Broccoli, Bacon and Olive Tart

Looking for a delicious and satisfying dish? Try this Broccoli, Bacon and Olive Tart! It’s a hearty and flavorful homemade creation that’s perfect for a cozy dinner or as a standout on your party table. The combination of a tender crust, a creamy filling, and the briny kick of olives is simply irresistible!

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 1 ¾ cups (200g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 large egg
• A pinch of salt
• 1–2 tablespoons ice-cold water, if needed

For the Filling:

• 1 ½ cups (250g) broccoli florets, steamed until tender-crisp and finely chopped
• 5 ounces (150g) pancetta, bacon, or pork belly, cut into small pieces
• ½ cup (100g) green or black olives, pitted and chopped
• 3 large eggs
• ¾ cup (200ml) heavy cream (at least 20% fat content)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Grated cheese (optional, for a golden crust)

Instructions:

Making the Crust:

1. In a deep bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. Add the cold, cubed butter and rub it into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add the egg and, if needed, a little ice-cold water, just until the dough comes together in a ball. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to roll out.

Preparing the Filling:

1. Fry the pancetta or bacon in a dry skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the skillet and set aside on paper towels to drain any excess grease.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and heavy cream together until well combined.
3. Add the prepared broccoli, crispy pancetta (or bacon), and chopped olives to the egg mixture.
4. Stir everything together gently and season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Assembling the Tart:

1. Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about ⅛ inch (3 mm).
2. Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to a pie dish or tart pan, pressing it gently into the bottom and up the sides to form a crust. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges for a nice finish.
3. Pour the filling evenly into the prepared crust.
4. If desired, sprinkle the top of the filling with grated cheese. This will create a lovely golden-brown crust as it bakes.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for approximately 35–40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is golden brown.

Your delicious Broccoli, Bacon and Olive Tart is ready to be enjoyed! Bon appétit!

Tip: This tart is equally delicious served warm or cold. It’s a fantastic option for picnics or road trips as it holds its flavor well and is easy to slice into portions.