Savory Summer Tart

I’m always looking for a new recipes that use artichokes, I just love them. I found this recipe on Pinterest for a Spinach, Artichoke and Caramelized Leek Tart, I prefer my name, it’s shorter and easier to say. We were going to our friends for dinner, so I made it but didn’t bake it, covered it with foil and off we went. I popped into the oven when we got there, served it up and there wasn’t a crumb to be found. Everyone agreed it’s a keeper!

There is a real depth of flavor between the sun-dried tomato spread, the caramelized leeks, artichokes and spinach that you get in every bite. It is a delicious appetizer that you can make ahead and pop in the oven when your guests arrive that will be ready in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients for Tart:

1 Tbs butter

2 cups chopped leeks (about 2 leeks, white and pale green parts only)

1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and patted dry

4-5 cups fresh spinach

1/2 tsp fresh thyme

2-3 cloves of garlic, minced

Kosher or Sea salt

Ground pepper

Water

1 Sheet of puff pastry, thawed but still cold

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Sun-dried tomato spread

Ingredients for Sun-dried Tomato Spread

1 Tbs olive oil

1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

8 ounce jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped

1 1/2 Tbs tomato paste

1/4 red wine vinegar or red wine

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried thyme

Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. Heat butter in a large skillet over low heat. Add the leeks with a pinch of salt and stir to coat with butter. Allow the leeks to sweat for about 8 minutes and the turn the heat up to medium. Allow the leeks to slowly caramelize, stirring frequently. As a brown glaze forms on the bottom of the pan add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water at a time, stir to incorporate the glaze back into the leeks. Once they are nicely caramelized (about 10 to 15 minutes), add the garlic, artichoke hearts and thyme. Cook for another 3 minutes, add the spinach. Cook until spinach is nicely wilted, season with a bit of salt and pepper. Turn off and set aside.

To make the Sun-dried Tomato Spread:

3. Add 1 Tbs olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Sauté  the onion, stirring occasionally for 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and let cool. Transfer mixture to food processor. Add red wine vinegar, basil, thyme, salt and pepper. Pulse until all ingredients are well combined. Set aside.

4. Roll out the puff pastry until it is approximately 11 x 15 inches. Place the dough on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll the edges slightly and crimp. Spoon the sun-dried tomato mixture over the puff pastry evenly. Place the artichoke, leek, spinach mixture over the top. Sprinkle with cheese.

5. Bake the tart for 25 to 30 minutes or until the edges are golden and firm.

Let sit for about 10 minutes to set until serving…peace and good eats!

 

 

 

 

Artichoke Tapenade…that Ain’t no Choke!

In my last post I wrote about cookbooks and mentioned David Lebovitz, well this recipe is from his cookbook My Paris Kitchen. As I was reading it (yes, reading a cookbook) I saw this recipe for an Artichoke Tapenade with Rosemary Oil, there are few things that I enjoy more than a good artichoke dish. I don’t like rosemary oil though, so I used regular olive oil. This is my new favorite, easy to make and delicious!

 

Ingredients

14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered

1/2 cup pitted green olives

1/3 cup olive oil + more for drizzle

1 Tbs capers, rinsed and squeezed dry

1 Tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Sea salt or kosher salt

Directions

In the bowl of a food processor, puree the artichoke hearts, olives, olive oil, capers, lemon juice, garlic and cayenne pepper until smooth. Taste, and season with a bit of salt if necessary. (I did not add any salt, the olives and capers did the trick.)

Serve drizzled with olive oil or rosemary oil if you prefer, along with toasted baguette, crackers, toasted pita or flat breads for dipping.

Serves 6 to 8. Will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

 

From Tarts to Tartines

The definition of a tartine is a “fancy French open faced sandwich topped with a rich spread”, what could be bad about that?…  And now that asparagus season is in full swing here is a very easy, very yummy asparagus tartine; the perfect hors d’oeuvre.

Tartine a la Asparagus!

1 lb Asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces

2 Tbsp Olive oil

Sea Salt

Pepper

1 Loaf crusty rustic bread

1/4 Basil pesto

1 Cup ricotta cheese

2 Scallions, chopped

Heat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl toss the asparagus with 1 Tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread asparagus out on baking sheet and roast in oven for about 8 minutes until tender but not mushy.

In the meantime cut bread into thin slices, put on baking pan and brush with remaining olive oil. Bake for about 5 to 8 minutes until slightly crispy.

Combine pesto with ricotta cheese to create the spread. To assemble, spread the ricotta mixture on each slice of bread, top with two or three pieces of asparagus and sprinkle with sliced scallions. Arrange on a pretty platter and serve’m up!