Rustic Antipasto Tart Food

RUSTIC ANTIPASTO

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan to high. Brush eggplant slices with oil and place on grill. Season with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Grill eggplant 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Arrange sliced grilled eggplant on a platter and top with a splash of red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and chopped fresh parsley.
• Wedge table cheeses and arrange them on your antipasto platter. Arrange sliced drained roasted red peppers next to your eggplant.
• Combine artichokes and mushrooms in a bowl and toss with crushed garlic, lemon, extra-virgin olive oil, parsley, and thyme. Season artichokes and mushrooms with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Fan out sliced Italian meats on your platter between cheeses and pile your olives at the center of the platter. Prepare the rest of your meal. Just before serving, remove crushed garlic clove from artichokes and mushrooms and transfer the mixture to the antipasto platter.

RUSTIC PIES/GALETTES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
• Stir together the prepared fruit, 1/2 cup sugar, flour, and spices and/or seasonings in a large bowl until combined.
• On a well-floured surface, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out the dough into a large circle, about 12 to 14 inches. Make sure the rolled dough is chilled. Spoon the fruit mixture onto the center of the dough leaving a 1-inch border. Fold the edges of the dough over the fruit, pleating the dough, then dot the fruit filling with the butter pieces. Lightly brush the dough with egg wash and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons sugar.
• Bake the pie until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Cover the crust with foil if the crust browns too quickly. Cool.
• Serve the warm galette with ice cream.
• Cook's Note: The same recipe can be made in individual serving sizes.
• To make pie dough:
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a mixing bowl, mix together the flour and the salt; cut or work the butter into the flour with your fingers or a pastry blender until you have large pea sized chunks scattered throughout. Alternatively, pulse the dough in a food processor, or mix in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on low speed.
• Add the ice water slowly while stirring with a fork, or in the food processor or mixer, until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the dough. Divide the dough into 2 disks, flatten and refrigerate each for at least 15 minutes.
• Roll out one chilled pie dough to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Reserve the second pie dough disc for another use. Transfer dough to pie plate, pressing the dough lightly into the plate; trim the edges. Dock the dough with the prongs of a fork evenly over the bottom of the pie plate. Line the docked dough with aluminum foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
• Bake the pie crust until the edges are brown and golden, about 15 minutes Remove from the oven and remove the weights. Return crust to the oven to finish baking for another 5 minutes.
• Rustic Pie/Galette Variations:
• Almond Apricot: Season the sliced apricots with almond paste or extract.
• Spiced-Apple Pear: Season the sliced apples and pears with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar.
• All-Berry: Fill the baked crust with pastry cream and top with sweetened berries.
• Caramelized Onion and Walnut: Caramelize 4 Spanish onions; let cool. Top the dough with grated Gruyere cheese and spread the onions and toasted walnuts over the cheese.

ANTIPASTI PLATTER WITH HOMEMADE FLATBREADS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Place the peppers, skin-side up, on a non-stick baking sheet and brush over 1 tbsp of the oil. Roast for 30 mins.
• Meanwhile, drain the olives and place in a serving bowl, drizzle over 1 tbsp oil, then stir through the garlic and lots of black pepper. Place the feta, tzatziki and radishes in serving bowls.
• Remove the peppers from the oven, place in a bowl and cover with cling film. Leave until cool enough to handle, then peel off the skins. Dab dry with kitchen paper, remove the stalk and seeds, then slice into thin strips. Place in a serving bowl with the remaining 1 tbsp oil and the balsamic vinegar or glaze.
• To make flatbreads, sift the flour into a bowl and stir in the yogurt. Bring the mixture together to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead gently until smooth. Roll into 4 balls, then use a rolling pin to roll into circles as thin as you can (approx 2mm), then shake off any excess flour. Heat a large frying pan, add the flatbreads one at a time and cook for 1-2 mins each side. Keep warm in a low oven while you cook the rest. To serve, arrange the meat on a platter with the antipasti. Serve with the flatbreads.