Ingredients
pastry:
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into bits
4 ounces cold cream cheese, cut into bits
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup walnuts, coarsely ground,
raw rice for weighting the shell
filling:
1 1/4 cups half-and-half
6 ounces Stilton, crumbled
3 large eggs
Preparation
pastry: In a food processor blend the butter, the cream cheese, the flour, and the salt, pulsing the motor, until the dough just begins to form a ball, gather the dough into a ball, and flatten slightly. Dust the dough with flour and chill it, wrapped in plastic wrap, for 1 hour. (The dough may be made 1 day in advance and kept wrapped well and chilled.) On a floured surface roll out to 1/8 " thick to fit into 9" dish. Prick shell, sprinkle with walnuts and press them in gently. Chill 30 mins. Line shell with foil, fill + rice and bake in lower third of 425 oven for 10 mins. Remove rice, bake 5 more mins. Cool on rack.
filling: In a saucepan combine the half-and-half and the Stilton, bring the liquid to a simmer, and stir cheese until just melted. Cool. Lightly beat eggs,whisk in cheese mixture. Fill tart shell and bake in the middle of a preheated 375°F. oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the custard 1/2 inch from the edge comes out clean. (The custard may not be fully set in the center but will continue to cook after the tart is removed from the oven.)
