Zucchini And Tomato Tartlets With A Cheddar Crust Food

EASY ZUCCHINI, TOMATO, AND CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Remove the puff pastry from the package and let thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until no longer frozen but still cool.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook 5 minutes, or until the onion is slightly tender. Stir in the zucchini and saute just until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Mix in the drained tomatoes and raise the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring often, until the zucchini is tender but not mushy and the juices have evaporated. Let cool.
• Lightly butter a dark-colored 9-inch tart pan with a removable rim or a glass pie plate. On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry into an 11-inch square. Fit it into the tart pan or pie plate. Trim off the overhanging pieces of pastry with scissors. Refrigerate the crust, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or up to 8 hours, covered.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Stir in the cheese, salt, pepper, and cooled vegetables. Spoon the mixture into the tart pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is brown and a knife inserted in the center of the tart comes out clean. Remove the outer rim of the tart pan. Let the tart cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes before slicing. It is best to serve this tart very warm rather than piping hot.

ZUCCHINI AND TOMATO TARTLETS WITH A CHEDDAR CRUST

Steps:

• Prepare the crust: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together flours and salt. Pulse in butter and Cheddar until mixture resembles chickpeas. Drizzle in whisked egg and ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, up to 6 tablespoons, pulsing occasionally until mixture is just moist enough to hold together. Form dough into a ball, wrap with plastic and flatten into a disk. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
• While dough chills, prepare the filling. Heat oven to 425 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss zucchini and tomatoes with rosemary, salt, red pepper and olive oil; spread mixture out into one layer. Roast, tossing occasionally, until vegetables are tender and golden, 40 to 50 minutes. Stir honey and vinegar into the hot vegetables, then let cool completely.
• Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray or use a nonstick muffin pan. Roll out dough to a 12-by-16-inch rectangle, trimming any rough edges. Cut into a dozen 4-by-4-inch pieces and gently press each piece into the holes of the muffin tin, leaving the 4 corners hanging over the edges. Chill dough for at least another 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk together ricotta, egg, chives and garlic. Season with a large pinch each of salt and black pepper.
• Divide ricotta mixture into the bottom of each tart, using about 1 tablespoon each. Top with the roasted vegetables. Fold edges of crust over filling. Brush tops of tarts with cream or milk and sprinkle with cheese. Place muffin tin on a baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees until bubbling and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Drizzle tarts with a little honey (about 1/2 teaspoon per tartlet) if you like. Cool slightly before serving.

ZUCCHINI CRUST TOMATO BASIL TART

Steps:

• Place the zucchini and scallions in a large sauté pan.
• Cook over high heat, stirring frquently, until the zucchini shrinks, about 6 minutes.
• Drain in a colander.
• Press out excess water with a large spoon.
• Return the zucchini and scallions to the pan.
• Add 1/4 cup bread crumbs and 1/2 teaspoon each salt annd pepper.
• Allow to cool for 5 minutes, tossing frquently.
• Add the egg; toss.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F Coat a 9-inch pie pan with oil.
• Press the zucchini mixture into the bottom and up the sides, but not over the lip, of the pan.
• This"crust" is very thick.
• Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden.
• Remove and sprinkle with 1/2 cup Fontina.
• Top with the tomato slices, overlapping slightly if necessary.
• Season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Cover with 2 tablespoons bread crumbs, the basil, the olive oil and the remaining cup of Fontina.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is well browned.
• Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before cutting.
• Enjoy!

FRESH TOMATO AND ZUCCHINI TART

Steps:

• Make the pastry: Blend the cream cheese and the butter.
• Add the flour and salt and mix just until the dough starts to form a ball.
• Sprinkle the chives on a work surface.
• Turn out the dough and knead lightly until the chives are incorporated.
• Pat the dough into a disc about ½ inch thick.
• Wrap and refrigerate for atleast 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature to soften slightly.
• On a well-floured work surface, roll the dough into a 13 to 14 inch round.
• Roll the pastry onto the rolling pin and gently unroll it over an 11 inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Fit the dough evenly into the pan without stretching.
• Trim the overhanging dough to 1 inch from the rim.
• Fold the excess dough over and press it into the side of the pan.
• Refrigerate for 20 minutes, or until firm.
• Preheat the oven to 400F.
• Line the chilled tart shell with foil and weigh down with pie weights or dried beans.
• Bake for 15 minutes.
• Remove foil and weights and bake 10 minutes longer, or until just set and golden.
• Transfer to a rack to cool completely; then remove the fluted rim and place the shell on a serving platter.
• Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, stir together the olives, anchovies and capers.
• Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the baked shell.
• Starting at the edge, layer the tomato slices in overlapping, concentric circles.
• Season generously with lots of freshly-ground black pepper and salt.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet.
• Add the garlic and stir, over medium-high heat, for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
• Add the zucchini, season with salt and pepper and stir until softened slightly, about 1 minute.
• Spoon the zucchini over the tomatoes and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
• Serve at room temperature.