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Butterless Tart

17/11/2023

I can suggest a recipe for a butterless tart, using extra virgin olive oil or another type of oil of your choice that is more neutral in taste as the fat. Here are the ingredients and the method:

Ingredients

  • 300 g of all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour if you prefer a rustic variant)
  • 100 g of sugar
  • 80 ml of extra virgin olive oil (or seed oil)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • The grated zest of 1 lemon (optional, for flavoring)
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder (if you want a more leavened base)
  • Jam or fruit preserve of your choice to fill the tart

Preparation

  1. In a bowl, mix the flour with the sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Add grated lemon zest if you want a citrus fragrance.
  2. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the egg and oil. Mix with a fork to incorporate the liquid ingredients, then start kneading by hand until you get a smooth and compact dough. If necessary, add a little cold water to reach the desired consistency.
  3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Take 2/3 of the dough and, on a lightly floured surface, roll it out to a thickness of about 3-4 mm to line the bottom and sides of a tart tin (recommended diameter 24-26 cm) previously oiled or lined with parchment paper.
  5. Pour the jam or fruit preserve onto the pastry base and level it gently.
  6. Roll out the remaining dough and cut out strips to make the classic grid on top of the jam, or you can use cookie cutters to create decorations to your liking.
  7. Bake the tart in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 30 minutes or until the surface appears golden.

Allow the tart to cool before serving it. Using olive oil will give you a more “Mediterranean” tart, light and with a subtle characteristic aftertaste.

Curiosity

The tart is one of the most beloved homemade sweets in Italy. The use of extra virgin olive oil instead of butter is a healthier variant and typical of the southern regions, where olive oil is a fundamental ingredient in all culinary preparations.

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