Pear Tartlets

Pear Tartlets
I saw a recipe for these online, but when i was trying to make them i realized they must have forgotten some ingredients for the filling bc it only added up to about 1/3 cup of liquid, so i thought about it and i made some additions and i think they turned out fantastic!

Brown Butter Crust
1 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup almonds,
1/4 cup sugar
pinch of salt
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
Filling
2 Tbs almond extract
5 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
3 large egg + 1 egg yolk, at room temperature and beaten
2 Tbs sugar, and more for sprinkling
2 Tbs flour
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla rum
1 tsp lemon zest
4 oz Mascarpone cheese
Topping:
2  pears, peeled and cored


Preheat oven to 350°F and spray six 4-inch tartlet pans with nonstick spray; place on a baking sheet. In a food processor add the almonds and pulse a few times until finely ground.  Add in flour sugar and salt and pulse a few more times to mix.  Meanwhile brown the butter over medium heat, stirring constantly until it foams, turns clear, and then turns darker, but not too dark.  Turn the food processor on, and slowly pour the butter into the work bowl, after just mixed turn off, remove blade and mix a few times more with your hands.
Divide the mixture among the 6 tartlet pans, and press into bottom and sides of the pans.  Bake for about 10 minutes.  Cool completely on a wire rack.
Increase oven temperature to 375°F. In a food processor add in all ingredients for the filling.   Process a few times until mixed completely.  Divide mixture evenly among tartlet shells. 

Slice pear and cut each slice in half.  Arrange pear slices over filling.  Place in the oven for 20 mins.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with sugar. Put tartlets back in the oven and bake for another 5-10 mins, depending on your oven.  Tart filling should be a little puffy but not brown.  Cool completely on a wire rack.  Remove from pan after completely cooled. 

i had already cut them in half so thats what the line down the middle of them are.  

Flat Bread Middle Eastern Salad

Sorry guys once again i forgot to take a picture of this but it is so easy and so delicious i thought id share!

1 med. cucumber, diced
1 med. tomato, diced
handful of spring mix lettuce, or spinach whichever you prefer
1 piece of flat bread sliced into bit size pieces, (i cut mind into 12ths )
handful of green olives sliced in half
1/3 of  green medeteriannian pepper diced
some feta crumbled

mix it all together pour a little but of olive oil sprinkle with fresh dill and add a drop of white vinegar, add salt and pepper and enjoy!

Cauliflower & White Cheddar Soup

Sry i havent been posting lately.  I keep forgetting to take pictures and to write down my recipes so it makes it difficult to share them with you that way.  Fortunately i remembered last night while i was making this soup.  It was so good, i hope you like it too!!

Cauliflower and White Cheddar Soup

Serves 6

Ingredients

·         1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into pieces

·         2 carrots, shredded or sliced thin

·         1 medium red potato, cut into pieces

·         1 medium yellow onion, sliced

·         Bunch of scallions, chopped

·         1 clove garlic, minced

·         4-6 oz white Vermont cheddar cheese, shredded

·         1 spoon of Better than Bouillon® Veggie Base

·         2 cups fat free milk

·         2 tbs olive oil

·         Optional: ¼ tsp white truffle oil, 1 tsp horse radish

Instructions

Fill a large stock pot with water about ¾ full add salt, cauliflower and potato. Allow it to come to a boil and cook veggies for about 10-15 mins until they are soft.  Before draining take 2 cups of the boiling veggie water and mix it with the better than bouillon, set aside.  Drain veggies discard remaining water.  Return pot to stove over medium high heat, and add olive oil and allow oil to heat for a few minutes.  Then add in the onion and carrot.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and I added a drop, (no more than ¼ tsp!!) white truffle oil.  And if you like your soup a little spicy you can also add in the horse radish here.  This is completely optional. 

Once tender add in cauliflower and potato.  Mix well to season all veggies.  Then add in the 2 cups of bouillon and bring it to a simmer.  Add in the milk and turn off heat.  Once cooled slightly blend everything with an immersion blender until smooth.  (if you do not have one you can add the soup into a regular blender or food processor but be careful and work in small batches so you do not burn yourself!  Once you have achieved the consistency you want (I prefer mine super smooth), turn the heat on to medium low and slowly add in the cheese.  You can make it cheesier and thicker by adding more cheese; I added about 5 oz. to mine. Add in chopped scallions and mix in.   Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Leave uncovered over low heat for about 15-20 mins stirring occasionally, to allow flavors to set.  Serve with either croutons or cheese flake. 

Cheese flakes:

Preheat oven to 375.  On a silicon baking mat sprinkle mozzarella into flake like shape.  Drop a pinch of parmesan on top, and sprinkle with pepper and add 3-5 scallions in the center, depending on how big you make them.  Bake until melted.  I like mine a little crispy so I leave them in for about 7 mins, but make sure they don’t burn!