Leek Artichoke Feta Tart Food

ARTICHOKE AND FETA TARTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Blend cream and 2 ounces feta in a food processor until smooth; season with salt and pepper.
• If using 14-ounce package of puff pastry, cut in half and roll out each half on a lightly floured surface into a 16x10" rectangle. (If using 17.3-ounce package, use 1 sheet of pastry for each tart.) Transfer each piece of pastry to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a paring knife, lightly score pastry (do not cut all the way through), leaving a 1" border.
• Spread feta mixture over pastry, dividing evenly and staying within border. Arrange artichoke hearts over feta mixture and crumble remaining 2 ounces feta over; drizzle with oil. Brush pastry border with egg.
• Bake tart until pastry is puffed and beginning to brown, 10-15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F and continue to bake until pastry is deep golden brown and cooked through, 20-25 minutes longer. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Do Ahead
• Tart can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Variations:
• The feta and puff pastry in this tart pair well with any number of toppings. In place of the artichokes, try:
• Red Pepper + Olive: Scatter feta cream with jarred roasted red peppers, black olives, and chopped fresh rosemary, then bake. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil.
• Asparagus + Egg: Top cheese with asparagus that's been halved lengthwise. Once out of the oven, slide on a few fried eggs.
• Smoked Salmon + Scallion: Bake tart with feta only. When slightly cooled, add smoked salmon and sliced scallions.

LEEK TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Line a 9-inch pie pan with dough. Clean and trim leeks, and julienne. Melt the butter, add leeks and season and cook covered over medium to low heat for 20 minutes until softened. Mix the eggs and cream and all but 1/4 cup of the cheese and add the cooled leeks. Pour into pie shell, top with cheese and bake for 40 minutes.
• BRAISED LEEKS
• In an 8-inch skilled saute leeks in butter. Add chicken broth to almost cover. Cover pan, and to cook for about 20 minutes, until tender. Remove leeks to a platter. Reduce cooking liquid, pour over platter of leeks and garnish with fresh thyme.
• FRIZZLED LEEKS
• Heat oil to hot, but not smoking. Toss julienned leeks with some flour in a bowl. Add to hot oil and fry. Can be used as a garnish.

LEEK, ARTICHOKE & FETA TART

Steps:

• Set oven at 400°F.
• Melt butter in a medium saucepan.
• Add leeks, and cook covered for 15 minutes (stirring occasionally).
• Stir in artichokes and garlic. Cook uncovered 5 minutes. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Add 1 tbsp dill; set aside.
• On floured board roll out puff pastry to 11 or 12-inch square.
• Gently slide onto Silpat or parchment paper and carefully put on baking sheet.
• Roll up edges about 1 inch to form edge.
• Beat egg with 2 tsp water and brush all over pastry.
• Prick bottom all over with fork and bake 15 minutes.
• Spread leek mixture over crust.
• Mix cheeses together and sprinkle over top.
• Sprinkle with pine nuts.
• Bake 10 minutes.
• Garnish with 2 Tbsp fresh dill roughly chopped.

FETA, SPINACH AND LEEK TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200°C.
• Cut the leek in half and thinly slice the pale part after washing, to achieve 1 cup.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan and lightly saute the leek over medium heat for 4 minutes.
• Add the spinach to saucepan, cover and cook until wilted, remove from heat and remove excess water by pressing the leaves into a strainer.
• Combine in a bowl sour cream, cream and lightly beaten eggs.
• Mix together.
• Add the crumbled Feta, spinach and coarsely shredded basil leaves.
• Season with cracked black pepper. stir well.
• Line a non stick, rectangular quiche pan (35 x 13cms) with the pastry, over lapping, gently pushing down in the centre.
• Gently push the pastry into the sides of the pan then trim excess pastry.
• Place the pastry lined pan onto a baking tray and lightly prick the base with a fork.
• Pour the prepared cream cheese mixture into the pan.
• Bake in the middle of the oven for 30-35 minutes until firm and golden.
• Remove from baking tray before serving or cutting.