Holiday Appetizer: Cheese & Apple Pinwheels

November 2nd, 2012

Makes 32 – 36 pieces                                                                             

1 teaspoon grape seed oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 cups sweet onion (finely diced)
1 cup apple (finely diced)
½ teaspoon ground pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons maple syrup
½ cup soft goat cheese
16 fresh basil leaves
2 sheets of puff pastry, thawed in the refrigerator overnight

Preheat oven to 425 F.

In a fry pan, sauté the onion in the butter and oil till golden brown (about 10 minutes on medium heat), add the apple and cook anther 5 minutes. Add in salt, pepper , maple syrup and mix. Remove from pan and let cool on a plate. Best to place in the fridge for 30 minutes if you have the time.

Lay out the two sheets of puff pastry (keeping them on the sheets they are rolled in). Place the widest part of the sheet in front of you. Evenly divide the onion mixture and sprinkle over each sheet. Split and sprinkle the goat cheese over each sheet. Place two rows of basil leaves at the bottom of each sheet (closest to you).  With each pastry sheet, begin to roll upwards ensuring you have an even roll till you reach near the end. Then carefully seal and place the edge on the bottom. Squeeze slightly with your hands to make sure the roll is secure. NOTE: at this point you can cover the roll and place it in the frig till ready to bake.

Carefully with a serrated knife, cut ½ inch slices down teach roll. Place each pinwheel on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Cool slightly, before serving.

 

The Best French Apple Tart

May 12th, 2012

A tribute to Julia.....

 

Sugar Paste

1/3 cup sugar
¼ cup butter
1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
1 egg

Almond Cream

¼ cup butter melted
¼ cup ground almonds
¼ cup icing sugar
1 egg
1 ½ teaspoons rum

 

2-3 apples peeled, cored and thinly sliced

Sugar for sprinkling

Lemon juice

METHOD

Recipe is for a 7” tart pan. For a 12” pan, double the recipe.

For the Sugar Paste…

Cream together the sugar and butter. Add the egg and egg yolk. Stir in the flour and work the dough only until combined. Wrap and chill.

In the meantime, prepare the almond cream.

For the Almond Cream…

Combine the butter, almonds an icing sugar. Add the egg and egg yolk. Stir in the rum.

Roll out the pastry. Fit it gently into the tart pan. Place the pan in the fridge and allow to rest for 10-30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375°

Spread the almond cream onto the bottom of the pan.

Spread the apples in a fan pattern onto the tart. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375° for 10 minutes and then reduce the heat to 350° for another 15-20 minutes or until done.

Voila!

Baked Mushrooms with Apples & Chevre

September 5th, 2010

15-20 cremini or white mushrooms
1 cup soft goat cheese (I love Fifth Town Artisan chevre)
1 small apple (finely diced)
1 small sweet onion (finely diced)
1 tsp. fresh thyme
1 tbsp. fresh chopped basil
1 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley or chives
1 tbsp. Ontario maple syrup
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
Ground pepper and salt to taste

In a fry pan, saute the onion in butter and oil till golden brown (about 10 minutes on medium heat). Add the apple and cook anther few minutes, till soft. Add maple syrup and stir. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool.

In a bowl, place the goat cheese and herbs. Mix in the apple mixture and stir till it is thoroughly incorporated. Add salt and pepper to taste. It’s best to cover this and place in fridge for a few hours for the flavors to incorporate (but you can use it right away)

With a damp paper towel, wipe off each mushroom. Remove the stem and with a small knife cut off the top of the mushroom a bit to make a flat surface for the cheese.

Scoop about one tablespoon of the cheese mixture on each mushroom and shape it so it looks like a small dome on top.

Place mushrooms on baking tray and cook in a preheated 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes.

Serve on its own or on individual plates, place three on a bed of baby spinach and drizzle with some balsamic vinegar for a great appetizer.