricotta with the grated cheese until smooth.
4. Add the eggs, a pinch of salt, pepper, and the chopped aromatic herbs. If you want to add a more flavorful touch, incorporate the ham or speck.
5. Pour the cheese mixture onto the pastry base in the tart tin.
6. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the tart is golden and the filling is well cooked.
7. Let it cool slightly before serving.

Curiosity

The cheese tart can be personalized with the addition of different aromatic herbs or other cheeses. In some versions, more flavorful cheeses such as taleggio or gorgonzola are used to give a more intense flavor. In Italy, every region has its version of this delicacy, often linked to the typical cheeses of the territory.