Chic And Cheerful Savoury French Olive Cheese And Onion Cake Recipes

SAVORY CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• For the crust: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom of four 4-inch springform pans with nonstick spray.
• Mix the cracker crumbs, butter and pecans in a medium bowl until evenly moistened. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pans. Bake until the crusts are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool the pans on a rack.
• Once completely cool, spray the sides of the pans with cooking spray and line with strips of parchment.
• For the Cheddar-pimento cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, Cheddar, pimentos, Worcestershire, hot sauce and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the candied bacon and scallion greens.
• For the blue cheese cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, blue cheese, cream and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Fold in the dates and shallots. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the candied walnuts and a drizzle of honey.
• For the mozzarella-basil cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, cream and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Fold in the chopped basil. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the cherry tomatoes, drizzles of balsamic syrup and olive oil and a sprig of basil.
• For the goat cheese-herb cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, goat cheese, cream, parsley, rosemary, lemon zest, Worcestershire to taste and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Spread the jam over top. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment.

FRENCH SAVORY CAKE WITH HAM, CHEESE, AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 5-in (23 x 12 cm) loaf pan (see note for other size options). Line the bottom and two longer sides of the pan with a sling of parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, herbes de Provence, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs, yogurt, and olive oil. Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients and stir, using a spatula, until just combined. Fold in the cheese, ham, and olives. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan. Use the spatula to smooth out the surface.
• Bake until the bread is puffed and golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes. Pull on the parchment paper to unmold the cake, running a knife around the pan if necessary. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
• Slice the bread and serve at room temperature, or warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes before serving.
• STORAGE: The flavors of this French savory cake keep developing as it sits, which makes it even better the next day. If you can, make it in advance, let it rool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes before serving.
• French savory cake will keep refrigerated, tightly wrapped, for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 1 month.
• NOTE: The batter can also be baked in two small loaf pans (6 x 3.5 in / 15 x 9 cm) for about 25 minutes, or in a standard muffin pan. Line the pan with parchment paper cups. Divide the batter between the cups and bake for 20 minutes, or until the savory cupcakes are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

CHIC AND CHEERFUL - SAVOURY FRENCH OLIVE, CHEESE AND ONION CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a small frying pan. Gently fry the onion for about 10 minutes, or until soft and golden.
• Meanwhile, sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Gradually whisk in the eggs, followed by the milk, until you have a smooth batter. Mix in the cheese, olives and sautéed onions, along with their oil. Cover and leave to rest for 2 hours. This will make a lighter cake.
• Preheat the oven to 220C,450F, gas mark 7 and grease 6 mini loaf tins (see above), or one large loaf tin. Give the batter a good stir and divide between the tins.
• Bake at the centre of the oven for 15 - 20 minutes for the 6 mini loaf tins, or 20-30 minutes for the large loaf - or until firm and golden. Leave to cool.
• When cold, turn out of the tins and wrap or store in an airtight tin. These savoury cake/s freeze very well in slices or as 1 whole or 6 mini loaves.
• NB. These can be made in advance and refrigerated. Bake them in a tray of mini loaf pans or individual mini loaf tins (the tins should be about 10 x 6 x 3.5cm). Alternatively, try muffin tins.

FRENCH ONION TART WITH CHEESY THYME PASTRY

Steps:

• Put the flour in the bowl of a food processor with the 100g butter. Blitz until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, then add 50g of the cheese, 1 tbsp of the thyme leaves, some freshly ground black pepper and 1 tsp salt. Blitz again briefly to combine. Add 2-3 tbsp cold water, and pulse again until it comes together into a dough. If you don't have a food processor, do this in a bowl - rub the flour into the butter first, then stir in the remaining ingredients with a knife. Wrap and chill for at least 40 mins.
• Meanwhile, heat the 25g butter and the olive oil in a large frying pan over a low-medium heat, and cook the onions with a pinch of salt for 40-50 mins, stirring often, until sticky, golden and very soft when pressed with the back of a spoon. If they start to catch, reduce the heat further and add a splash of water. Be patient, as they will take a while to caramelise, but keep your eye on the pan so they don't burn.
• Stir in the vinegar, sugar and the anchovies. Keep stirring until the vinegar has evaporated, and the anchovies have dissolved into the onions. Remove from the heat.
• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and roll the pastry out onto a lightly floured work surface to a 3mm thickness. Use the pastry to line a 23cm tart tin (use the rolling pin to help you do this). Trim the edges so they're just overhanging the sides. Patch the pastry with the offcuts, if needed. Scrunch up a sheet of baking parchment, then open it out again to line the pastry, and fill with baking beans. Bake for 15 mins, remove the parchment and beans, then bake for a further 5-8 mins, or until the pastry looks dry, without any raw spots.
• Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, cream, remaining thyme and the rest of the cheese together with a pinch each of salt and black pepper. Stir in the caramelised onions. Trim the sides of the pastry using a serrated knife to neaten the edges. Pour the filling into the pastry case and tap the tin gently on the work surface to release any bubbles.
• Bake the quiche for 25-30 mins on the middle shelf of the oven until lightly golden and set in the middle, with a slight wobble. Leave to cool in the tin for at least 15-20 mins, then slice. To make the salad, whisk the olive oil and vinegar together in a bowl, then toss in the remaining ingredients. Pile the salad on top of the quiche, or serve alongside. If you like, leave the quiche to cool completely, then chill before serving. Will keep in the fridge for up to three days.

GERMAN ONION CAKE

Steps:

• In medium skillet, saute the onions in butter over low heat until they just begin to brown, about 15 minutes.
• Season with 1/4 tsp of the salt, the marjoram and the pepper.
• Set aside to cool.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• In a food processor bowl place flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and the remaining salt; mix.
• Add the shortening and process just until it is the texture of soft crumbs.
• Add the milk and mix quickly to form a soft dough.
• Oil a 10 inch round cake pan and lightly use your fingers to spread the dough out evenly.
• Spread the cooked onion over the top.
• Beat the egg and sour cream together.
• Spoon the mixture over the onion, and spread it out to the very edge of the pan.
• Sprinkle lightly with poppy seeds and paprika.
• Bake for 20 minutes.
• Let cool slightly, then cut into wedges.

OLIVE & ONION QUICK BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat., In a large bowl, whisk flour, rosemary, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk and melted butter until blended. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in 1/4 cup cheese, olives and onion., Transfer to a greased 8x4-in. loaf pan. Bake 40 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 5-10 minutes longer. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.

CHEESE & ONION FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cheese blend, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese and onions; spread over cut sides of bread., Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.