Maple Pecan Tart with Smoked Ricotta Cream

Instructions

• 1

  To make the pastry, lightly spray a 25cm round x 3cm deep loose-base tart pan with cooking spray.

• 2

  Process the flour, sugar and butter in a food processor until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.

• 3

  With the motor on, add the egg yolk and enough water until the mixture forms a ball. Turn out and shape into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

• 4

  Roll out the pastry between two sheets of baking paper until about 3mm thick and large enough to line the base and side of the prepared pan. Ease the pastry into the pan and lightly press over the base and side. Trim the edge. Place the tart pan on a baking tray and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

• 5

  Preheat the oven to 180°C.

• 6

  Line the pastry case with baking paper and fill with pie weights. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the paper and weights. Return to the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the pastry case is light golden brown. Cool to room temperature.

• 7

  To make the filling, whisk the brown sugar, cream, flour and ¼ cup (60ml) maple syrup in a medium bowl until smooth and combined.

• 8

  Scatter the pecans into the pastry case. Pour over the filling to cover the nuts. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is golden and just set. Cool the tart in the pan.

• 9

  To make the smoked ricotta cream, stir the ricotta, icing sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl until combined. Cover with plastic wrap.

• 10

  Connect the large end of the hose to the Smoking Gun barrel. Add a pinch of wood chips to the burn chamber and place the other end of the hose under the plastic wrap with the opening sitting above the ricotta cream. Turn the smoking gun on to High Speed to ignite wood chips. Switch to Low Speed and smoke for a few seconds until the bowl is filled with a dense smoke. Switch to Off position. Remove the hose and reseal the plastic wrap. Infuse for 3 minutes, then stir well. Cover and refrigerate until required.

• 11

  Remove the burnt wood chips from the burn chamber.

• 12

  Place extra maple syrup in a jug. Cover with plastic wrap. Add another pinch of the wood chips to the burn chamber. Place the hose under the plastic wrap with the opening sitting above the maple syrup. Turn the smoking gun on to High Speed and ignite wood chips. Switch to Low Speed and smoke for a few seconds until the jug is filled with a dense smoke. Switch to Off position. Remove the hose and reseal plastic wrap. Infuse for 3 minutes, swirling the syrup occasionally.

• 13

  Transfer the tart to a serving plate. Serve with the smoked ricotta cream and smoked maple syrup.