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Västerbottenpaj
Västerbottensostpaj: northern Swedish tart of strong aged cheese, cream and egg
Västerbotten cheese, a hard, crumbly cheese with a sharp, slightly bitter bite, has been made in Burträsk in Västerbotten since the 1870s, and this tart is its most famous use: a crisp shortcrust filled with the grated cheese, cream and eggs, baked until puffed and golden. It is on the table at every Swedish crayfish party in August and at midsummer, served at room temperature. The original cheese is made with animal rennet, so for a vegetarian tart use a strong vegetarian mature cheddar or similar. A common mistake is skipping blind-baking, which gives a soggy base. Chef's tip: a pinch of cayenne and white pepper in the filling sharpens the cheese without overpowering it.
- Total time
- 75 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
For the pastry
- 7 oz plain flour
- 4 oz cold butterdiced
- 2 tbsp ice-cold water
- 1 pinch salt
For the filling
- 7 oz Västerbotten or strong vegetarian mature cheesecoarsely grated
- ¾ cup double cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- 3 eggs
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Rub 4 oz cold butter into 7 oz plain flour and 1 pinch salt until like breadcrumbs. Add 2 tbsp ice-cold water and bring together into a dough. Wrap and chill 30 minutes.
Step 2: Heat the oven to 400°F (fan 350°F). Roll the pastry to line a 24 cm tart tin. Prick the base and chill 15 minutes.
15 minStep 3: Line with baking paper and baking beans and bake for 12 minutes, then remove the beans and bake 5 minutes more until dry and pale gold. Common mistake: skipping this; the base goes soggy.
17 minStep 4: Lower the oven to 350°F (fan 325°F). Whisk 3 eggs, ¾ cup double cream, ½ cup whole milk, ¼ tsp white pepper and 1 pinch cayenne pepper and stir in 7 oz Västerbotten or strong vegetarian mature cheese.
Step 5: Pour into the case and bake for 25–30 minutes, until puffed, golden and just set in the middle.
30 minStep 6: Cool for at least 20 minutes and serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 450 kcal
- Protein
- 14 g
- Carbs
- 20 g
- Fat
- 35 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does västerbottenpaj take?
- About 75 minutes in total: 40 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of cold butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
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