Brunches Recipes - Blue Cheese and Onion Flan

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) red onions, thinly sliced

• 1 teaspoon soft brown sugar

• 185 g (1 1/2 cups) plain (all-purpose) flour

• 100 g (3 1/2 oz) cold butter, cubed

• 185 ml (3/4 cup) cream

• 3 eggs

• 100 g (3 1/2 oz) blue cheese, crumbled

• 1 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves

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Method:

1. Heat the oil in a heavy-based frying pan over low heat. Cook the onion and sugar, stirring, for 45 minutes, or until the onion is caramelized.

2. Sift the flour into a bowl. Rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre and add 3-4 tablespoons cold water. Mix with a flat-bladed knife, using a cutting action until the mixture gathers in beads. Gently press together and lift onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/ Gas 4). Lightly grease a 23 cm (9 inch) loose-based flan tin. Rollout the pastry on a floured surface, and invert over the tin. Press in with a small ball of pastry, trim and chill for 10 minutes.

4. Line the pastry with baking paper and fill with baking beads. Bake the case on a tray for 10 minutes. Remove the beads and paper, and bake for 10 minutes, or until pale gold and dry.

5. Cool, then spread the onion over the pastry base. Whisk the cream, eggs, cheese, thyme and some freshly ground black pepper together, then pour over the onion and bake for 35 minutes, or until firm.