Peach and Thyme Polenta Tart

 

Polenta Pastry Shell

1 C. all-purpose flour

1/2 C. polenta (cornmeal)

1/4 C. white sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

2/3 C. butter (11 T.), chilled and diced

1 egg, beaten

 

Filling

1 C. heavy whipping cream

10 fresh thyme sprigs

1 lemon

3 egg yolks

1/4 C. sugar

Pinch of salt

2 large firm-ripe peaches, pitted and cut into very thin slices

 

5 fresh thyme sprigs

2 T. cornmeal

1 T. sugar

 

Mix the flour, polenta, salt and sugar. Using your fingers or a food processor, work the flour mixture into the butter until the texture is coarse and crumbly, like small peas. Mix in the egg. Mix lightly until smooth, then form into a disk, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the yellow peel from the lemon, trying to avoid the white pith. Bring the cream to a simmer, then remove from the heat. Add the thyme sprigs and lemon peel. Cover and steep for 30 minutes. Heat oven to 400°F. When the dough has chilled, work into a greased 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Let it rest for a few minutes, then bake for about 8 minutes or just until golden. Let cool. Lower the oven heat to 325°F. Strain the cream and discard the thyme and lemon peel. Whisk in the egg yolks, sugar and pinch of salt. Take the remaining 5 sprigs of thyme, and using your index finger and thumb, peel off the tiny leaves. Mix with the cornmeal and sugar. Add a splash of water and mix until loose and crumbly. Starting from the center, arrange the peach slices in an overlapping pattern in the baked tart shell. Pour the prepared custard over them and sprinkle the top with the cornmeal and thyme mixture. Bake at 325°F for about 35-40 minutes or until the peaches are tender and custard is set and slightly browned. Let cool and set for at least an hour before slicing.