Delectable Vegetable Tart…Buttery Crust, Fresh Greens

April 23, 2013

Food Republic

Fresh herbs and leafy greens are destined for more than just the salad bowl in this recipe by Tom Aikens from his cookbook Fresh, demonstrated so perfectly by food site favorite Food Republic.

This time of year the Farmer’s Markets are full of fresh produce which are lovely all their own, but there’s something about adding them to a buttery thin crust and baking with gruyère cheese and creme fraiche that takes veggie love to whole other level. The next time you’re thinking Pizza, give this recipe a shot instead!

I Should Cocoa

Servings: 4

Ingredients

3 sheets filo pastry

12 large sorrel leaves

1/3 cup rocket leaves (arugula)

6 spears asparagus

1/5 cup baby spinach leaves

1 medium courgette

8 spring onions

4 tablespoons butter

Mix the below ingredients together in a bowl with 1/2 the cheese and season to taste

1 tablespoon chopped chervil

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

4 tablespoons creme fraiche

4 tablespoons grated gruyère cheese

2 egg yolks

Directions:

Pre-heat the oven to 350˚F.
Slice the asparagus and courgette thinly lengthways on a mandolin, place a pan of salted water onto the heat and bring to a boil. Place the strips of asparagus into the water, remove after 10 seconds and place straight into iced water to cool. Repeat the same process for the courgette and dry both of them well on kitchen paper.
Cook the peas until just soft (approximately 2-3 minutes), refresh in iced water and dry on kitchen paper. Place a shallow pan on low to medium heat, then add half the butter. Once it has just melted, add the spring onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook briefly for 2-3 minutes until just cooked and place onto a tray to cool. Mix this with the egg and crème fraîche mixture in a bowl.
Melt the remaining butter, take a sheet of filo and brush all over on one side. Place another sheet on top and brush again with butter. Place the last sheet on top and brush with butter. Cut this into four equal rectangles, place another baking tray on top to keep the filo flat and bake these at 350˚F for approximately 15 minutes until golden and crispy.
Spread the spring onion and egg mixture onto the bottom of the filo, then lay on the sorrel and spinach leaves. Add the vegetables, courgette, asparagus, peas and rocket leaves last, sprinkle over some extra cheese and bake at 340˚F for 8-10 minutes.