Montenegrin Star Anise Tart

Background and History

The Montenegrin Star Anise Tart marries the traditional culinary practices of Montenegro with exotic flavors introduced through trade routes centuries ago. Montenegro, a small Adriatic country with a rich history of cultural exchanges, incorporated a variety of spices into its cuisine, notably star anise. The use of star anise in Montenegrin desserts is a testament to the spice's versatility beyond savory concoctions. Spices were often precious commodities, treasured as culinary jewels, and their influence on Montenegrin pastries cannot be understated.

Ingredients

• Star anise - 5 pods
• Flour - 200g
• Butter - 100g, chilled and diced
• Sugar - 100g
• Eggs - 2
• Cream - 150ml
• Vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - a pinch
• Ground almonds - 50g

Preparation

Before you embark on making this beautifully fragrant tart, gather all your ingredients and ensure your workspace is clean and organized. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Ready your tart tin by greasing it lightly with butter or lining it with parchment paper.

Infusing the Star Anise

Begin by infusing the flavor of star anise into the cream. Heat the cream in a small saucepan over low heat, adding the star anise pods. Heat gently until it begins to simmer, then remove it from the heat and let it sit to absorb the flavors. Once cooled, strain the cream to remove the star anise pods.

Making the Pastry

For the pastry, sift the flour into a large bowl and add a pinch of salt. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in half the sugar and the ground almonds. Add one beaten egg a little at a time, mixing gently until the pastry comes together. Wrap the dough in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.

Cooking Process

Rolling the Pastry

Once chilled, roll out the pastry on a floured surface to fit your tart tin, pressing it gently into the edges. Trim off any excess pastry and prick the base with a fork.

Baking the Base

Blind bake the pastry shell by lining it with baking paper and filling it with baking beans. Place it in the hot oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the beans and paper, then bake for another 5 minutes until the base is lightly golden.

Preparing the Filling

While the tart shell bakes, prepare the filling. Beat together the remaining sugar, the infused cream, the remaining egg, and the vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the filling into the pre-baked tart shell.

Final Baking

Carefully place the filled tart back into the oven and bake for about 25 minutes until the filling sets with a slight wobble. If using a timer, refer here.

Enjoying Your Montenegrin Star Anise Tart

Once baked, let the tart cool before slicing. This treat pairs wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The unique flavor of star anise makes this an exceptional dessert choice for social gatherings, earning you accolades for its originality and exquisite taste.