Baby spinach and ricotta
filo tart on rocket salad and roasted sweet fruit
Ingredients:
The tart:
2 large handfuls of baby spinach
200g pot of ricotta cheese (drained of its water)
1 crushed clove of garlic
Cracked pepper and coarse salt (to taste)
1 small egg
1 bunch of basil
The glaze:
Fresh ground nutmeg (1 pinch)
1 pkt of ready made filo pastry (there are some things we simply have to
cheat with!)
100g of melted butter
The rocket salad:
1 bunch of good peppery rocket
1 pre- roasted red pepper
5 roasted baby tomatoes
Fresh parmesan shavings
Virgin olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
1. Coat inside of ring mould or quiche ring approx 9-10cm diameter with
butter.
2. Using two pages of the pastry, gently push into the ring, leaving rough
edges protruding. Cover and refrigerate.
3. Cover bottom of small pan with water and steam spinach until soft. This
will take only seconds.
4. The spinach must be cooled very quickly with ice; this will help keep
its vibrant green colour.
5. With a blender, whizz the ricotta cheese and cooled spinach until soft.
Add the egg and whizz again. Add all the other herbs and seasonings, ensuring
all ingredients are bound together.
6. With a spoon, push the mixture into the pastry case taking care not to
break the protruding pastry. Paint the pastry with a little butter.
7. Place the tart into a preheated oven at 190C (Gas mark 5) for about 15-20
minutes. Meanwhile, the salad can be rolled in a bowl using all the ingredients
except the balsamic vinegar glaze.
8. Place the salad in a neat pile on a plate to one side.
9. When your tart is just beginning to brown, it can be removed from the
ring and served alongside your salad. Finish with parmesan shavings and
a drizzle of the balsamic glaze.
A really cold crisp Chardonnay will be delicious with this dish to go with
the green earthy taste of the spinach and to cut through the creamy cheese. |