Christmas

Walnut and Blue Cheese Tart with Cranberries

July 29, 2013
4.3
3 Ratings
  • Serves 8 people
Author Notes

I had never tasted cranberries until I moved to the US. It was love at the first bite! I love blue cheese and the addition of cranberries in this recipe is heaven for me. This is a delicious mix of salty—blue cheese—and sweet—cranberries and nuts. It is versatile and can be served hot, room-temperature or very cold. I have made it every Christmas and for our Reveillon parties ever since I found the recipe in a 2002 magazine—which one? It was an add from Diamond walnuts. Give it a try, you’ll be surprised how deliciously simple it is. —Emilia Rosa

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Crust
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2/3 cup walnuts, ground (doesn't need to be ground to a powder)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more if you like it hot!)
  • 3 ounces unsalted butter, cold, cubbed
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk
  • Filling
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, but I always use it)
  • 1 1/3 cups almonds, toasted, chopped or sliced (I prefer walnuts)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups heavy cream (no substitutes)
  • 2-3 ounces blue cheese (I always use the whole 4 oz package)
Directions
  1. Pulse dry ingredients and butter in food processor until mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Add milk; pulse until dough comes together. Turn mixture into a ball then press it into a 9" tart pan. Prick crust. Freeze half hour. Bake at 375 F for 15-20 minutes, until golden.
  2. Heat oil in heavy pan, and sautée onion and salt 10-15 minutes, stirring constantly. Add cranberries and sugar; cook until cranberries pop. Add nuts and thyme; set aside. Whisk eggs and cream until smooth. Spoon walnut-cranberry mixture into (baked) tart shell. Crumble blue cheese over top and pour egg mixture over it. Bake at 350 F for 15-20 minutes, until golden. Cool 15 minutes before serving.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Manhattan Tart
    Manhattan Tart
  • Emilia Rosa
    Emilia Rosa

2 Reviews

Manhattan T. February 22, 2014
Used the whole 4 oz. package of blue cheese so the cranberry tanginess didn't overwhelm the blue cheese. I also prefer walnuts so happily used those. This is a fabulous holiday appetizer that initially confuses people but then they LOVE it!
 
Emilia R. February 22, 2014
I know, people get puzzled when I list the ingredients. Then they try it... and get hooked up for life! Yes, I also use the whole package: I love blue cheese. So glad you enjoyed it.