QUICK LEEK AND BRUSSEL TART

I love to create dishes out of what i have on hand.  Leeks are sweet and brussel sprouts are crunchy and peppery.  Both ingredients work together well.  I used cottage cheese as my go-to cheesy component but you could spread on sour cream or cream cheese if that is what you have in your fridge.

The base to this tart is fabulous and one that you could turn into a base for a quiche, it goes well with autumn’s flavours and it only takes minutes to make.

Serves 12

Ingredients 

Wholemeal pastry

200g wholemeal flour

2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

100g butter 

1-2 Tbsp cold water

Filling

1 Tbsp olive oil, plus 1 tsp

1 Tbsp butter

200g (1 leek), dark ends removed, sliced into thin rounds

200g brussel sprouts

250g cottage cheese, excess moisture discarded

1 tsp dijon or whole grain mustard

Sea salt and cracked black pepper

2 Tbsp freshly grated parmesan cheese

Juice ½ lemon

Method

Begin by making the pastry.  In a medium sized bowl add the flour, baking powder and salt.  Mix to combine.  

Add the cold butter and rub through with your fingertips until a coarse breadcrumb texture occurs.

Add 1 tablespoon cold water and mix through, if the pastry looks dry add another tablespoon of water and lightly knead the dough together.  Wrap and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Prepare the brussel sprouts, by removing any discoloured leaves, set aside 3 sprouts for garnishing. Slice the remaining sprouts so they are roughly the same size as the leeks.

Over moderate heat add the butter and oil to a medium sized fry pan.

Add the leeks and sprouts and cook without colouring for 10 minutes, season lightly with salt and pepper.  Set aside

Preheat the oven 200C

Roll the pastry into a large round 28cm diameter (you can make this smaller and use the remaining pastry another time).

Place the pastry onto a lightly oiled baking tray.

Mix the cottage cheese and mustard together and spread over the dough.

Scatter over the cooked leeks and sprouts, season lightly.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the tart is golden and the base is cooked. 

Separate the leaves of the remaining sprouts. 

Just before serving, toss the leaves through 1 teaspoon of olive oil, squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of sea salt.

Scatter the dressed leaves over the tart, grate over the parmesan and cut into desired slices and enjoy.