Beef and Rhubarb Tarts Beef and Rhubarb Tarts

Beef and Rhubarb Tarts

A great dinner party recipe with shortcrust pastry, beef mince combined with rhubarb and plump sultanas in a tangy sauce.

prep time
35 mins

cook time
30 minutes

serves
6 people

Ingredients

  • 450g lean beef mince
  • 1 x 500g pack shortcrust pastry
  • 100g fresh rhubarb, roughly sliced
  • 25g sultanas
  • 4 tablespoons cold water
  • 2 tablespoons good balsamic vinegar
  • Large pinch allspice powder
  • 4 tablespoons good, hot beef stock
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped chives
  • Extra long fresh chives, to garnish

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, 180°C Fan, Gas Mark 6.
  2. Roll out the pastry to 5mm/¼inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and use to line four to six 11cm loose-bottomed tartlet tins. Prick the bases with a fork. If time allows, chill for 10 minutes.
  3. Line the tartlet tins with greaseproof paper and baking beans and bake for 10-15 minutes. Remove the paper and the beans and return to the oven for a further 5 minutes or until the pastry is dry. Remove and set aside to cool.
  4. Meanwhile, place the rhubarb in a shallow pan with the sultanas and water. Cover and simmer gently for 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  5. Heat a large, shallow, non-stick frying pan until hot and dry fry the mince for 5-7 minutes until brown. Stir in the balsamic vinegar, seasoning and allspice powder and stock, reduce the heat, cover and cook for a further 5 minutes. Add the chives.
  6. Combine the mince and rhubarb mixture and spoon equally into each tartlet. Cover lightly with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes until the pastry is golden brown.
  7. Garnish the tarts with extra chives and serve on salad leaves.