Spinach Tart Food

BUTTERNUT SQUASH-SPINACH TART

Steps:

• Make the crust: Combine the olive oil and water in a measuring cup. Pulse the flour and 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor. With the machine running, add the olive oil mixture and pulse until the dough clumps together, adding up to 1 more tablespoon water if needed. Turn out onto a piece of plastic wrap; press into a disk and wrap. Let sit at room temperature while you make the filling.
• Make the filling: Wrap the squash in a kitchen towel and wring out as much liquid as possible; transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with the spinach and add to the squash; stir to break up any clumps. Add the ricotta, fontina, parmesan, half-and-half, scallions, parsley, 2 eggs, the nutmeg, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper; mix until combined.
• Position a rack in the bottom of the oven; preheat to 375 degrees F. Brush a quarter sheet pan or 9-by-13-inch straight-sided baking pan with olive oil. Cut off one-quarter of the dough; set aside. Roll out the remaining dough into an 11-by-15-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Trim the edges with a fluted cutter or a knife and ease into the pan. Spread the filling over the dough.
• Roll out the reserved dough into a 6-by-12-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Cut lengthwise into 10 strips with the fluted cutter; arrange in a lattice pattern over the filling, trimming as needed. Fold in the overhanging edges. Beat the remaining egg with a pinch of salt and brush on the crust. Bake until the crust is golden and the filling is set, about 50 minutes. Let cool on a rack 30 minutes before cutting.

SPINACH IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat the butter in a saute pan and cook the onions over medium-low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until tender. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Meanwhile, squeeze most of the water out of the spinach and place it in a bowl. Add the onion mixture, scallions, Gruyere, Parmesan, eggs, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and pignolis. Mix well.
• Unfold one sheet of puff pastry and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the spinach mixture in the middle of the pastry, leaving a 1-inch border. Brush the border with the egg wash. Roll out the second piece of puff pastry on a floured board until it's an inch larger in each direction. Place the second sheet of pastry over the spinach and seal the edges, crimping them with a fork. Brush the top with egg wash but don't let it drip down the sides or the pastry won't rise. Make three small slits in the pastry, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the pastry is lightly browned. Transfer to a cutting board and serve hot.

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.

PAUL MCCARTNEY'S SPINACH TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400.
• Place lined tart pan in oven, bake for 10-15 minutes.
• Gently cook spinach with half the butter, until wilted. Drain and chop finely.
• Heat rest of butter and cook onions until soft.
• Spread spinach and onion over bottom of pie crust.
• In processor or blender blend eggs, yolks, cream, mustard and seasonings.
• Stir in cheese then pour over spinach and onion and return to oven for 20-25 minutes, until top is golden.
• Turn off heat and leave in oven for 5 miutes (may leave oven door ajar to prevent over browning).
• Serve.

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.

SPINACH TART WITH OLIVE-OIL CRACKER CRUST

Steps:

• Crust: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk together flours, salt, and sesame seeds in a large bowl. Stir in oil and water, then knead until a ball forms. Roll out dough into a 12-inch round and fit it into a 9 1/2-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Trim any excess length. Prick bottom all over with a fork and bake until crust is golden brown and crisp, about 35 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
• Filling: Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Place spinach in a large pot (if spinach is dry, add 1/4 cup water) and cover. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until just wilted, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a colander to drain. When cool enough to handle, wrap in a kitchen towel and squeeze to remove excess water. Coarsely chop and transfer to a bowl. Wipe pot dry and heat oil over medium heat. Add shallot, garlic, and red-pepper flakes; cook, stirring, until shallot is softened, about 4 minutes. Transfer to bowl with spinach. Add feta, eggs, and salt; stir until combined.
• Pour filling into crust and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake tart until just set, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with red-pepper flakes.

SPINACH, BACON & ROQUEFORT TART

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Roll out the pastry onto a lined baking sheet. Using the tip of a sharp knife, mark a 2cm border around the edge. Brush the pastry all over with the egg and bake for 10 mins. Leave for 5 mins, then press down the centre with your hands, leaving the border. Top with the spinach, tomatoes and roquefort, and return to the oven for 10-15 mins. Meanwhile, fry the bacon until very crispy. Drain and chop or break into shards and scatter over the tart.

MUSHROOM & BABY SPINACH TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use it to line a deep 22cm flan tin. Let the edges overhang, don't trim them yet. Chill in the fridge or freezer for at least 15 mins.
• Line the tart case with baking parchment and fill it with baking beans. Place on a baking tray, then bake for 15-20 mins. Remove the beans and parchment, then return to the oven for another 5 mins to cook the base. Remove, then reduce oven temperature to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3.
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then cook the mushrooms for 1 min. Add the spinach, then cook for 3 mins more or until wilted down. Combine the eggs with the milk and cream in a jug and season well. Build up the tart by sprinkling the cheese onto the base, then scatter over the vegetables and pour over the cream and egg mix. Sprinkle the thyme over the top, then bake for 40-45 mins or until set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Trim the pastry edges and serve in slices with the salads, below.

SPINACH QUICHE TARTS

Steps:

• Line 3 tart tins with pastry.
• Brush pastry with 2 tbsp.
• melted butter and refrigerate for 30 minutes before filling.
• Add 1 teaspoon of drained spinach to each shell.
• Top each tart with cheese.
• Beat 3 eggs and 1 cup half and half cream.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Spread 1 tablespoon of mixture into tart shells.
• Bake at 375° for 20 to 25 minutes.