Can I Freeze The Onion Tart? | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

Full question

I need to feed visitors for a week and I want to get organised in advance. Can I freeze the Onion Tart recipe from How to Eat?

Our answer

Nigella's Onion Tart With Bitter Leaves (from HOW TO EAT) is a quiche with a caramelized onion filling. The tart is at its best when freshly baked and it is possible to make the quiche in advance to various different stages and freeze it. Our preference would be to blind bake the pastry case and cook the onions until caramelized, then freeze each of these separately. Wrap the pastry case, still in its tin, tightly in a double layer of clingflilm (plastic wrap) and a layer of foil. Put the caramelized onions in an airtight container. They can both be frozen for up to 3 months. To finish the tart, thaw the onions in the fridge overnight then add them to the custard mixture. Remove the pastry case from the freezer (it can be baked from frozen) and add the filling, then bake following the instructions in the recipe.

It is also possible to assemble the tart and then freeze it and bake from frozen. To do this you need to put the assembled tart on a baking sheet and carefully open freeze until the tart is solid, making sure the baking sheet is kept flat in the freezer to stop any filling spilling out. Wrap in a double layer of clingfilm and a layer of foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Unwrap the tart and bake direct from frozen, adding 10-20 minutes to the baking time. Make sure that the tart is hot in the centre before removing it from the oven. For both of these methods we would also suggest heating a baking sheet in the oven and putting the tart on to the hot baking sheet to cook. It is also possible to freeze a baked quiche, but the pastry can be slightly soggy when the tart defrosts and the tart would still need to go into the oven to reheat.

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Can I Freeze The Onion Tart? | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

FAQs

Can I Freeze The Onion Tart? | Ask Nigella.com? ›

Our answer

Can you freeze a tart? ›

It will not be quite a lovely as it is freshly baked but yes you can freeze this and most savoury quiches or tarts for 3 to 6 months. I would open freeze until solid then wrap well in foil and then a freezer bag or box. To defrost, unwrap whilst frozen, pop on a baking tray, cover and defrost overnight in the fridge.

How do you freeze roasted onions? ›

Some people use an ice cube tray, but an ice cube of onions is a paltry amount. A muffin tin is far more appropriate: Just line the tin with plastic wrap, smoosh the onions down in there, then cover with another layer of plastic wrap and pop the whole tray in the freezer.

How do you caramelize and freeze onions? ›

Freeze caramelized onions in a freezer safe zip top bag or a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Suggestion: Freeze portions of caramelized onions in ice cube trays. When they're frozen, pop the portions out and quickly put them in a freezer safe zip top bag and back in the freezer.

Can you freeze blondies? ›

Brownies, Blondies and Bar Cookies: All freeze well after baking, though, because of their fudgy texture, they might become slightly more moist after thawing. Cut into portions, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap and freeze on a sheet pan until firm. Transfer to a resealable freezer bag.

Can you freeze a tart in its tin? ›

Freezing tips:

Wrap the tin with the cooled tart in it tightly in clingfilm or foil. Label and date before freezing.

Is it better to freeze a pie before or after baking? ›

It is much better to freeze pumpkin and fruit pies before baking rather than after. The texture of pies suffers substantially if frozen after baking. If you freeze pies after baking them, thaw them at room temperature for about three hours and then crisp them in a 450 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 20 minutes.

Does freezing onions change the flavor? ›

Even though onions are freezer-friendly, stick to using them in cooked dishes rather than salads, because their texture will inevitably be different. Frozen onions will retain their flavor for 3-6 months — they're likely still good past that, but they won't be as potent.

Is it better to freeze onions raw or cooked? ›

You can freeze onions with or without blanching. You must blanch when freezing whole onion bulbs. Use a blanching time of three minutes for small onions, seven minutes for larger. For safe freezing, blanching must heat onions all the way to the center of the bulb.

Why do you blanch onions before freezing? ›

There is no need to blanch onions. Freeze onions using one of the following methods: Dry Pack - Pour onions in freezer bags. Placing packages flat in the freezer helps the onions to freeze faster and makes it easier to break off sections as needed.

Why add vinegar to caramelize onions? ›

If the onions stick to the bottom of the pan, deglaze with a tablespoon of red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or wine. I usually stick with balsamic vinegar because the flavor complements the onions perfectly. Not only will deglazing pull up tasty sticky bits, it will add even more flavor to your caramelized onions.

Can you fry onions and then freeze them? ›

Freezing Cooked Onions

Be sure to let the cooked onions fully cool, then store in airtight freezer bags for up to three months. To freeze small, easy-to-use amounts, line the cups of a muffin tin with plastic wrap, pack with cooled cooked onions and freeze until solid.

What happens to frozen onions? ›

One important thing to realize, though, is that frozen onions can then only be used in cooked recipes. The texture of a fresh onion will naturally break down during the freezing process, so you won't want to enjoy thawed onions raw. But, they will be delicious sauteed, caramelized, grilled or roasted.

What desserts cannot be frozen? ›

Foods That Do Not Freeze Well
FoodsUsual UseCondition After Thawing
MeringueIn dessertsSoft, tough, rubbery, spongy
Icings made from egg whitesCakes, cookiesFrothy, weeps
Cream or custard fillingsPies, baked goodsSeparates, watery, lumpy
Milk saucesFor casseroles or graviesMay curdle or separate
11 more rows

What pastries can be frozen? ›

In instances like these, it helps to remember that almost all baked goods, including cupcakes, muffins, banana bread and dinner rolls can be frozen for up to three months. Plus, cookie and pie dough, brownie batter, biscuits and scones can be mixed, shaped and frozen, so you can bake them off whenever you like.

Is it OK to freeze custard tarts? ›

They can be enjoyed warm or cold. If you've made a batch but don't want to eat them all they will freeze well. Just place a few in a tupperware box and freeze for up to 3 months. You probably won't need to though as they will all disappear pretty sharpish!

How do you preserve tarts? ›

If you are planning to keep any pastry for longer, make sure you pop them in the freezer so that the freshness does not get compromised. Just wrap them up and store them in the pastry box that they came with, an airtight container or in a ziplock bag before refrigerating.

Can I freeze baked pastry? ›

If keeping for longer, tightly wrap individual pastries in aluminum foil and store in freezer until ready to eat. (We recommend that frozen pastries be consumed within one month, and refrigerated pastries be consumed within three days).

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