In a food processor using a pulse action, combine the plain
flour, 35g of castor sugar and the softened butter.
To this mix, add one egg being careful not to over beat; if the
pastry is overworked it becomes tough.
Once mixed, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for
at least 1 hour; this recipe can be doubled easily and the excess
well wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for other recipes.
On a well floured bench, quickly roll out the pastry to about
5mm thickness and shape the pastry to fit the desired flat tray, in
this case, 4×5cm flan tins.
Press the pastry up the sides of the tin; rest the tins in the
fridge for a further 20 minutes.
Place a piece of greaseproof paper into the tin and fill with
rice; this is known as blind baking and ensures the pastry does not
slide down or form bubbles on the base; bake at 160°C for 15
minutes.
When the cases are cool, place 125ml of cream into a small pot
and bring to the boil, then remove from the heat.
Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water.
Place chocolate chips and the remaining egg into a blender and
process for 30 seconds.
While the machine is running, slowly pour the heated cream into
the chocolate mixture blend until well mixed and the chocolate
chips are melted, then add the squeezed gelatine.
Pour the mix into cool tart cases and refrigerate until set.
With the remaining 75ml cream, briskly whisk together with 15g
sugar and gum leaf oil; taste the cream after 2 drops of gumleaf
oil adding more if necessary.
Serve garnished with a dollop of sweetened gumleaf cream and Rosella Confit and syrup.
Vic Cherikoff is a native foods specialist. Check out his
sites at www.cherikoff.net and www.dining-downunder.com for more recipes and
information.