French Country Tart Variations Recipes

COUNTRY FRENCH OMELET

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch ovenproof omelet pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook for 3 to 5 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is browned but not crisp. Take the bacon out of the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.
• Place the potatoes in the pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Continue to cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until very tender and browned, tossing occasionally to brown evenly. Remove with a slotted spoon to the same plate with the bacon.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, beat the eggs, milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together with a fork. After the potatoes are removed, pour the fat out of the pan and discard. Add the butter, lower the heat to low, and pour the eggs into the hot pan. Sprinkle the bacon, potatoes, and chives evenly over the top and place the pan in the oven for about 8 minutes, just until the eggs are set. Slide onto a plate, divide in half, and serve hot.

FRENCH COUNTRY TART (TWO VARIATIONS) W/ PATE BRISEE CRUST

Steps:

• Special Equipment: 9 by 2 1/2-inch deep foil pan.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Whisk the eggs and cream together in a large mixing bowl. Add the salt, pepper and nutmeg and whisk to blend.
• For the Lorraine tart: put the onion into a small skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil. Place the pan over medium heat and cook until the onion is translucent, about 10 to 15 minutes. Brush the bottom of the prepared tart shell with the Dijon and spread the cooked onion, bacon and Gruyere on top. Pour the custard over the filling and place the pan into the bottom half of the preheated oven. Bake the tart until the filling is slightly puffed and golden, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool 10 minutes before serving.
• For the olives, roasted red pepper and goat cheese tart: Put the olives, roasted red pepper and goat cheese into the prepared tart shell and pour the custard over the filling. Bake as above.
• Pate Brisee:
• Pan release spray
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 7 tablespoons butter, chilled and cut into bits
• 3 tablespoons ice water
• Prepare the tart pan by spraying it with pan release spray and coating it with the cornmeal. Knock out any excess cornmeal and set the pan aside.
• Blend the flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Transfer the mix to a large mixing bowl and add the water 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring constantly with a fork. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead just until it forms a ball. Flatten the dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least one hour.
• On a floured surface, roll the dough out to a 12-inch circle. Carefully lift it into the prepared pan, pressing into the bottom and up the sides. Leave at least a 1-inch overhang, which will be used to crimp the edges. Prick the bottom of the pan all over and place in the freezer for 15 minutes.