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Milk Tart or Melktert is one of those classic South African dishes, that show up in infinite shades of cream at every social event where people bring a sweet contribution. At school fundraisers and tea and cake sales you will find several different versions interspersed with the odd tipsy tart, vetkoek, koeksisters or crunchies for variety.
A pastry case filled with a pale custard filling and speckled with cinnamon, it has a dense creamy texture that is sweet but not sickly, the comfort factor of creamy rice pudding without the bulk. Even my children, who don't go for rich, creamy things, like it and it's a great way of using up that extra pint of milk that is about to go past its sell by date and at the same time getting the kids to up their dairy and calcium intake without overdosing on cream and fat. It uses half-fat milk not cream so is also a good choice for those who have to avoid cream but are missing the indulgence of it.
The joy of this particular recipe for a Crustless Milk Tart is that it by-passes the need for pastry, the filling going straight into a buttered pie dish and into the oven, so it can be assembled in five minutes, baked for 45 minutes and produce a tea time treat with almost no effort. Also all the ingredients are mixed up in one bowl, leaving very little washing up. I've seen many other traditional recipes that demand that you whisk egg yolks and whites separately then fold in, but this way is already so delicious that there seems to be no need, unless you are looking for entertainment! This version is perfect for afternoons when you have a thousand other things to do and unexpected visitors show up for tea, or when you just feel the need for comfort food on a cold winter's afternoon.
Crustless Milk Tart Recipe
¾ cup / 185ml self-raising flour
2 cups / 500ml milk
2 eggs
¾ cup / 185 ml sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 oz / 25g melted butter
pinch salt
½ tsp cinnamon
Put all the ingredients together into a bowl or food processor and beat to a smooth batter. Pour into a buttered pie dish (approximately 23cm/9" in diameter, but it doesn't matter if it's not exact,the finished tart will just be either a bit deeper or shallower). Sprinkle the cinnamon over the top. Bake for 45 minutes at 175C / 350F. Serve warm or cold. It sinks and becomes denser as it cools. If you eat it hot you'll need a spoon to scoop up the soft custardy tart but cold you can pick up the slices in your hand, if it hasn't vanished long before then.
If you feel like it you can always use a pastry base with this recipe as the filling. Use either puff pastry or a sweet shortcrust pastry and line the dish with it before pouring in the filling.
Copyright 2007 Kit Heathcock
With produce, meats, flowers, and spirits under one roof, bulk-store markets make food party planning for last-minute holiday party planning a cinch!
Shopping at warehouse stores like Costco, Sam's, and BJs make holiday party planning easy, affordable, and fun. Buy a few yummy foods in larger quantities. Plan for about 8-12 different items. Grab some beautiful blooms from the floral display, and a case of good wine from the liquor section and you are on your way to a real celebration! This can be a great strategy whether you have lots of time to plan your party or if it's a spur of the moment gathering.
This kind of food party planning is great for large groups in particular. A buffet party for 70 people doesn't have to be a chore if you break it down into groups and make an allowance for at least four trips to the table for the men and three for the ladies. The object is to have plenty for all these trips, and bulk food stores are a blessing for buffet food party planning.
What to Buy?
Look for variety in ingredients, food textures, hot and cold items, and flavors. You don't want to have a table full of dips or have every food item have dill or eggs in it. A good "formula" for a buffet is 1-2 seafood items, 1-2 meats, one meat or seafood salad, a cheese and cracker assortment - one soft cheese, one hard cheese, and one blue cheese, one fruit - whole or cut goes will with the cheese assortment, one dip or spread with crackers, one dip with chips, one dip with cold crudités, bread that goes with the meat and meat or seafood salad, devilled eggs, 2-3 heat and serve type puff canapés, and an assortment of sweets - cookies, mini-brownies, candy, and dried fruit. Choose your items so about ½ are hot foods and ½ are cold foods. Choose items that don't require more than bake and serve for the greatest ease. If you plan to make some of the items yourself, choose recipes with few ingredients - hot dips, grilled lamb chops, mini sausages in a sauce, meatballs in a special sauce, chicken tenders marinated and skewered can all be simple items to prepare. Just be sure you buy enough. Plan an average of 12-14 canapés or "bites" per guest if your buffet party is taking the place of dinner.
Dress Up Your Buffet and Make it Look Inviting
Make the presentation of the food special - don't use the containers the foods come packaged in - even if they are already plated for service. Re-plate all of your purchased items on holiday service ware or just some of your own nice buffet sized service ware. Stay away from plastic, unless it's really nice. To make your buffet look professional and interesting spend a little on garnishes for the buffet plates and create levels with stacks of books or sturdy boxes under the buffet tablecloth. Footed cake plates can come in handy for buffet food party planning also. Put some fresh flowers or foliage that fits with your holiday in a large pitcher or vase and place it on the buffet to add to the color and beauty. Pick up some colorful cocktail napkins, nice holiday canapé plates, and glassware to reduce the clean-up process to a toss in a garbage bag.
Serve Up Some Cheer!
To keep things simple and affordable, choose one regular beer, one lite beer, one red wine, and one white wine. To make it even simpler, make a signature holiday punch or drink with no more than 3 ingredients. Be sure to have an assortment of soft drinks for the designated drivers also. Sparkling cider can be kind of special for those who have offered to abstain from alcohol for the evening.
Plan for an average of three 6-8 ounce beverages per guest.
Whip Up Something Elegant But Easy
Here are a couple of different and tasty recipe ideas that take little to no effort.
Lamb Chop Appetizer
Purchase mini lamb chops in bulk to make a savory, plate-free appetizer for guests. Season chops with salt and pepper and chopped rosemary, then grill or broil. Serve with small napkins.
Brie Bites
Purchase mini quiche cups. Put a small chunk of Brie cheese in each cup and top it with a dollop of your favorite preserve - cherry or pear are my favorites. Top the preserves with a few chopped almond pieces and bake at 350 F. until the cheese is soft, warm, and melted - about 8-10 minutes. Serve hot - and delicious!
Buffet food party planning is a breeze when you rely on the convenience and variety you can find at the bulk warehouse stores. There's nothing like a huge table, laden with plenty of food to make guests feel like there is a serious holiday party underway!
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