Starters Recipes - French Anchovy Flan Recipe

Ingredients

• 25g/1oz butter

• 25g/1oz lard

• 100g/4oz plain flour

• Pinch of salt

• 2 tablespoons water

• 450g/1lb onions (finely sliced)

• 2 garlic cloves (crushed)

• 6 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 225g/8oz tomatoes

• 2 tablespoons tomato puree

• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 16 black pitted olives

• 3 anchovy fillets

Serves 6

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6.

2. Cut the butter and lard into pieces and add these to the flour in a large bowl with the salt. Mix until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the water and mix until it forms a smooth dough. Cover and chill for 15 minutes.

3. When the dough is cool, roll out and use to line a 20cm/8in plain flan ring. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

4. For the filling, fry the onions and garlic in the oil in a large saucepan for 10 minutes or until very soft but not brown.

5. Place the tomatoes in a bowl of just-boiled water for 30 seconds. Remove the skin and seeds. Slice the tomatoes, add to the pan and continue cooking for 10 minutes until the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the tomato puree and thyme and season with salt and pepper.

6. Turn the mixture into the flan case. Brush with a little oil and cook in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

7. When the flan is cooked, garnish with olives and strips of anchovy fillet. This dish can be served either hot or cold.