Spinach Tart With Garlic Sesame Crust Food

SPINACH AND FETA TARTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the phyllo shells on a rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
• In large bowl, combine the cream cheese and mayonnaise and stir until smooth. Fold in the spinach, feta and garlic powder. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the filling among the phyllo shells, about 1 1/2 heaping tablespoons per shell. Bake until warmed through and the shells are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

SPINACH AND ONION TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 10-inch tart pan and line it with the pastry. Keep it in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
• Steam the spinach above an inch of boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes, until wilted. You will probably have to do this in batches. I like to use a pasta pot with an insert for steaming spinach, as I can get a lot of it into the insert. Rinse briefly with cold water, squeeze out excess water and chop medium-fine.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet and add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until it is tender and beginning to color, about 8 minutes. Add the spinach, thyme and salt and pepper to taste, and stir together. Remove from the heat.
• Whisk the eggs in a large bowl. Add salt to taste (I use about 1/2 teaspoon) and whisk in the milk. Stir in the onion and spinach mixture and the cheeses. Scrape into the pastry-lined tart pan. Place in the oven and bake 40 to 45 minutes, until tart is set and beginning to color on the top. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting. Serve warm or room temperature.

LEEK AND SPINACH TART WITH RICE CRUST

Steps:

• THE CRUST: Cook the rice for about 45 minutes in boiling water, or until quite soft; drain well but do not rinse; mix all the crust ingredients together and press into the base and sides of a lightly oiled 10 inch flan dish and chill while making the filling.
• THE FILLING: Heat the oil in a non-stick pan and, over a low heat, sauté the leeks and garlic slowly for about 15 minutes; add the baby spinach leaves and sauté until they have just wilted, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
• In another pan, blend the oil and flour and heat gently until bubbly, then stir in the milk or soy milk, tamari and freshly ground pepper.
• Bring to the boil and cook, while stirring, to make a thick white sauce. Combine the leeks mixture and the sauce, and pour the mixture into the pie crust.
• Bake in a moderate oven for 15-20 minutes. If you want a golden crisp topping, add the (optional) grated cheese in the last 5 minutes of baking. Or if you'd like some extra flavour and crunch, add the (optional) pine nuts in the last 5 minutes of baking.
• Serve with a simple green salad or one of Theodore Kyriakou's fabulous Greek salads: Recipe #141988 or Recipe #141992.
• NOTES: Tahini (one of the ingredients in most hummus recipes) is made from ground sesame seeds, and tamari is a pure form of soy sauce, free of chemicals and preservatives. Tamari can be used in any recipe instead of stock cubes. Both tahini and tamari are available in health food stores and larger supermarkets.

GARLIC-SESAME SPINACH

Steps:

• Cook 8 to 10 garlic cloves and a pinch of red pepper flakes in a skillet with vegetable oil until the garlic is golden. Add 10 cups baby spinach and cook until wilted; add a big splash of water and some salt. Top with toasted sesame seeds and drizzle with sesame oil.