Silverbeet Swiss Chard Or Spinach And Ricotta Torte Food

SILVERBEET (SWISS CHARD ) PIE AKA " GRASS PIE"

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F ( 200°C ) 15 to 20 degrees less if using a fan-forced oven.
• Heat the olive oil in a non-stick frypan and add the garlic and chopped leek. Cook on a gentle to medium heat until the leek has softened. Set aside to cool.
• Remove the course stems from the silverbeet and just use the green leaves. Chop them roughly and add the whole bunch to a large saucepan. Add 1 cup of water. Cook over a medium heat with the lid on until the spinach has steamed and wilted down. Do not overcook the spinach- it should only take a few minutes to this point.
• When the silverbeet has wilted - strain it as much as possible and place on a clean tea-towel. Wrap the silverbeet in a clean tea-towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Chop the silverbeet finer if desired and add it to a large mixing bowl.
• Add the cooked leek mixture, eggs, cheeses, salt and pepper to the silverbeet. Mix and pour into the pie shell.
• Decorate with the sliced tomato and sprinkle over some more cracked black pepper and salt.
• Bake in the oven approx 40 minutes or until set through. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with a salad or more veggies on the side.

SILVERBEET (SWISS CHARD) - OR SPINACH - LEEK & GARLIC QUICHE

Steps:

• Use pastry to line the base and sides of a 2.5cm deep, 26cm (base) fluted, loose-based flan pan.
• Trim excess pastry.
• Place pan and pastry in the freezer for 15 minutes or until firm.
• In a small pan, shaking the pan frequently, toast the pine nuts until lightly browned; remove from the pan and set aside.
• Or you can use the same larger pan that you then use for steps 3-5.
• Place the bacon in a large non-stick pan over a medium-high heat and cook, stirring often, for 4 minutes or until light golden.
• Add the leek and garlic to the pan and cook for 2 minutes or until they have softened.
• Add the silverbeet - or spinach - and toss all the ingredients until they are well-combined; remove the pan from the heat and set aside for 3 minutes or until the silverbeet - or spinach - has wilted and completely cooled.
• Place a baking tray in the oven and preheat the oven and tray to 200°C.
• Place the flan pan on the hot tray and bake the pastry case for 10 to 12 minutes or until it is lightly golden.
• Remove the flan pan and pastry case from the oven and reduce the heat to 180°C.
• Spread the silverbeet mixture over the pastry base, top with cheese and pine nuts.
• With a fork, beat the eggs, cream, milk and salt and pepper to taste, in a jug; and pour over the egg mixture the cheese.
• Cook the quiche for 25 to 30 minutes or until it has set in the centre.
• Serve warm or at room temperature with a salad and crusty rolls.
• Notes: If using baby spinach leaves, you may want to leave them whole. Some people remove the stalks, but I always find baby spinach leaves, stalks and all, so tender that I leave the stalks on. IT's a bit of a timesaver too!

ORECCHIETTE WITH SAUSAGE AND GREENS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to boil.
• Meanwhile remove sausge from it's casing. Heat a small amount of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat and cook the sausage until browned and cooked through.Transfer cooked sausauge to a large bowl.
• In the same pan add a tablespoon of olive oil and turn heat to high. Once the oil is hot, add half the greens. Let the greens sit for a minute undisturbed.
• Season with a pinch of kosher salt and crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Add half the garlic.
• Bein to toss the greens around until they start wilting. Once wilted transfer to the large bowl.
• Repeat with the remaining greens and transfer the greens to the bowl.
• Don't wash the pan yet.
• Cook the pasta in salted water. Reserve a cup of the pasta water.
• In the same saute pan add half the reserved cooking liquid and add the 1 tablespoon of butter. Let simmer until reduced slightly.
• Add the pasta to the large bowl with the sausage and greens.
• Pour the cooking liquid-butter mixture over top.
• Add the cheese and stir with a large spoon.
• Add more cooking liquid if necessary.
• Dish out the pasta topping with pepper and more parmesan cheese.

BEEF AND SPINACH OR SILVERBEET ( SWISS CHARD) ROLLS

Steps:

• Trim schnitzels of any visible fat.
• Spread each evenly with the first measure of mustard.
• Place a spinach or silverbeet leaf on top of each and trim to fit.
• Sprinkle over the grated apple and pepper.
• Roll each up 'swiss roll' style and secure with toothpicks.
• Heat a little oil in a frying pan and add the rolls.
• Cook gently, turning often to brown evenly, for approx 12-15 minutes.
• Add 2-3 Tablespoons of water if the pan starts to dry out.
• When cooked, remove from pan and keep warm.
• Blend the half cup of water with the second measure of mustard and the cornflour.
• Add this to the pan and stir well until it thickens.
• Add the rolls back in to coat with sauce or place rolls on warmed serving plates and top with the sauce.

SWISS CHARD (OR SPINACH) PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°.
• Brown onion and garlic in oil.
• Trim and chop chard, add to pan and cook down until wilted.
• Beat eggs in a bowl; mix in cheese, salt and chard mixture.
• Pour into pie crusts; bake until knife inserted into center comes out clean, 30-40 minute.

SPICY SWISS CHARD OR SPINACH

Steps:

• In a large skillet over high heat, add oil, red pepper flakes and garlic and toast the garlic until golden brown(watch carefully, don't let it burn!).
• Add the chard or spinach and toss quickly.
• Stir in a splash of white wine.
• Cook and toss until liquid evaporates and greens are wilted.
• Add the sugar, season with salt and serve. Enjoy!

RICOTTA TORTE

Steps:

• Position oven rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°; grease the bottom and sides of a 9 x 3 inch springform pan; sprinkle the bottom of the pan with 1/3 cup cookie crumbs.
• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the ricotta and sour cream; process until smooth.
• Add in the egg yolks and ½ cup of sugar; process until well blended.
• Add in the flour, vanilla extract, amaretto, orange zest, and salt; process until blended.
• Transfer mixture to a bowl.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, using the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar at med-high speed until soft peaks begin to form.
• Gradually add in teh remaining ¼ cup sugar and beat at high speed until the whites form stiff, shiny peaks.
• Gently fold 1/3 of the whites into the ricotta mixture; then fold in the remaining whites in two more additions.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 cup cookie crumbs over the top.
• Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake the cake for 35-45 minutes, until the top is browned and cracked and the center jiggles but is not liquid.
• Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool for 30 minutes.
• Run a thin knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake; remove the side of the pan and cool cake until just slightly warm.
• To serve, slice cake using a thin-bladed sharp knife; store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days.

TRADITIONAL SWISS CARROT CAKE (AARGAUER RUEBLI TORTE)

Steps:

• Combine carrots and nuts in a mixing bowl.
• In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs with the spices and baking powder, then blend into the carrot mixture.
• Beat the egg yolks until thick and lemony.
• Gradually beat the granulated sugar into the yolks, along with the lemon rind and the Kirsch (more authentic) or lemon juice (if you don't like to use alcohol in your cooking).
• Beat this mixture until thick, then stir into the carrot mixture.
• Beat egg whites in a clean bowl until stiff peaks form, then fold them gently into the carrot mixture- do not overmix.
• Line an 8" springform pan with waxed paper or parchment.
• Grease pan (including the paper lining) and dust with a very light sprinkling of fine dry breadcrumbs.
• Shake pan to make sure breadcrumbs coat evenly.
• Pour batter into the pan and bake in a preheated moderate oven at 350 F for 1 hour, or until a cake tester comes out clean.
• Let cool.
• Mix together glaze ingredients.
• Remove sides from pan and set cake on a wire rack that has been set over wax paper to catch the drips.
• Spoon the glaze over the top of the cake and sides, using a spatula to even out the glaze as you prefer.
• Garnish with some candied fruits, if desired.
• Store in a tightly covered cake box.
• This cake improves with age.