Mini Kale And Fontina Breakfast Pies Food

MINI ITALIAN FRITTATAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Brush a standard 12-cup muffin tin with olive oil, including the top of the pan.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large (12-inch) sauté pan. Add the leeks and sauté for 3 minutes, until tender. Add the prosciutto and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, breaking it up with a fork. Add the spinach, tossing with tongs, then cover the pan and cook for 3 minutes, tossing once while it cooks, until the spinach is all wilted. Off the heat, stir in the basil and lemon juice and set aside for 5 minutes. Divide the mixture with tongs among the 12 muffin cups, leaving any liquid behind. Sprinkle the Fontina evenly on top.
• In a 4-cup liquid measuring cup, beat the eggs, half-and-half, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together with a fork. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the filling in each cup, filling the muffin cups to the top. Sprinkle each frittata with the Parmesan cheese.
• Bake the frittatas for 20 to 25 minutes, until puffed and lightly browned on top. If you insert a toothpick in the middle, they should feel firm. Cool for 5 minutes, remove with a small sharp knife onto a serving plate, and serve hot or warm.

MINI KALE AND FONTINA BREAKFAST PIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
• For the dough: In a food processor, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and pulse until the butter resembles pea-size pieces. Don't overmix. Drizzle in the cold water. The dough should form a solid mass. Add 1 or 2 additional tablespoons of water if needed for the dough to stick together. Remove the dough from the processor and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
• Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out circles of the dough using a 3-inch cookie cutter. Place the circles onto the paper-lined baking sheets and set in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• For the filling: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs with 1/4 cup of the milk and set aside.
• In a nonstick saute pan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter on medium-low heat. Add the shallots and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the kale and cook until wilted. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the egg and milk mixture and stir to create scrambled eggs. Remove and set aside in a bowl to cool slightly.
• Using the same pan, add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour to make a roux, stirring constantly for 4 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup milk slowly to avoid any lumps. Keep stirring and simmer for 5 minutes, until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the fontina. Season with salt and pepper.
• Pour the cheese mixture into the kale and egg mixture, stir, and let cool slightly. It should look like creamy scrambled eggs.
• Top each dough round with 1 to 2 teaspoons of filling, then fold in half to enclose to make the mini pies into half-moons. Seal the edges with a fork. Brush the top of each pie generously with the beaten egg.
• Bake the pies for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are flaky and golden. Cool slightly before serving.

DECONSTRUCTED PIZZA SKEWERS WITH ROASTED TOMATO, FRIED MOZZARELLA AND BASIL AIOLI

Steps:

• For the aioli, blend mayonnaise, basil, arugula, lemon juice, garlic, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a food processor until completely smooth.
• In a frying pan, warm a teaspoon of olive oil on medium heat.
• Add the tomatoes and stir to lightly cook and slightly blister their skins. Remove and cool.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg. Dredge the mozzarella in the egg and then in breadcrumbs. Fill a Dutch oven halfway with olive oil, heat until 400 to 450 degrees F, and fry the mozzarella balls approximately 30 seconds each or until golden brown on all sides. Set aside on a paper towel to cool.
• Once the mozzarella is at room temperature, use a toothpick or skewer and poke through one tomato then one mozzarella ball, dotting the tops with the basil aioli. Repeat.