Smoked Salmon And Herb Puff Pastry Tart Food

SMOKED SALMON PUFFS

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Unfold the pastry, and cut out rounds with a 1 1/2-inch round cookie cutter (you should get roughly 40). Space them at least 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly score the center of each round with a 3/4-inch cookie cutter (don't press all the way through). Lightly brush each round with the egg.
• Invert another rimmed baking sheet on top of the dough rounds, and bake for 5 minutes. (Covering the rounds helps them puff straight up evenly.) Remove the top baking sheet, and continue to bake until golden, 8 to 10 minutes more. Let the rounds cool completely on the baking sheet, then use the handle of a wooden spoon to gently punch a hole in the middle of each round. (The baked pastry can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 day or frozen for up to 1 month.)
• Meanwhile, microwave the vinegar and sun-dried tomatoes in a small bowl, covered, for 30 seconds; let cool. Reserve 1 teaspoon of the vinegar, and finely chop the tomatoes. Finely shred the cucumber, and squeeze out all the excess moisture. Mash together the tomatoes, reserved vinegar, shredded cucumber, cream cheese, chives and 1/4 teaspoon salt with a fork in a medium bowl until smooth. Transfer the cream cheese filling to a pastry bag or resealable plastic bag (cut off the tip). (The filling can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.)
• Tear or cut the salmon into 40 small pieces, and roll each into a rough rosette shape. Pipe some of the filling into each puff. Top each with a piece of salmon, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. (The salmon puffs can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours.)

RADISH AND SMOKED SALMON TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Roll out the puff pastry into an 11-inch square on a sheet of parchment paper. Transfer the dough on the parchment to a baking sheet. Beat the egg with a splash of heavy cream. Brush a 1-inch border of the egg wash around the edges of the dough, then fold in each about 1/2 inch to make a thin border and press to seal. Prick the center of the dough all over with a fork, then brush all over with the egg wash.
• Bake the dough until crisp and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Prick the center of the dough with a paring knife and gently press with the bottom of a measuring cup to flatten, if necessary. Remove to a rack and let cool.
• Meanwhile, soak the sliced radishes in a large bowl of ice water until crisp and just starting to curl, about 15 minutes; drain and pat dry with paper towels.
• Mix the garlic-herb cheese spread and heavy cream in a medium bowl until smooth. Whisk the vinegar, tarragon, parsley and a pinch of kosher salt in a large bowl. Add the radishes and smoked salmon and toss to coat.
• Spread the cheese mixture on the cooled crust, then pile the radishes and smoked salmon on top. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

SMOKED SALMON, FENNEL AND HERBED MASCARPONE TART

Steps:

• Trim the fennel. Halve the fennel top to bottom, then use a paring knife to cut out the thick core in the center. Remove the tough outer layer. Using a mandoline or sharp knife, slice the fennel horizontally as thinly as possible. You should have about 3 to 3 1/2 cups.
• Grate 1 1/2 teaspoon zest from the lemon, then squeeze out 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, keeping zest and juice separate.
• In a mixing bowl, toss together fennel slices, lemon juice, olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of black pepper. Let sit for 20 minutes to soften fennel.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 425 degrees, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In another medium mixing bowl, use a rubber spatula to mix together the mascarpone, herbs, egg, lemon zest, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until well combined.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry out to form a 13-by-11-inch rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet. With a sharp knife, lightly score a 1/2-inch border around the edges of the puff pastry.
• Spread mascarpone mixture evenly inside the scored border. Drain the excess liquid from the fennel and arrange the slices in an even layer on top of the mascarpone.
• Bake until the pastry is puffed and golden, 22 to 28 minutes. Let tart cool on its baking sheet on a rack for at least 15 minutes before serving (or up to 4 hours).
• To serve, cut tart into pieces. Drape each with a slice of smoked salmon, sprinkle with a little lemon juice, and garnish with capers, dill and black pepper.

SALMON & SPINACH TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and line a large baking sheet with baking parchment. Unroll the pastry sheet and score a border about 1cm from the edge. Prick the middle area with a fork all over and glaze the border with the egg yolk. Bake the pastry for 15 mins until puffed up and almost cooked.
• Meanwhile, put the salmon fillets in a microwaveable dish and cover with cling film. Cook in the microwave on High for 2 mins until just cooked. Set aside to cool for 1-2 mins, then flake into chunky pieces. Mix the crème fraîche with the mustard in a small bowl and season.
• Take the pastry out of the oven and flatten the middle area with the back of a spoon. Cover the base with the crème fraîche sauce, then scatter the spinach and salmon flakes over. Bake in the oven for a further 5 mins or until the pastry is cooked and golden. Serve with dressed mixed leaves.

SMOKED SALMON, DILL & ONION TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. On a floured board, roll out the pastry to about the thickness of a £1 coin. Press into a 20cm tart tin with a removable bottom. Line the pastry with greaseproof paper and fill with baking beans. Bake for 20-25 mins until the sides of the pastry turns golden brown. Remove the baking beans and greaseproof paper and prick all over the base and sides of the pastry with a fork. Put the tart shell back into the oven for another 10 mins until the base is cooked and the pastry is biscuity brown all over. Leave to cool on a wire rack.
• In a saucepan, cook the onions in the olive oil for 5 mins until soft. Season with salt and pepper if you like, and set aside to cool. Stir together the lemon juice and crème fraîche, and then set aside.
• Assemble the tart: spread the onion over the base and arrange the smoked salmon pieces on top. Sprinkle over the capers, dill and lemon zest. Keep the tart in its tin, cover with cling film or foil and refrigerate until serving, drizzled with crème fraîche.