Wednesday, March 7, 2012

FFwD: Gerard's Mustard Tart

This week's French Friday's with Dorie selection of onion biscuits was another duplicate recipe for me, and one that I thought were good hot out of the oven, but didn't eat much of once they were cold, so I opted to cook another catch-up recipe instead. Most of the catch ups that I have left to cook are dishes that I've been avoiding for one reason or another, so I really need to buckle down and just power through them. I may be surprised.

The universally loved Gerard's Mustard Tart (pg 150 of Around My French Table) seemed like a relatively safe choice. I don't dislike mustard, exactly, but given the choice, I make sandwiches without it. I'm always shocked when the cheeseburgers at McDonald's are topped with mustard. Who does that? In Brooklyn, your McDonald's burger comes with ketchup, onions, and a pickle, as it should be. Out of state, I never EVER remember to ask them not to put mustard on it, and am always disappointed to find it there. Anyway, my point is that the only time I deliberately use mustard is on a hot dog or other sausagey treats, or as a salad dressing component. In no way was I looking forward to adding four tablespoons of it to an egg mixture, then topping it with carrots and leeks.

As my tart baked, my naysayer tune began to change. It smelled wonderful.

Hours later, when we finally ate dinner, the expectations that I'd built up around that smell crashed back to reality. Normally, Matt and I take down entire quiches in one meal (not something I advocate, unless you're a fan of bellyaches). I ate one dainty slice of this tart, and really didn't want any more. It's too one-note mustardy. Matt suggested that next time I make it, I add bratwurst to the mixture, so that it would taste like the mustard was going with something. I told him that there wouldn't be a next time. If I'm going to spend my time putzing about with a crust, it's going to be for something I want to eat.

Conclusion: Dislike. It's pretty, though.

22 comments:

  1. I didn't care for this mustard tart either. And, it's funny what your husband said about bratwurst because my sister suggested some kind of polish sausage or even hotdogs be incorporated.

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  2. Too funny. They did this one before I joined FFwD - I remember going back and making it as a catch up, but I totally can't remember if I liked it or not.
    I used to work @ a Burger King just outside Philly & it was always so weird that they made us put mustard on the burgers. I like mustard, but that definitely was NOT how we served our beef in Upstate NY. Mustard was for sandwiches and hot dogs (and maybe in mac salads). Period.

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    1. Thank you! Glad I'm not the only one. I'm perfectly aware that if I were raised in some other state, I'd order a burger in NY and say, "Hey! They forgot my mustard!" You'd think McDonald's would have a universal way of serving a burger.

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  3. Amen sister! get some wiener into that tart ASAP!

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  4. I've made this a couple of times using the tomato variation (I've had the original too, but didn't just love it), and I really, really liked it. In fact, as weird as the mustard seemed (I agree about the burgers), it really brought out the flavor orf tomato. Good for you for trying it though!!

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  5. Oooh, see here's where you and I go toe to toe because I love me some mustard! This sounds perfect for my table :) Sorry it flopped on yours though!

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  6. I have never heard or had mustard on a burger and I have had my fill of burgers. I would rather have
    a Mc Donalds burger than many others. The flavors are just wonderful. Can't forget a White Castle little burger,
    probably the original slider, a taste like no other. Dorie would probably think I had not taste for good
    food. Must be my NY upbringing. Sorry you did not enjoy the tart, but we learn by trying, right?

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  7. I remember loving this mustard tart and also making the tomato version which is really good. Some people are not deli mustard lover and others do have certain ways of using it. Thanks for reminding me about this tart...I need to bake it again.

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  8. I loved it! I even won a blue ribbon at the fair for my post on it! To each his or her own though and that is the fun of the group I think.

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  9. I haven't tried this one yet, although it looks super pretty. Do you think dialing back on some of the mustard would have improved it?

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  10. I loved this recipe, in fact, it may still reign as my all time favorite FFwD recipe. But then, I'm the kind of girl who asks for extra mustard on my sandwiches & burgers, so that might explain that. Sometimes these recipes surprise us and sometimes they confirm what we already knew. Kudos to you for giving it a try.

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  11. Funny McDonald's story, never knew that mustard wasn't standard at all. It's interesting about the one-note flavor, wonder if there is anything you could do to enhance it? Somethings though just are as good as they sound or smell in the end. I noticed you really seem to like the book you are featuring!

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  12. Sorry you didn't enjoy! This was one of the biggest surprises for me from this cookbook. Expected to hate it, but loved it!

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  13. You're cracking me up today. I forgot how much I liked this tart, but I love mustard, and I always put it on my burgers (I actually hate ketchup). I like your food philosophy of repeatedly trying things you don't like in case you're surprised. Sorry it didn't work out for you this time.

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  14. I had a Smashburger for lunch today and guess what I had on it? Yep, mustard! I came to love mustard on burgers years ago at Sonic. I can't remember but I think I liked this tart. But then I like mustard.

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  15. I really enjoy mustard so, I enjoyed this tart. Your tart looks perfect..sorry it wasn't a hit with you!

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  16. I loved the onion biscuits. I'll let you know what happens with the tart...if I get around to it.

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  17. My little onion biscuits had great flavor but were flat as a pancake-haha! I have also considered going back & trying this recipe for the mustard tart- I do actually like mustard now- used to dislike it intensely.
    Ironic that you have posted about the Madhur Jaffrey book, Indian Cooking- I just picked it up at a sale for .50 & I am very interested in trying some of the recipes out.

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  18. Oh no! Sorry you didn't like this. Your tart looks superb.

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  19. I agree-who puts mustard on a hamburger? I appreciate your take on the mustard tart. Actually it doesn't sound mouthwateringly good, at least not mouthwatering in a good way. I'll pass. The bratwurst sounds good and with the mustard. Good idea from Matt.

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  20. Funny post--I'm not a big mustard fan myself, and I always at least halve the amount of mustard in a recipe, which may defeat the whole purpose of something like a mustard tart, but at least you can taste something besides mustard.

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  21. Sorry your biscuits didn't turn out the first go 'round, I'd say give them another go just for fun, especially if you like onions.

    Ahh, Gerard's Mustard Tart, I remember that one. I am not a fan of mustard or quiche so just made a mini and although it was pretty, even picky husband (who in this case was not the picky one, sine he likes both eggs and mustard) did not care for the tartlet.

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