Basil and Corn Tart Recipe

Basil is still happily growing in the windowsill and there's still corn in the freezer from summer.  I thought I'd share this veggie recipe with you today. This recipe makes a nice addition to a brunch menu or serve for a light lunch.

What You Need

1/3 cup butter, softened

 2 Tbsp  Sugar

 1/2 tsp Salt

 3 Eggs

 2/3 Cup Yellow Cornmeal

 2/3 Cup All-purpose flour

 1 Cup half-and-half (or light cream)

 1-1/2 Cups Corn kernels (fresh or thawed if using frozen)

 1/2 Cup coarsely chopped fresh basil (plus a few small leaves for garnish, optional)

 1/2 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Electric Mixer

9 inch Tart Pan (or round cake pan )

Aluminum Foil

Plastic Wrap

Tomato ( chopped for garnish, optional)

Before You Start: This recipe requires refrigeration of the crust prior to completion. Make the crust (see below) preheat oven to 350® after removing crust from the refrigerator.

 Lets Make It! In medium bowl, beat butter with electric mixer on medium speed to blend (about 30 seconds). Add sugar and 1/2 tsp salt. Beat until combined. Beat in 1 egg until combined. Add in cornmeal and as much of the flour as you can with the mixer; stir in any remaining flour. Form dough into a Frisbee looking disc and wrap in plastic. Chill for about an hour (until it’s easy to handle).

After dough has cooled, press and pat dough evenly into bottom and sides of tart pan. Cover pastry with double thickness of foil and bake 10 minutes; remove foil. Bake 4 to 6 minutes more.

In medium bowl whisk together 2 eggs and half-and-half. Stir in corn, basil, 1/2 tsp salt and the pepper. Pour into corn crust. Bake 35 to 40 minutes (or until set, no jiggling). Let stand 10 minutes. Sprinkle with tomato and additional basil. To garnish before serving

Serves 6-8

Veggie Recipe Potato Pie

What You Need
1 ½ cup cheddar cheese (½ coarsely grated, ½ cut into small chunks)
¾ cup sour cream (crème fraîche works best)
Premade pie crust (from your markets refrigerator section)
2 lbs potatoes, (thinly sliced)
2 medium white onions thinly finely sliced)
1 bunch spring onions- about 6 (roughly chopped)
1 ¼ tsp nutmeg (grated)
1 tsp paprika
1 egg (beaten)
Salt and Pepper
10 x 10 baking pan
Non stick cooking spray
Basting brush
Baking sheet

Before You Start: preheat oven to 375˚ and spray inside baking dish with non stick cooking spray.

Lets Make It! In a small bowl, mix the grated cheddar with the crème fraîche, then set aside. Roll out one pie crust on a lightly floured surface until large enough to line the baking dish with a little over hang. Place into baking dish and begin filling with one layer of potatoes evenly distributed throughout, then a layer of onions, spring onions and chunks of cheese. Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg and paprika. Repeat layering over more potatoes, onions and cheese, then spread over half the crème fraîche mix. Repeat with 2 more layers (the potatoes will come up way above the pastry), pushing the filling down slightly, then finish with the remaining crème fraîche mix. Roll the remaining pastry so it fits over the potatoes. Brush the sides with egg, then lay the pastry over the top. Squeeze the edges together and trim with a knife. Crimp the sides and brush the top all over with egg. Place the pie on a baking sheet, bake for 30 minutes then reduce the temperature to 325 and continue baking for 1 hr until golden, If it starts to get to dark cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning. Leave the pie to rest for 10 minutes and serve
Serves 4
*Katie’s Tid Bit try using phyllo dough and make small individual tarts. Reduce cooking time to about 40 minutes.