Puff pastry maroille quiche

Tags

brunch, Cheese, lardons, leeks, lunch, maroille, puff pastry, quiche, tart

Maroilles is French, AOC approved, square cow’s milk cheese made in the Picardy and Nord-Pas-de-Calais regions of Northern France. The cheese gets its name from the village of Maroilles where it is still produced. It is also said that the cheese has been created in the 10th century by a monk, Maroilles in northern France. It is matured from five weeks to four months during which it is regularly washed with salt and water.

At four months, the ivory pâte is soft and oily. It has a powerful, pungent aroma suggestive of fermenting fruit and the flavour reminds of smoky bacon. Earthy notes of walnuts and mushrooms contrasted by a strong, pungent aroma are very typical of an aged Maroilles.

Makes 1 quiche, about 4 servings

Ingredients:

1 sheet puff pastry
250g / 9oz Maroilles cheese (1/2 cheese, with rind removed)
4 eggs
1kg / 1/2 pound leeks, (white and light green parts only)
225g / 8oz lardons or bacon – optional
200ml / 3/4 cup thick cream
30g / 2 tablespoons butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 180C / 360F
Place the cheese in the freezer for a few minutes to firm it up and make slicing it easier
Cut the leeks finely
Over medium heat, melt the butter and gently sauté the leeks and lardons for about 15 minutes in a large skillet
Line a quiche pan, about 9″ / 23 cm with the puff pastry
Cut the Maroilles into small pieces
In a bowl, whisk the eggs lightly
Add the cheese. the cream, the salt and pepper and mix well
Add the leeks and lardons
Pour the mixture onto the puff pastry
Bake for about 30 minutes
Can be eaten hot or cold
Enjoy!

 

Tomato puff pastry tart

Tags

appetizer, brunch, cherry tomato, lunch, puff pastry, starter, tart, tomatoes

This is a perfect way to use those great tasting summer tomatoes. I have a glut of cherry tomatoes at the moment and so am always looking for ways to use them. Using frozen or store bought puff pastry makes this such a quick and easy recipe to put together.

Serves 3 to 4

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry
• tomatoes, (I used about 40 cherry tomatoes)
• olive oil, about 1 tablespoon
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped herbs (I used basil and oregano)
• 1 heaped tablespoon strong Dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup  shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup  grated Gruyere cheese
• 1/3 cup  grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 200C / 400F
Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and place them cut side down on a paper towel and allow to drain for about 15 minutes (If using larger tomatoes, slice thickly and place on paper towel)
Toss the tomatoes in a bowl with some olive oil, salt, pepper and the chopped herbs
Place the puff pastry on a piece of parchment paper in a baking sheet
Prick the base of the pastry all over with a fork
Spread the mustard on the pastry leaving a small border around the edges
Sprinkle the cheeses over the mustard
Place the tomatoes, cut side up, so that their juice doesn’t make the pastry too soggy
Bake for 15 – 20 minutes until golden
Enjoy!

 

Tortilla with chorizo

Tags

Breakfast, brunch, chorizo, eggs, lunch, omelette, potatoes, spain, tortilla

 

 

In Spain, a tortilla is a kind of omelette, with ingredients added – frequently sliced cooked potato and onion. However, over in Mexico, a tortilla is a kind of flat unleavened bread. This recipe is the Spanish version. Works beautifully as breakfast, brunch, lunch or apéro.

Makes about 10 pieces (can easily be doubled or tripled)

Ingredients:

400g / 13oz potatoes (preferably firm, waxy)
1 onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
115g / 4oz cooked chorizo
4 eggs

Preparation:

Peel, wash and dry the potatoes
Cut them into thin slices
Heat the oil in a large skillet
Sauté the onions and potatoes for 5 minutes, uncovered
Cover the pan and cook a further 10 minutes, stirring frequently
Season to taste
Remove the skin from the chorizo and slice into thin rounds
Add to the skillet and cook another 10 minutes
In a bowl, whisk the eggs lightly
Pour the eggs into the skillet on top of the potatoes and chorizo
Cook about 6 minutes without stirring, until the eggs are firmly set underneath but not set on top
Invert the tortilla on to a plate and return the pan to the heat
Slide the tortilla back into the pan, uncooked side down, and cook for 5 minutes until set all the way through
Serve cut into cubes, hot or cold
Enjoy!