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## 4. **Preparing the Perfect Rustic Salted Tart Dough**
### **Tips for a Flaky, Buttery Crust**
The crust is arguably the most important part of the rustic salted tart. To achieve a perfectly flaky and buttery crust, it’s important to handle the dough with care. Here are a few tips to help you along the way:
– **Keep the butter cold**: The colder the butter, the flakier the crust. Make sure the butter is cut into small cubes and kept chilled until it’s ready to be incorporated into the dough.
– **Use ice-cold water**: Cold water helps the dough come together without warming the butter too much. This is key for ensuring a flaky texture.
– **Don’t overwork the dough**: Overworking the dough can lead to a tough, dense crust. Mix the ingredients until just combined, and then form the dough into a disk for chilling.
### **Step-by-Step Instructions for the Dough**
1. In a large bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of salt.
2. Add 1 stick (½ cup) of cold butter, cut into small cubes. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Slowly add 3-4 tablespoons of ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just begins to come together.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times to form a disk.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before using.
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## 5. **Creating the Savory Filling**
The filling is the star of the rustic salted tart. Depending on your preferences, you can use a combination of vegetables, cheese, and meats to create a rich, satisfying filling. Here’s how to create a classic savory filling:
### **Vegetables and Cheese: A Classic Combination**
A classic filling consists of caramelized onions, fresh spinach, and goat cheese. The sweetness of the onions contrasts perfectly with the tanginess of the goat cheese. To prepare the filling:
1. **Caramelize the onions**: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions and cook slowly for about 30 minutes until golden brown and soft.
2. **Wilt the spinach**: In a separate pan, sauté fresh spinach with garlic and olive oil until wilted. Remove any excess moisture.
3. **Combine the ingredients**: Mix the caramelized onions and wilted spinach with ½ cup of crumbled goat cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme.
### **Meats and Seafood: Adding Depth of Flavor**
For those who enjoy meats or seafood, adding bacon, prosciutto, or smoked salmon to the filling will deepen the flavor profile. Here’s an example of a bacon and mushroom filling:
1. **Cook the bacon**: Fry 4 strips of bacon until crispy. Crumble them into pieces and set aside.
2. **Sauté the mushrooms**: In the same pan, sauté sliced mushrooms in the rendered bacon fat until golden brown.
3. **Combine the ingredients**: Mix the bacon and mushrooms with ½ cup of grated Gruyère cheese and a handful of fresh parsley.
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## 6. **Assembling the Rustic Salted Tart**
Once your dough is prepared and your filling is ready, it’s time to assemble the rustic salted tart.
1. **Roll out the dough**: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a rough, freeform circle about 12 inches in diameter. Don’t worry about perfection—rustic is the goal!
2. **Add the filling**: Spoon the prepared filling into the center of the dough, leaving a border of about 2 inches.
3. **Fold the edges**: Gently fold the edges of the dough over the filling to create a rustic crust. The center should remain exposed.
4. **Brush with egg wash**: For a golden, glossy finish, brush the folded edges of the dough with a beaten egg.
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