Tag Archives: Quiche

Caramelized Onions Tartelettes with Black Olives

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MayaOryanIMG_4347

I baked many tartelettes during the holidays some sweet and others savory. I involved caramelized onions with tarts, poultry and oriental recipes, it always adds to my meals an intense, roasty, lightly sweet taste close to jazz.

When onions are cooked slowly, all the natural sugars in, caramelize, without the slight addition of sugar.

Mini tarts are bite-sized and enticing. They work as an appetizer on a cocktail party or a casual gathering with friends. The puff pastry is crisp and each tart is carved with love.

I sometimes make two batches; one with feta and olives and the other with goat cheese and figs. Once you know how to make you tart shells an endless variety is found on the blogosphere. Enjoy the recipe below with friends or relatives and hope it results with echoes of smiles and happy bellies.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, leaves
  • All-purpose flour, for dusting
  • 250g / 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • ¼ cup feta, crumbled
  • ¼ cup black olives, pitted and halved

Preparation

  1. Melt butter with oil in a skillet over low-medium heat. Add onions and thyme, and cook (without stirring) 7-10 minutes, or until onions are golden.
  2. Pre-heat oven to 180°
  3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry, and cut out 7cms circles and place onto the baking dish. Pierce dough with a fork.
  4. Spoon feta cheese in the center of each circle. Top it with onions. Decorate with olives.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the dough starts to rise and turn golden color.
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Figs and Brie Cheese Quiche

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Picture taken by my talented daughter Kaia:)

Picture taken by my talented daughter Kaia:)

One of my clients sent me a pack full of pastries; shortcrust ready rolled, puff cases, filo sheets, … asking me to give him my feedback about the quality of the product.

So I spent the week, eating tarts, quiches and samosas! Not that I’m complaining. I guess you should know by now that my love for baking is unconditional.

Ready rolled pie pastries are one of my much-loved ingredients, especially after a long day at work. I often line my pie dish, flute edges and then open the fridge and think about the filling. Recipes with shortcrust pastries are versatile and trouble-free. I don’t think it is said easy as pie for nothing;-)

I wanted to break away from routine ingredients so I started with a pesto rosso spread, topped it with some blue cheese, slices of brie, sprigs of thyme, and dried figs. The outcome was a hit through! I served it for some friends visiting in the evening and as soon as I saw their heads nodding I knew I had the green light to share the recipe with you all.

KaiaOnSet-LR

Ingredients

  • 1 Pack of Shortcrust Pastry or “Pâte Brisée”
  • 2 tbsp pesto rosso
  • 2 tbsp blue cheese, crumbled
  • 150g Brie cheese, sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh thyme leaves
  • 5 dried figs, sliced
  • 5 eggs
  • ½ cup low-fat milk
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • Maple syrup to drizzle

Preparation

  1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C.
  2. Roll out dough on floured surface. Transfer to pie dish. Trim and flute the sides. Pierce crust all over with fork.
  3. Start by spreading the pesto on the crust.
  4. Distribute the blue cheese and decorate crust with slices of brie in a fan shape.
  5. Add thyme and figs.
  6. Beat eggs well. Add milk, pepper and salt. Pour over the filling and place pie dish on the middle oven rack.
  7. After 20mn, drizzle with maple syrup and place it back in the oven for another 10 to 15mn.
  8. Transfer tart to rack; cool 5 minutes.

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Thyme & Feta Quiche

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RoastedTomatoes&FetaQuiche

ONE OF MY FAV’ OF ALL TIME…

May I just start by saying you’re not going to mess this up! This quiche will definitely make it to my Christmas table this year as part of the starters menu; It’s a star dish. I don’t remember how our love story started but I confess an affair. Classy, sexy, elegant, and yes I’m still talking about the quiche, it’s one of my favorite of all time.

The tomatoes become flavorful once roasted. So please do not skip this step. You will love love love the contrasting tastes of the sweet roasted tomatoes, piquant balsamic vinegar and tangy Feta cheese. You may also need to check the tomatoes while cooking because the time of roasting may vary depending on their ripeness and the oven temperature. Use any aromatic available herbs while roasting; oregano, rosemary, basil or bay leaves. Make sure that you strain the tomatoes before you top the puff pastry, or you will end up with a mushy crust.

Many friends have requested this recipe, I’m so happy to finally publish it and with a worthy picture of it. Enjoy it!

Ingredients:

  • 1 (230g) puff pastry
  • 800g (around 60 pieces) cherry tomatoes, cut in 2
  • Oregano (or basil),  to sprinkle
  • 200g Feta cheese, diced
  • 1 cup fresh thyme leaves, washed and picked
  • 4 tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Honey
  • Sea salt and fresh black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Place the cherry tomatoes in a shallow roasting pan, (choose a large pan, where tomatoes are not too crowded), sprinkle with salt, coarsely fresh pepper, oregano and drizzle with olive oil. Transfer to a pre-heated oven and roast for about 20mn or until they are wilted and the skin starts to wrinkle. Transfer to a colander to drain.

2. Meantime, roll out dough on floured surface and transfer to a rectangular (12cm x 35cm) tart pan. It is also possible to make the quiche in a round tart pan. Pierce crust all over with fork.

3. Top crust with Feta, thyme and tomatoes. Combine balsamic vinegar, sugar and olive oil. Whisk vigorously and stir over the tomatoes.

4. Bake quiche in the middle of the oven, for about 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden. Transfer to rack; Cool 10 minutes.

Quiche with Bulgarian cheese and Thyme

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Before I got to know the following recipe of quiche, I never did a quiche in my life. For me quiche was spinach and ricotta! And as much as I love shortcrust pastry, spinach and cheese, this COMBO wasn’t my favorite.

Until one day my charming-sweet-smart neighbor Eliane (can’t say else coz she’s gonna be around for a long time hihihi) introduced me to her Quiche with Bulgarian cheese and Thyme. Her recipe had magical powers with immediate effect:)

There was something about this quiche that fascinated me. The addition of the fresh thyme made it fragrantly delicious. The blend of the creamy, crumbly Bulgarian Feta cheese with Mozzarella and Emmenthal made the flavor really kind of hard to describe. I couldn’t wait until I tried it. It sure earned me big smiles from my hubby and guests!!

Ever since, I make more quiches in celebrations. It’s easy, delicious and a crowd pleaser!

I stayed true to Eliane’s recipe, it takes no time to prepare and your friends will ask for the recipe! I did!

“Eliane you have all the credits on this one, and now that I mentioned your name three times can I count on you to host Kaia for a play date while am in Saint-Tropez this week?;-)


Ingredients

  • 1 pack of Shortcrust pastry or “Pâte brisée”
  • 200 gm Sheep Bulgarian cheese unsalted, broken into pieces (A.K.A Bulgarian feta)
  • 100 gm  grated Emmenthal cheese
  • 100 gm grated Mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup fresh cream
  • 2 tbsp of sesame

Cooking Directions

Before you cook the crust as instructed here-below, compare it with the directions on the pack.

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Roll out dough on floured surface to 32cm round. Transfer to 25 diameter tart pan. Press to form double-thick sides. Pierce crust all over with fork.

2. Crumble the Bulgarian cheese on the crust. Put fresh ground pepper and salt.
3. Arrange the fresh thyme over the white cheese, followed by the Emmenthal cheese and Mozzarella.
4. Pour the cream and sprinkle with sesame.
5. Place tart pan on oven rack.
6. Bake quiche until crust is golden about 30 minutes. Transfer quiche to rack; cool 10 minutes.