Roquefort Walnut Rolls Food

ROQUEFORT, LEEK AND WALNUT TART

Steps:

• Blend together flour, baking powder and half the salt in a bowl or a food processor. Beat egg yolk with 5 tablespoons cold water. Stir in olive oil. Pour this mixture over the flour mixture and beat with a fork if using a bowl, or pulse about a dozen times in the processor, until dough starts to come together. Add another teaspoon or two of water if mixture is too dry.
• Gather dough together and knead briefly on a lightly floured surface to form into a ball. Roll and trim to make an oblong 9 by 13 inches or a 12-inch round. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Fold up a half-inch border all around either shape. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Spread bacon in a heavy skillet and cook until very lightly browned. Stir in leeks and remaining salt and cook until softened and translucent. Stir in walnuts, sauté about 30 seconds, and remove from heat. Mash Roquefort and work in crème fraîche. Spread on pastry. Scatter leek, bacon and walnut mixture evenly on top. Bake 20 minutes, allow to cool briefly, cut in squares or wedges and serve.

ROQUEFORT & WALNUT ROLLS

Steps:

• Place the walnuts in a food processor and pulse to chop finely; leave to one side. Put the flours, 10g salt, yeast, butter and 300ml water in a bowl, stir together and begin massaging the ingredients for a minute. If the mixture seems dry, add more water a tbsp at a time to make a soft but not sticky dough, then knead in the bowl for a further couple of minutes to bring the dough together.
• Tip the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead well for 10 mins before returning to the bowl. Cover the bowl with cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hr. Briefly knead the walnuts into the dough, then leave to rise in the bowl for a further 20 mins.
• Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out into a rectangle, approx 50 x 20cm, 1cm thick. Sprinkle the Roquefort evenly over the dough and lightly press in. Place the rectangle width-ways in front of you and roll up the rectangle like a Swiss roll. Cut into 8 equal sized pieces and place them onto a lightly greased baking tray, cut-side down. Cover with cling film and leave to rise for 1 hr.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Brush each round of dough with the beaten egg and bake for 20 mins. Leave to cool for a few minutes and eat while still warm. These are delicious on their own or served with a soup or a chunky salad with apple in it.

CHICORY-ENDIVE ROQUEFORT AND WALNUT SALAD

Steps:

• To make the dressing whisk the two oils, mustard, vinegar, sugar & lemon juice together well.
• Season well with freshly ground black pepper & a touch of salt, the blue cheese is quite salty already.
• Keep the dressing at room temperature until serving. The dressing can be made up to 1 week ahead of time.
• To toast the walnuts, heat up a roomy frying pan over a high heat & add the walnuts. Pan-toast them for about 5-10 minutes, stirring around constantly until they are a deep golden colour but NOT dark brown or burnt! (You must keep an eye on them at all times.).
• Take off the heat & cool.
• Wash or wipe the chicory heads and cut 1" to 2" off the base of each one.
• Separate the leaves gently and wash again if necessary.
• Place the leaves into an attractive flat dish or on to a serving platter.
• Crumble over the blue cheese & pour over the dressing.
• Scatter the toasted walnuts over the top & serve immediately with crusty bread.

ONION, WALNUT AND ROQUEFORT TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• On a floured, cold surface, roll out the pie dough to a 14-inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Roll the dough onto the rolling pin and unroll onto the tart pan (use an 11" pan with a removable bottom).
• Gently mold the dough around the edges to completely line the pan. Roll the rolling pin over the edges of the pan to cut off the excess dough. Patch any spots with the extra dough and then freeze any remaining for later use. Chill the molded pie shell for about 20 minutes before baking or freeze, well wrapped until ready to use.
• When ready to bake, score the bottom of the tart shell with fork marks to prevent the dough from bubbling. "Blind bake" the tart shell by covering it fully with a sheet of parchment paper and filling the tart with rice or dried beans, making sure to completely fill in the shape of the shell with the beans. This weighted process will allow the crust to bake without shrinking or losing its shape.
• Bake for about 30 minutes, until shape has set and the dough is lightly colored.
• Remove the beans and parchment and store for later use.
• Return the tart shell to the oven and bake another 10 minutes until it is golden brown.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter and oil in a heavy based sauté pan. Add the onions and cook gently over medium heat, until the onions are caramelized, about 30 minutes.
• Once caramelized add the sherry and cook until the liquid has evaporated and the onions are dry.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Remove to a plate and chill in the refrigerator. The onions can be made two or three days ahead.
• Toast the walnuts in the oven until lightly colored, about 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, coarsely chop the nuts and then place in a colander or large holed strainer and shake until most of the bitter skins or "dust" is removed. Set aside until ready to use. The nuts can also be prepared ahead and kept well covered.
• To make the custard, simply whisk together the yolks and the heavy cream until mixed and season with salt, pepper and cayenne.
• To assemble, cover the bottom of the tart shell with an even distribution of the caramelized onions.
• Repeat again with the walnuts and then the Roquefort.
• Cover with the custard and bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until just golden. Remove from the oven and allow to set before serving.

ROQUEFORT AND WALNUT PUFF PASTRY ROLLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• On a lightly floured work surface, roll out puff pastry to 1/4 inch thick. Cut in half lengthwise.
• In a medium bowl, combine cheese and enough cream to make a spreadable paste. Spread half the mixture on one half of the prepared puff pastry, spreading to within 1/4 inch of the edges. Sprinkle with walnuts and rosemary. Starting from the long side, roll up pastry sheet and pinch the seal to seal. Repeat with other half of the puff pastry. Using a sharp knife, cut the rolls crosswise into slices 1/2 inch thick. Place on prepared baking sheet spacing the rolls 1 inch apart. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes.
• Remove baking sheet and bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until rolls are puffed and golden. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.