Spiced mediterranean tart

12 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1Recipe tart pastry
1bunchSpinach; stems removed
3tablespoonsUnsalted butter
1mediumOnion; minced
2Cloves garlic; minced
cupPine nuts; toasted
¼cupGolden raisins
1pinchCinnamon; generous
Salt; to taste
Pepper; freshly ground
Nutmeg; freshly grated
4ouncesCream cheese; room temperature
1cupSour cream
4largesEggs
teaspoonSalt
1pinchGround pepper; generous
1pinchRed pepper (cayenne); ground
6ouncesParmesan cheese; grated

Directions

Make pastry shell and bake in a two-piece 10-inch tart pan. Wash spinach and transfer to large saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, using only water clinging to the leaves, until spinach is wilted. Plunge immediately into ice water to stop cooking process. Drain and pat dry. Chop finely and set aside.

Position rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute until golden brown. Stir in garlic, nuts and raisins and cook one minute. Add spinach, cinnamon, salt, pepper and nutmeg and cook, stirring cinstantly, until moisture has evaporated, about one minute. Set aside.

Combine cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, salt, pepper and red pepper in food processor and puree. Spread spinach mixture over bottom of pre-baked crust. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Pour cream cheese mixture over top.

Bake at 350 degrees, until knife inserted between edge and center of filling comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature, cover and refrigerate. Makes 6 main course servings or 12 appetizer.

Posted to EAT-L Digest 10 Sep 96 Date: Wed, 11 Sep 1996 11:43:42 -0500 From: XTPT50B CONNIE HALLIDAY Time: 4:10 PM NOTES : This delicious and flavorful tart is always a hit as an appetizer or as a luncheon main course!