Cauliflower and Caramelized Onion Tart

Remember, a few weeks back when I went to the winery tasting?


Well, the first dish we tried was this amazing Cauliflower Tart.


It was so good, I contemplated several things:


A) I wonder how many times I could come back through the line without them noticing?


B) Why don’t I carry a wig around? (They definitely wouldn’t recognize me then! On another note this could come in handy if you get a stalker….food for thought….)


C) (The most likely option) How can I get Dave to distract the server so I can sneak around the table and pile my plate with servings of this?


Reluctantly, I gave up and decided instead to find the recipe.


Bonus to making your own: no wigs or sketchy tactics needed to get a second piece :)


Cauliflower and Caramelized Onion Tart
Slightly adapted from Applewood Winery

1 small head of cauliflower (about 1 pound), cut into pieces
3 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1/3 c. of a blush or Sauvignon Blanc wine
1 pie crust (I used homemade but store bought can also be used)
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 eggs
1 c. ricotta cheese (or mascarpone)
1/2 c. heavy cream
1/4 tsp. ground pepper
Salt to taste
Pinch of nutmeg
1 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese (or Swiss or Gruyere)
3/4 c. grated Parmesan

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and lay out the cauliflower. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp of olive oil, some salt and pepper and toss around a bit with some tongs. Roast for about 20 minutes, flipping over as necessary until the cauliflower is browned and tender (if you can easily stick a fork or knife in it,it’s done).

Press pie crust in a 9 inch pie pan. Cover the crust with foil and place in pie weights (or some rocks…yes they work!) Bake crust at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes then remove the foil and bake another 5 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool.

In a skillet, heat remaining olive oil. Saute onion, until golden brown. Occasionally deglaze the pan with some of the wine. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, ricotta,cream, cheddar and seasonings.

Brush the bottom of the pie crust with the mustard. Spread on the onions, then layer on the cauliflower. Pour egg mixture on top, then sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until golden and center is set, about 40 minutes (check with a toothpick…when it comes out clean, it is set). Allow to cool for about 15 minutes before serving. 



*Note that this does make a great breakfast the next day!*


*Another note,the crust, cauliflower and onion steps can each be done ahead, then covered separately and refrigerated the day before you make this*


*And one final note the recipe on the link for the Dulce De Lech cheesecake bars….the wig would have come in handy for trying to sneak some more of these, they were that good!!! I made them for thanksgiving and they came out just as well. Definitely a must try dessert recipe!*

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

Do you ever get that mid-week slump? You know that one where you don’t want to cook, you don’t want to workout, you don’t want to work…actually you basically don’t want to do anything?? Oh you mean that’s only me??!

Well since I’m the only one in this lazy slump bubble maybe I just won’t share this lazy recipe with you.

Or maybe I will, because I know deep down inside we’re all a little lazy, especially when it’s cold out.

 There is not a more perfect, delicious, or easy cold autumn/winter dish to be found….anywhere….ever…end of story!
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
Makes enough for 4 servings

1/2 of a medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 1/2 c. of pumpkin puree or pumpkin pie filling (for a bit sweeter sauce)
1/2 c. heavy cream
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tbsp. dried rosemary or sage
Dash of salt, pepper,nutmeg and cinnamon
1 tbsp. Olive oil
1/2 a box of pasta
In a medium saucepan, saute the onions and garlic in the olive oil until brown and golden. Stir in the pumpkin, then the cream, half of the cheese and the herbs. Cook until heated through and serve with pasta, topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
I made balsamic roasted veggies to go along with our pasta (toss a mix of veggies with a sprinkle of olive oil, balsamic and garlic salt and broil at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes….this is a great way to change up your veggies and you can use whatever you have on hand).
Notes
*This is also great tossed with some browned turkey sausage*
*To make the sauce thinner without adding more cream, stir in a 1/2 c. of chicken broth*
*You can make this dish lighter by replacing half of the cream with skim milk*