Ideal For Your Christmas Leftovers: Veg Tart

• Preparation time: 20 minutes + cooling and chilling
• Cooking time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes + cooling and chilling
• Serves: 6 – 8

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• 500g block shortcrust pastry
• Plain flour, for dusting
• 350g mixed cooked vegetables (carrots, parsnips, sprouts etc), roughly chopped
• 100g mature cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
• 3 medium eggs
• 225ml single cream 
• 150ml whole milk
• ¼ x 20g pack thyme, leaves only
  

WHAT YOU NEED DO

1. Preheat the oven to 180˚C, gas mark 4. Roll the pastry on a floured surface to the thickness of a £1 coin. Place a 23cm x 4cm loose-bottomed tart tin on a baking sheet and line with the pastry, pressing it right into the corners. Leave the edges overhanging, prick the base and chill for 20 minutes.
2. Line the rested pastry case with parchment and baking beans. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Remove the baking beans and cook for a further 10 minutes or until the base is a light golden colour. Cool for a few minutes then use a serrated knife to trim off the overhanging pastry.
3. Fill the pastry case with the leftover veggies and most of the cheese. Whisk the eggs, cream, milk and thyme leaves together until smooth, season well and pour in the tart case. Scatter over the remaining cheese and bake for a final 30-35 minutes, or until just set in the middle. Cool for 5 minutes, remove from the tin and then transfer to a cooling rack. Serve at room temperature or chilled with some mixed leaves.

Recipe and image courtesy of Waitrose & Partners