Butternut Squash Spinach Tart Food

UPSIDE-DOWN BUTTERNUT SQUASH TART

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Put the puff pastry on a cutting board, put an inverted 10-inch nonstick ovenproof skillet on top and cut the pastry with a knife. Transfer the pastry round to a parchment-lined baking sheet and poke all over with a fork. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Put the sugar in the bottom of the 10-inch skillet. Heat over medium heat, shaking the skillet frequently, until the sugar is a dark caramel color, about 5 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, separate the necks and bulbs of the squash using a sharp knife. Reserve the bulbs for another use. Cut the stems off the necks and peel the necks with a peeler. Using a mandoline, slice the squash as thinly as possible while keeping them as whole circles.
• Start to arrange 1 layer of overlapping squash slices over the bottom of the skillet in concentric circles. Sprinkle with half the thyme, half the sage and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Lay down another layer of squash and top with the remaining thyme and sage and another 1/2 teaspoon salt. Top with any remaining squash and place the puff pastry round on top.
• Transfer the skillet to a baking sheet and bake until the pastry is golden brown, about 45 minutes. Let cool for 3 minutes in the skillet and invert onto a plate. Top with freshly grated Parmesan.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH TART WITH CHILE HONEY

Steps:

• For the crust: Butter a 9-inch springform pan. Put the flour, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and process until thoroughly combined with no visible chunks of butter. Add the egg and pulse until the dough just starts to clump. Transfer the dough to the springform pan and press it evenly on the bottom and 1 inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• For the filling: Adjust an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Toss the butternut squash slices with the melted butter, sage, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
• Sprinkle the Parmesan and breadcrumbs evenly on the bottom of the crust, then scatter over 1/2 cup of the gruyere cubes. Lay out a single layer of butternut squash slices, breaking off pieces of squash to fill any gaps. Scatter another 1/2 cup of gruyere over the squash. Top with the rest of the butternut squash slices and then the remaining 1/2 cup gruyere.
• Put the springform pan on a baking sheet and bake, until the squash can be pierced easily with a knife, about 1 hour and 40 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes. (If the crust gets too dark, cover loosely with foil.)
• Meanwhile, combine the vinegar, crushed red pepper and the remaining 2 tablespoons honey in a microwave-safe bowl large enough to contain it (the honey may boil over in the microwave). Microwave for 30 seconds to heat up the honey and infuse the chile flavor. Reserve.
• Drizzle the tart all over with the chile-infused honey and serve immediately.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH & SPINACH FILO PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put the squash, onions and chilli flakes in an ovenproof pie dish (or 4 individual dishes). Season and cook for 20 mins until the squash is tender and the onions are starting to char at the edges.
• Meanwhile, put the spinach in a colander and pour over a kettleful of boiling water. Squeeze out any excess liquid and stir into the squash mix. Dot over the feta, crumple up the pastry and place on top, then brush with the oil. Return to the oven and cook for a further 15 mins until the pastry is golden and crisp. Serve with a green salad, if you like.

SQUASH AND SPINACH LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Soak the lasagna noodles in warm water.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, onions and salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and browned, about 10 minutes. If the mixture becomes too dry, add a tablespoon or two of water.
• Meanwhile, stir together 1/2 cup of the milk and the cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth. Heat the remaining 3 1/2 cups milk in a large saucepan until bubbling. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the milk and bring to a boil. Simmer, stirring, until the milk thickens to the consistency of a thin batter, about 5 minutes. Stir in the onion mixture, spinach, parsley and nutmeg, and cook until the spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• Drain the noodles. Spread 1 cup of the spinach mixture over the bottom of a 13- by 9- by 2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles over the spinach. Arrange half of the squash over the noodles, overlapping slightly, and sprinkle with one-third of the mozzarella. Spoon 1 cup spinach mixture over the cheese, and top with 3 noodles, the remaining squash and another third of the mozzarella. Top with 1 cup spinach mixture, followed by the last 3 noodles and the remaining 1 cup spinach mixture. Cover tightly with foil; reserve the remaining mozzarella.
• Bake for 40 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top. Bake until bubbling and the squash is tender, about 15 minutes. Let stand at least 10 minutes before serving.

BUTTERNUT RICOTTA TART WITH FIERY ROCKET SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put the squash on a baking tray. Toss in half the oil, season and spread out into a single layer (you may need 2 baking trays). Roast for 30-35 mins or until tender.
• Meanwhile, place a large rectangle of baking parchment on a baking tray. Unroll the pastry and lay it on top. Score a 1cm border with the tip of a knife and prick the inside part all over with a fork. Bake in the oven for 15 mins.
• Mix the ricotta, sage, nutmeg, lemon zest and plenty of seasoning in a bowl. Once the pastry and squash are cooked, remove from the oven. Gently press the centre of the pastry case down with the back of a spoon. Spread the ricotta mix into the centre. Lay on squash Bake for a further 10-15 mins until the pastry is golden and crisp. Mix the lemon juice, rocket, chilli, pine nuts and 1 tbsp oil. Scatter half over the tart and serve the rest on the side.

ROASTED MUSHROOM AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH TART

Steps:

• Prepare the dough: In a medium bowl, sprinkle dry yeast and sugar over 2/3 cup/158 milliliters warm water. Let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes, then add oil.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flours and salt, then stir in yeast mixture with a wooden spoon until combined. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until dough is uniform and elastic, 3 to 5 minutes, adding more flour if needed. (Flour your hands if necessary to keep dough from sticking.) Or, if the dough seems a bit dry, add a bit more water.
• Transfer to an oiled bowl, turn dough to coat it with oil, cover with a damp cloth and let rest in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 1 to 2 hours (or longer if you kitchen is cold or drafty).
• Meanwhile, prepare the topping: Heat oven to 450 degrees. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss mushrooms and leeks with 2 tablespoons olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. On another rimmed baking sheet, toss the squash with 1 tablespoon oil and salt and pepper to taste. Spread squash and mushroom mixtures out evenly on their respective pans and roast until lightly browned at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes for the mushrooms, 18 to 22 for the squash. Don't let the vegetables get too brown, you will be cooking them again. Transfer baking sheets to a wire rack and let vegetables cool. (You can roast the vegetables up to 8 hours in advance.)
• Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet. Roll dough out on a floured surface to an 11- by 16-inch/28- by 41-centimeter rectangle, then transfer to oiled baking sheet and press the dough out to the sides. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.
• Heat oven back to 450 degrees. Spread mushroom mixture over dough, sprinkle with thyme and red pepper flakes and top with squash. Sprinkle lightly with salt, then with cheese, then drizzle with olive oil. Bake until golden brown all over, 14 to 18 minutes. Serve hot or warm, sprinkled with chives if desired and lemon juice to taste.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND CARAMELIZED ONION TART

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface roll out dough into a 12-inch round (about 1/8 inch thick). Fit dough into an 11-inch tart pan with a removable fluted rim. Freeze shell 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Line shell with foil and fill with pie weights or raw rice. Bake shell in middle of oven until edge is pale golden, about 20 minutes. Carefully remove foil and weights or rice and bake shell 10 minutes more, or until bottom is golden. Leave oven on. Cool shell in pan on a rack.
• Halve squash and scoop out seeds. Lightly brush each cut side with about 1 teaspoon oil and on a baking sheet roast squash, cut sides down, in middle of oven 40 minutes, or until soft.
• While squash is roasting, thinly slice onion and in a heavy skillet cook in 1/2 tablespoon butter and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, about 20 minutes.
• Cool squash and scoop out flesh. In a food processor purée squash. Add whole egg, egg yolk, and cream and blend well. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and stir in cheeses, herbs, onion, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour filling into shell, smoothing top.
• In a small skillet melt remaining tablespoon butter and stir in bread crumbs until combined well. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly over filling. Bake tart in middle of oven 40 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool tart in pan on rack 10 minutes and carefully remove rim.

SPICY BUTTERNUT SQUASH PASTA WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Bring a large covered pot of heavily salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet with high sides and a tight-fitting lid (or a Dutch oven), heat the oil over medium-high until shimmering. Add the squash and season with salt, cumin and red-pepper flakes. Cook, stirring every minute, until squash becomes browned in spots and feels just tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400 degrees. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook, uncovered, until not quite al dente, 3 to 4 minutes less than the package instructions. (It should be a little too firm to the bite.) Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain. If the pasta is done before the squash, then stir in a drizzle of olive oil so that it doesn't stick together.
• When the squash is just tender, add the broth. Bring to an active simmer, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is soft and easily mashable, 10 to 12 minutes. Turn off the heat, then use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to crush about half of the butternut squash and leave the rest chunky. Season the squash to taste, keeping in mind that salty Parmesan will be added soon.
• Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with 1 cup reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, stirring vigorously to combine. Stir in the spinach one handful at a time until it shrinks down a little.
• Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan, the mozzarella and jalapeño, then place in the oven, on a sheet pan if you are worried about dripping. Cook until the top is melted and browned in spots, 12 to 15 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil, top with parsley and serve.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND CREAMED-SPINACH GRATIN

Steps:

• If using fresh spinach, bring 1 inch water to a boil in a 6- to 8-quart pot over high heat. Add spinach, a few handfuls at a time, and cook, turning with tongs, until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water.
• Thoroughly squeeze cooked fresh or thawed frozen spinach in small handfuls to remove excess moisture, then coarsely chop and transfer to a bowl.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in an 8-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, then cook onion and garlic, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add onion mixture to spinach along with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cream and stir to combine.
• Put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 400°F. Butter a 3-quart shallow baking dish (13 by 9 inches; not glass).
• Cut squash to separate bulb section from solid neck section, then cut pieces lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices with slicer.
• Layer squash and spinach mixture in baking dish, using about one fifth of squash and one fourth of spinach for each layer, beginning and ending with squash. Sprinkle top layer of squash evenly with cheese and dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter, then cover directly with a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Bake until squash is tender and filling is bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove paper and bake gratin until browned in spots, 10 to 15 minutes, or broil 3 inches from heat, 2 to 3 minutes.

CRISP SPINACH TART WITH SQUASH WEDGES

Steps:

• Mix together the eggs and ricotta, then add the spinach, spring onion and pesto.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Toss the squash in a little of the tomato oil, spread out on a baking sheet and roast for 15 mins. Unwrap the pastry and cover with a just-damp piece of kitchen paper. Mix the butter with 2 tbsp tomato oil.
• Brush the butter mixture over 1 sheet of pastry, then place in a 23cm tart tin. Brush another piece of pastry with butter and place slightly further around the tin. Keep brushing and lining the tin (keeping the pastry covered when not using) until you have used up the pack and the tin is completely covered. Trim away any pastry overhanging the edges of the tin, then bake for 5-10 mins until starting to crisp. Spoon the spinach mixture into the tin and scatter with the tomatoes. Cook for 20-25 mins more alongside the squash until the tart is set and the squash is cooked through.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH ONIONS, SPINACH, AND CRAISINS®

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Slice butternut squash cross-wise into 1-inch slices; peel and clean each slice, removing and discarding seeds and stringy pulp from the center. Cut cleaned slices into 1-inch cubes.
• Toss squash cubes, onion, and olive oil together in a bowl until coated; transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
• Roast in the preheated oven until squash is tender and starting to brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Toss squash mixture, spinach, dried cranberries, and pecans together in a serving bowl and serve warm.