Mushroom Tart

I've made this tart crust with 100% unbleached flour, and half-and-half unbleached and whole wheat. It works both ways! It's good to have a reliable tart crust; this one is perfect for all sorts of savory tarts.

Mushroom Tart
by Maurita 
Adapted from the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook 

Crust:
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour:
Either all Bob's Red Mill Organic Unbleached White Flour, or 1/2 cup Bob's Red Mill Organic Whole Wheat Flour and 1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons Bob's Red Mill Organic Unbleached White Flour
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 large egg

For the filling:
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 pounds mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon salt, divided
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/4 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup milk
2 large eggs
1/2 cup freshly grated aged Gouda or Gruyere cheese
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Make the crust: Put the flour, cornmeal and salt into the bowl of a food processor. Add in the butter and pulse until the butter is in tiny bits. Add the egg and process until the dough starts to clump together (it will look like wet sand.) Dump the dough onto a floured surface and use your hands to bring it together. Roll out the dough to a 12-inch circle (rolling out the dough between two pieces of waxed paper made this very easy.)

Transfer the dough to a 9-inch tart pan and press the dough against the bottom and sides. Remove the excess dough from the top. Place the tart pan on a baking sheet and put in the freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly butter one side of a 12-inch square of aluminum foil. Press the foil firmly against the bottom and sides of the crust (butter side down.) Bake for 10 minutes (no pie weights needed.) Carefully remove the foil and then bake for another 5 to 8 minutes, until lightly golden brown around the edges. Set aside on a wire rack until the filling is ready. Reduce the oven temperature to 350˚F.

Make the filling: Set a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and butter. When the butter is melted, add the shallots. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 2 to 3 minutes, until soft. Add in the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Increase the heat to medium high and add in the mushrooms (if the mushrooms won’t all fit in your skillet, add as many as you can and as they cook down you’ll be able to add more to the pan.) Cook for about 9 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender and the liquid has evaporated. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper (to taste.) Transfer to a plate to cool.

Put the mascarpone in a medium bowl. Slowly pour in the milk, and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Whisk in the eggs. Add in the grated cheeses and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add in the cooled mushrooms and mix to combine.

Carefully pour the mixture into the par-baked tart shell. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until slightly puffed and lightly golden brown on the top (if you insert the tip of a small knife into the center, it should not release any wet custard.) Let the tart cool for at least 10 minutes before removing from the pan to serve. Serve warm or at room temperature.