I hate throwing food away, although a recent survey shows we chuck out 30% of food grown for human consumption. Food industry and government statistics (2005) show each adult wastes £420 of food a year. It goes off in the back of our fridges before we’ve had time to use it. You know the answer – don’t buy too much in the first place! So, with this in mind, I discovered a pack of ready-made pastry in my fridge which was one day off its “Use By” date. So I swung into action, and this is the result. I wasn’t sure if it would work but, if I say so myself, it was really good.

Lemon and Apple Tart:
Serves 8
375g pack ready rolled pastry
6 or 7 eating apples
225g yoghurt (I used goats, but cows or creme fraiche will work)
2 eggs
4tbsp icing sugar
1 lemon
2 tbsp milk

Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 180C. Grease a 24cm (10″) ceramic pie dish with a little sunflower oil or butter, and line with pastry, trimming off the edges. Quarter the apples then core, and cut each quarter into 3 wedges. Fill up the pastry case in concentric circles with the apple. Whisk the eggs with icing sugar, add yoghurt and grated rind and juice of the lemon. (I like to grate the lemon on the cheese grater side, to get quite big pieces of lemon – also it’s easier and quicker). Pour the mixture over the apples. Twist strips of pastry (from the trimmings) over the tart in a lattice. Brush (or use fingers) a little milk over the pastry to give a  nice golden shine. Bake 15 minutes at 180C, then turn doen the heat to 130C for another 15-25 minutes, until set (timing will depend on your oven). Cool for a few minutes and serve with cream, creme fraiche or on its own. Also nice with cheese!