Gérard’s Mustard Tart

SoupAddict has a little true-false quiz for her loyal readers. All both of them. And, while you’re here, you might as well take it, too. [Ba-dump-bump-chhhhiiiiing]

1. True or false, SoupAddict likes mustard.

2. True or false, it was not a good idea for SoupAddict to not make a dish called a mustard tart.

3. True or false, SoupAddict actually has even more mustard, but photographed only what would fit in the frame because she was too lazy to change lenses.

How do you think you did, Loyal Reader?

(You took the quiz, and based on this random event, I have now claimed you as a Loyal Reader. Feel free to put it on your resume as a life achievement. You’ve earned it! [jazz hands])

1.  True. It’s mathematical. Seven types of prepared mustards + two types of dried mustard = Like.

2.  Ha HA! Trick question. Did you catch the double-negative, not good to not make? That makes the answer … let’s see … double-negative … two wrongs don’t make a right … -1 x -1 = +1 … the commutative property of addition means that not good to not make = to not make is not good … so, that makes it, true. No, false. No, true. Yes, true.

Okay, you people just on go ahead while SoupAddict flow charts this one out. She’ll get back to you.

3.  Ha HA! False! SoupAddict bets you said true, because it seems like something pathetic that would be true of SoupAddict. However, in order for it to be true, both conditions in the sentence had to be true, and while, yes, SoupAddict has more mustard than what was pictured, she wasn’t too lazy to change her camera lens. She just didn’t want to. So. There.

Now, you’ve probably already had a very fulfilling blog-reading experience, what with having been crowned Loyal Reader and taking a blog quiz in the space of just a few paragraphs. But wait. There’s more. There’s actually a point to the mustard.

Yes, you read correctly: SoupAddict has a point.

SoupAddict made a savory tart. With mustard.

Whut? [puzzled look]

Oh, you’re waiting for more of the point. Good move. Because it’s an awesome tart. And it’s French. So you know that tasty goodness is built right in. Here we go:

In addition to mustard, SoupAddict is a huge fan of the Allium family. SoupAddict grows many, many alliums in her gardens, and has a full stock of onions and garlic in her basement for the coming winter. Last year, she also grew leeks, which are fascinating plants. You can leave them in the ground all winter long and just pull one as you need it.

The trick, of course, is getting to them when there’s three feet of snow on the ground, and you cook in your Crocs. (Yes, SoupAddict wears Crocs in the kitchen. Pale pink Crocs. But don’t worry about SoupAddict: she doesn’t wear the Crocs in public. No, sir. Fashion-forward SoupAddict wears her Keens when she goes out.)

Tart shells are nothing to fear. Take your time. Tell the dough it looks fabulous. Which probably doesn’t really help to make it perfect. But it can’t hurt.

The filling is light, fluffy and flavorful, thanks to two different kinds of mustard and rosemary scented leeks. (Did SoupAddict already have both kinds of mustard in her fridge? That would be, um duh.)

Based on Dorie Greenspan’s description of him, SoupAddict believes that she would instantly like this Gérard of the Mustard Tart. Anyone who puts not one but two kinds of a mustard in anything, and then tops it with leeks, is aces with SoupAddict.

And as if the mustard and leeks weren’t enough, the traditional version of this tart includes tomatoes, making SoupAddict immediately think about her Black Cherry tomatoes, which are still growing like crazy. SoupAddict loves her Black Cherries and knew they would be the perfect addition to this tart. Not too many. Just a few.

Verdict: très délicieux . Cher Gérard, you might never know it, but I’ve just claimed you as my BFF [jazz hands].

This post is participating in French Fridays with Dorie, a blogging project where we cook our way through the recipes in Dorie Greenspan’s new cookbook, Around My French Table. Given the book’s newborn status, we’ve been requested to not post the recipe. SoupAddict hopes that you’ll forgive her and will perhaps be inspired to either buy the book or seek out a recipe of a similar nature to try on your own.