Flaó Ibizan Cheese Mint Tart Recipe

Flaó is an authentic dessert from Spain’s paradise island of Ibiza.It was traditionally baked at Easter but can now be enjoyed year round at local cafes and restaurants.The ancient dessert dates back to 1250 and is unique in that it combines two popular pastries: a flaky tart and creamy cheesecake.Our homemade Flaó recipe, also known as a Ibizan Cheese & Mint Tart, is a light dessert perfect for serving at the end of a Spanish dinner party.The pastry dough is flavoured with Pernod Liqueur and lemon zest while the smooth cheesecake interior features eggs, sugar, fresh mint leaves and Spanish queso fresco.Save this story to Pinterest! Flaó is a cheesecake or tart found in Spanish cuisine popular from Catalan speaking areas. It is claimed by Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera, with some culinary controversy.Traditionally Flaó was a dessert served at Easter family celebrations but is now available all year round.Historically, the first recorded mention of Flaó is from 1252. It is also mentioned in Ramon Llull’s book Blanquerna, written in 1283.Traditional Flao recipes vary based on where you are eating them in Spain. Authentic Flaó d’Eivissa from Ibiza has a circular shape and has a filling of sheep or goat cottage cheese, eggs and sugar, aromatized with fresh mint leaves and aniseed.A slice of Flao is usually enjoyed with a glass of sweet wine or the local liqueur like frígola, a thyme-based digestif.Travel to Ibiza by Baking Flaó at HomeI love traveling to Europe!What I love most about traveling to Spain is the opportunity to sample unique dishes in each region and city. The Spanish dishes in Madrid and Barcelona are unique to what you might find on restaurant menus in Salamanca, Toledo, Valencia, Mallorca, Ibiza, Seville, Cordoba, Granada and Malaga.I spent 3 days exploring the tiny island of Ibiza with my sister on a sun-soaked road trip. Ibiza is most famous for being the epicentre of Europe’s nightlife and celebrity DJ scene. I was on assignment to write about the island’s culinary tourism offerings and rarely went to bed past 11pm!On our first night in Ibiza my sister and I enjoyed a traditional meal at a local restaurant. It was located off the tourist trail in an unassuming building off a dirt road. After stepping inside the front door, the restaurant came to life as it was filled with smiling local families.We told the waiter it was our first meal in Ibiza and that we only wanted to eat dishes that were unique to the island. After a sumptuous selection of savoury courses we finished the evening with a slice of traditional Flaó.I fell in love with the light and herbaceous cheesecake, which we forked through while sipping espresso and a local herb liqueur.Once back home from an Ibizan holiday you’ll have a newfound appreciation for the regional flavours of Spain and can impress friends and family by making our easy Flao recipe!Where To Eat Ibizan Cheese Mint TartIf you live in a large city in Canada or America you’ll likely have access to a local Spanish restaurant that serves authentic Flao.Haven’t traveled to Spain before? It may be helpful to first sample the popular Cheese & Mint Tart at a local restaurant to better understand how it is served. You’ll get an idea for the ideal flakiness of the pastry crust, intensity of anise and mint in the cheesecake and preferred creamy texture of the filling.In Toronto, popular Spanish restaurants that may serve Flaó include Carmen, Bar Isabel, Patria, Salt Wine Bar, Bar Raval, Barsa Taberna and Labora.Join Dobbernationloves founder Andrew Dobson in the kitchen by signing up for a fun virtual cooking class! Classes begin with a cocktail that you can sip while preparing 2-3 recipes that are curated around a unique culinary theme. Check out our current !Want to read the latest stories?Receive email updates when new stories are published.My Family Loves Flaó Ibizan Cheese Mint TartSpain was one of the first countries I visited when back packing through Europe in my third year of university.Years later I would embark on a second trip as a food and travel journalist. I had swapped humble hostel life for luxury hotels and Michelin star restaurants!My initial visit to Spain included stops in Barcelona, Madrid, Sitges, and Salamanca. When planning my next trip I really wanted to focus on Southern Spain. I dreamed about driving through Andalusia and then hopping on a plane from Valencia to visit the paradise islands of Mallorca and Ibiza.After falling in love with Andalusian tapas culture and the unique flavours of the Spanish islands I was excited to return home and recreate some of my favourite dishes for friends and family.I baked this Flaó recipe at our family cottage in Muskoka on a hot summer day. The property has a lush herb garden where my mother grows three varieties of fresh mint.Everyone fell in love with the Ibizan Mint Cheese Tart I served that night for dessert. Leftovers were enjoyed as a quick and easy breakfast the following morning with a cup of coffee.Traditional Flaó Recipe Cooking TipsIf it’s your first time preparing Flao at home here are some helpful baking tips.What To Serve With Ibizan Cheese Mint TartWe love serving this authentic Ibizan tart recipe as a dessert at a Spanish themed dinner party.In Spain it’s typically served with a glass of dessert wine, herb liqueur or espresso. We like to serve a slice with a scoop of homemade ice cream like vanilla, mint or strawberry.If you’re hosting a Mediterranean-themed dinner party serve Flao alongside these other popular dishes:Flaó Ibizan Cheese & Mint TartHow to make traditional Flaó cheesecake. Ibizan cheese mint tart is light and creamy dessert flavoured with lemon, aniseed and Pernod.Prep Time1 hrTotal Time1 hr 50 minsPastryFillingIn a large bowl, stir together the flour, white sugar, baking powder, aniseed and salt. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the lemon zest, fold in the beaten egg and liqueur, and knead briefly until the dough is smooth. For the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and let rest in the fridge for 30 minute. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease an 8 inch tart pan with butter, olive oil or cooking spray. On a floured surface, roll out the dough and line the tart pan, cutting and patching the dough if it tears. Prick the base all over with the tines of a fork and press the dough into the walls of the pan. To make the filling, in a small bowl, break up the queso fresco with a fork into a coarse mash. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with white sugar, then add the cheese and chopped mint, mixing to combine. Pour the filling into the prepared pastry shell. Bake in the oven until firm and lightly browned on top, approximately 50 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool. Decorate with mint leaves. Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 45.7g | Protein: 12.3g | Fat: 12.4g | Saturated Fat: 6.9g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 275mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 0.9g | Sugar: 25.2g | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 2mgSome of the links in this story use affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through our site, dobbernationLOVES will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps us to produce comprehensive content. Save this story to Pinterest!