Wednesday, July 13, 2011

:: Bruschetta with Garlic Cream::


I innovated a recipe! Every now and then I get it right.

Garlic Cream
In a food processor, mix:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
1 large clove garlic
chives
fresh shaved Parmesan, to taste
fresh basil
salt & pepper

Tomato Mixture
2 tomatoes
1 large clove garlic
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
fresh basil, shredded
chives
freshly shaved Parmesan
salt & pepper

What To Do: Cut a baguette into rounds. Brush with olive oil. Broil until golden. Top with garlic Cream, followed by Tomato Mixture.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

::Rustic Strawberry Tart::


This is a spinoff of my Rustic Apple Tart. Same crust. Different Filling.

FLAKY PIE CRUST:
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 sticks (8oz) chilled butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
Filling:
  • 1 1⁄2 lb strawberries, hulled
  • 1⁄4 cup plus 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 1⁄2 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp grated lemon zest
  • 1⁄8 tsp ground nutmeg

FLAKY PIE CRUST:

Combine water, salt, and sugar in measuring cup. Stir and put cup in fridge for at least 15 min. (to chill water and to dissolve sugar and salt). Chill mixing bowl and paddle if possible.

Combine flour and butter pieces in mixing bowl. On medium speed, cut butter into flour till butter pieces are the size of chickpeas. With the mixer running, pour the water into the butter mixture. Mix till the dough comes together.

Separate dough into 4 discs. Wrap each with film and chill.

Filling: Halve 1⁄2 lb of the berries (choose ones similar in size) and reserve. Quarter the remaining 1 lb strawberries lengthwise. In a medium bowl, toss 1⁄4 cup sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest and nutmeg until blended; add quartered berries and butter, and toss to coat. Remove dough from refrigerator. Pile berry mixture in an even mound in center of dough within 2 in. of dough edge. Gently lift the unfilled dough edge up and onto the filling. Brush dough with egg; sprinkle with remaining 2 Tbsp sugar.

Bake 40 minutes, or until crust is golden and filling is juicy. Remove from oven; slide parchment onto a cooling rack. Let cool 15 minutes. Arrange remaining halved strawberries cut side down on top of cooked filling. Lightly brush berries with red currant glaze. Cool completely.