Butternut Squash Tart with Caramelized Onions and Kale

Butternut squash has become a favorite in our house, it’s so versatile and can be used in so many different dishes. I usually buy one every week, cut it into chunks, roast it and tuck it away in my fridge to use up during the week.

It’s so readily available this time of year and with prices like this how can I refuse!

I’m always looking for new ways to use it so while researching the Internet I kept seeing Smitten Kitchen’s galette version, those caramelized onions she used were calling my name so I decided to make a tart but changing it up a bit using puff pastry instead and adding kale for color and added flavor. I’ve already made this twice we loved it that much!
There’s something about the sweetness of the caramelized onions paired with the sweet and buttery squash, it’s such a perfect match, add to that fontina and parmesan cheese and a touch of sauteed kale, this dish screams fall!
I promise you you won’t be disapointed, you can even substitute spinach if you want or omit it all together. The puff pastry was a dream to work with, so easy to put together once all the components were ready.
Butternut Squash Tart
Prepare Squash, you can do this ahead of time
Peel squash cut into chunks toss in a bit of olive oil salt and pepper then and roast in a 375F- 400F oven til tender and golden.
One sheet of puff pastry, defrosted
Unfold the pastry sheet onto a Silpat or parchment paper and place on a baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, score a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the pastry sheet. Prick the center of the pastry sheet thoroughly with a fork.
Caramelized Onions
For this I sliced three onions into half moons and then sauteed them in a dab of butter and olive oil, added a pinch of sugar and a couple of sprigs of fresh thyme slowly cooking them for almost 40 minutes until a rich golden brown color appears. Don’t hurry this process even though you might want to, it really makes a difference!
For the kale I just took a about 6 leaves and cut them chiffonade style, saute in olive oil until wilted.
When all those components are finished sprinkle parmesan on the base of the puff pastry sheet, then add your caramelized onions all around then touches of kale here and there, maybe a cup or so of cubed fontina spread about, more parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil on top and along the border of the puff pastry, place in a 400F oven for 25- 30 minutes or until nicely browned on the bottom.
Each year during the fall local Girl Scouts create nature themed scarecrows near my home, very creative don’t you think?
Have a wonderful weekend and Buon Appetito!

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Vegetable Egg in a Hole

Traditional Egg in the Hole is made by cutting a hole in the middle of some bread then cracking an egg inside the hole and then simply frying it all together. Do you remember the famous breakfast scene in Moonstruck between Olivia Dukakis and Cher? I once did a post on the famous “Moonstruck Eggs”.

Well this is the low carb veggie version. I love how acorn squash looks when you slice it into rings a perfect ready made hole for your egg! Don’t bother to peel it, just carefully slice the squash into rings, take out the seeds, toss in olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in an oven at 400F for about 20 minutes, you can do this all the day before.

egg in vegetableegg in vegetable When you’re ready to cook it drizzle some olive oil in the bottom of your pan, place the squash rings inside then gently crack your egg in the middle. Cook on low heat partially covered then snip fresh rosemary on top along with freshly grated parmesan cheese, it’s a perfect flavor combination with the squash and a beautiful presentation for a special breakfast, and it’s so easy to do! Don’t worry about the peel it slips right off.
Also you can be creative and add in some pretty spinach leaves to give it some color and added deliciousness, I think you will love this!

Another great vegetable that works well is peppers of all different colors, here I used red peppers which I sliced into rings then sauteed in olive oil until tender right in the pan it only takes a few minutes, then finish cooking the egg as I did above, this was garnished with a dry Tuscan style herb mix that I have.

Everything stays contained in it’s own neat little package, and again such great flavor combinations going on here, sweet red pepper, creamy egg, olive oil and herbs!

Here’s more of a free form method I do when I have leftover veggies, put them in a pan, make a hole in the center and crack an egg right in the middle,just be careful when you slide it on to your plate you might want to add some cheese to the veggies so they stay together or better yet use individual casserole dishes so everything is contained.
Acorn squash and red peppers are everywhere right now so pick some up and give this a try I think you’re going to love it!
Have a great weekend, and Buon Appetito!
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Eggplant Stacks

This is a quick meal you can put together providing you have some roasted eggplant slices tucked away in your fridge like I usually do, but if not it still won’t take you too long to get this meal together. Great for mid week or just a lazy weekend, serve with a salad and some crusty bread and you’re good to go.

I say quick because it’s basically just all about the layering of ingredients together. How could you ever tire of buttery eggplant, fresh oozing mozzarella, creamy pesto and a light and flavorful homemade sauce? I know I can’t!

I’m still able to find really good eggplant and I hope you can too so you could make this ASAP!


Here’s what you do:
Prepare the eggplant
by cutting the tip and ends off, then stand it up and with your knife peel the skin off in a zebra fashion, striping it as you go around, leaving some skin on and taking some off. Then slice your eggplant into 3/4 inch rounds. Toss with olive oil and bake in a 450F oven until golden and tender.

Ingredients:
Fresh mozzarella
Roasted eggplant slices
Basil pesto
Marinara sauce, homemade ( it takes no time at all to make your own!)
Basil leaves
Toasted breadcrumbs and grated romano or parmesan for garnish
1. Spread sauce in a baking dish, add one eggplant slice, spread sauce on top of it along with a piece of fresh mozzarella and a basil leaf, 2. Add another eggplant slice on top and spread with pesto, 3. Add final eggplant slice, more sauce and another piece of fresh mozzarella. 4.Top with more sauce, toasted breadcrumbs and grated cheese. Repeat for as many stacks you’ll be making. 5.Bake uncovered at 375F until heated through and cheese is melted.
Have a nice weekend and Buon Appetito!
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