Nina's Nameko Custard Tarts

Nina our culinary expert has developed many innovative recipes for nameko including custard tarts showcased at Floriade 2017. Here is her recipe:

Nameko Custard Tart

For the Mushrooms -

½ cup honey

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

2 tbsp cinnamon

1 tsp whole cloves

½ tsp nutmeg

zest from an orange

1½ cup nameko mushrooms

Bring ingredients to the boil, simmer for 15 mins. Strain out the zest and spices. Return to the stove and add mushrooms. Simmer for another 3 mins. Remove mushrooms with a slotted spoon and lay on a plate to cool. Reserve a 1/3 cup of the syrup.

For the Shell -

1 sheet of short crust pastry.

Place pastry in pie dish, and lay alfoil on top, blind bake in a medium oven for 15 mins.

For the Custard -

1 cup cream

3 egg yolks

1/3 cup strained poaching syrup

Remove foil from the pastry. Spread mushrooms on bottom of shell. Mix the custard ingredients, pour over mushrooms and bake until custard is set or for about 25 mins. Cool before serving with cream.

Nameko is a popular Japanese mushroom valued for its slippery cap, nutmeg aroma and wild earthy flavour. Explore nameko in savoury and sweet dishes.