Ham Tomato Watercress Tart Food

HAM, TOMATO & WATERCRESS TART

Steps:

• Place the flour, polenta, butter and a pinch of salt into a food processor, then whizz until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Tip in the Parmesan and egg, then pulse through 2 tbsp cold water until the mixture forms a ball. Wrap in cling film, then chill for 30 mins.
• Dust a work surface with more polenta, then roll out the pastry to the thickness of a £1 coin and wide enough to fit a 28cm tart case. Gently ease into the case, then trim away any big bits of overhanging pastry (leave a little excess sticking up around the edges as the pastry will shrink when cooking). Chill for another 30 mins.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Place a sheet of baking parchment into the pastry case, then fill with baking beans. Bake for 15 mins. Remove the beans and parchment, then bake for another 5 mins or until the pastry is golden. Leave to cool a little. Use a serrated knife to trim away any bits of overhanging pastry, then place the pastry case on a baking sheet.
• Reduce oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Whisk the eggs and cream with a little salt. Arrange the ham, tomatoes and watercress in the case, then pour around the egg mixture. Cook for 30 mins, just until the egg has set. Can be made up to 1 day ahead and chilled.

HAM AND CHEESE PUFF TART

Steps:

• On a floured work surface, roll each sheet puff pastry to a 10-by-13-inch rectangle. Transfer to 2 parchment-lined baking sheets and refrigerate. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium. Add flour; cook, stirring, until golden, 1 minute. Whisking constantly, add milk and simmer. Stir until thickened, 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and pinch of nutmeg. Pour sauce into a bowl and let cool 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with rack in lower third. Arrange ham evenly on 1 pastry sheet, leaving a 3/4-inch border; top with cheese and sauce. Brush pastry border with egg; top with second pastry sheet. Fold bottom edges over top and press to seal. Brush top with egg and cut vents in tart. Bake until browned and puffed, 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CHEESE, HERB & TOMATO TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°.
• Roll crust to fit a tart pan with removable bottom or in a pinch, use a pie plate.
• Brush bottom & sides of crust with mustard.
• Sprinkle with cheese, top with herbs, overlap tomatoes, sprinkle tomato slices with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake until pastry is golden, about 30-35 minutes.
• Lest rest for 10 minutes before serving. Cut into wedges.
• Notes:.
• •Pillsbury rolled crust works beautifully.
• •any spicy stone ground mustard will work.
• •I cut the tops off the tomatoes and used a melon baller to scoop out the seeds.
• •I used both cheeses.

TOMATO, HAM AND CHEESE BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Combine ham, mayo, and parsley.
• In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs, cheese and melted butter.
• In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, place 1/3 of the tomatoes, top with 1/3 of the ham mixture, cover with 1/3 of the breadcrumb mixture.
• Repeat process, creating 2 more layers.
• Bake 45-50 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
• Let sit 10 minutes before serving.