Lemon-Basil Custard Pie with Red Berries

A few handfuls of raspberries, strawberries, and elderberries tossed in sugar rest atop a chilled custard infused with lemon basil. The herb, with its citrusy note, brightens the silky, rich filling.

MAKES:8
PREP TIME: HOURS 45 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 10 HOURS 45 MINS

INGREDIENTS

CRUST

175 g plain flour
1/2 tsp. coarse salt
1/2 tsp. sugar
225 g cold unsalted butter
2 tbsp. ice water

FILLING

240 ml milk
240 ml double cream
sprig lemon basil
large egg yolks
50 g sugar
2 tsp. cornflour
1 tsp. coarse salt

BERRIES

285 g fresh strawberries
225 g fresh raspberries
Fresh elderberries or currants
50 g sugar

DIRECTIONS

  1. Crust: Pulse flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor to combine. Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger pieces remaining. Add ice water; pulse until dough just starts to come together. Pat dough into a disk, wrap in cling film, and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
  2. Let dough stand at room temperature until pliable. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to an 11-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Fit into a 9-inch pie plate, fold over edge, then crimp. Freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
  3. Preheat oven to 190ºC (170ºC fan). Line pie-crust with parchment and fill with weights or dried beans. Bake 25 minutes, then remove parchment and weights and continue to bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool.
  4. Filling: Meanwhile, bring milk, cream, and lemon basil just to a boil in a medium pot. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep at least 2 hours (or overnight in the refrigerator).
  5. Preheat oven to 180ºC (160ºC fan). Return milk mixture to a simmer; remove lemon basil sprigs. Whisk together egg yolks and sugar in a bowl, then whisk in cornflour and salt until mixture is pale and thick, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in hot milk mixture until smooth. Pass mixture through a fine sieve into piecrust; skim any foam from surface with a spoon. Bake just until set in centre (if browning too quickly, tent edges with foil), about 30 minutes. Let cool completely. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
  6. Berries: Gently toss strawberries, raspberries, and elderberry clusters with sugar in a bowl. Let stand until juicy, about 5 minutes. Spoon berries and juices over chilled pie, top with lemon-basil flowers, and serve.

Publication: Delish