For the pastry
   110 g  Plain flour
    50 g  Unsalted butter
     1    Free-range egg yolk
          A pinch of salt
     1 tb Water
-FOR THE FILLING-
          White meat; plus a little
          -brown
          ; from 900g/2lb of
          ; cooked crab
     4    Free-range eggs
   300 ml Double cream
     1 ts Soft fresh Thyme; finely
          -chopped
     1 tb Fresh chives; finely chopped
          Salt and freshly ground
          -black pepper
Preheat the oven to 350F/180C/ Gas Mark 4.
 In a large bowl add the butter to the flour and rub in until the
 mixture forms the texture of bread crumbs. Place the egg in the
 centre of the bowl, add the salt and about a tablespoon of water
 mixing until the ingredients form a firm dough.
 Place in the fridge and chill for at least 30 minutes. Roll out the
 pastry as thinly as possible and line a 20.5 cm/8inch tart tin. Prick
 the bottom with a fork. Place in the oven and blind bake in the oven
 for 15-20 minutes or until a pale golden brown and cooked through.
Allow to cool slightly for the filling
For the filling:
 Place the crab in an even layer on the base of the cooked and cooled
 pastry case.
 Beat together the eggs and the cream until well combined. Add the
 herbs, season generously and mix well.
Pour the cream mixture over the crab.
 Place back in the oven and bake for 30 -40 minutes or until the
 mixture has set and the top is golden brown.
Serve warm with a green salad.
                 
                 Yields       
                6 servings                
