Jills Basic Potato Tart Recipes

JILL'S HASH BROWN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Mix soup, sour cream, butter, potatoes, onion, cheese and black pepper to taste in 3-quart shallow baking dish. Sprinkle corn flakes over potato mixture.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes or until hot.

SAVORY POTATO TART

Steps:

• Put flour and salt in a mixing bowl (or use a food processor or a stand mixer with paddle attachment). Add half the butter and mix well, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add remaining butter chunks and the water and mix until dough comes together. Remove dough, divide into two equal pieces and dust with flour. Quickly form each piece into a ball, then press down to make two 1-inch-thick disks. Wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. (May be made a day in advance or frozen for up to 2 weeks.)
• Slice potatoes as thinly as possible, using a sharp knife, mandolin or food processor. Put potato slices in a large bowl and add crème fraîche, salt, pepper, nutmeg, garlic and thyme. Mix well with hands, making sure all slices are coated and seasoning is well distributed. Set aside.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. On a well-floured surface, roll out each pastry disk to 12 1/2 inches in diameter. Line an 11-inch fluted French tart pan (with removable bottom) with one sheet of pastry, pressing in at the sides and leaving a 1-inch overlap hanging.
• Add the potatoes to the tart pan in even layers, making sure to scrape in all remaining crème fraîche with a rubber spatula. Lay the second pastry sheet on top. With a paring knife, trim excess dough and crimp the edges all around to seal. Make a few slits in the dough to allow steam to escape. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set tart on it. Stir egg yolk and cream together and paint the top of the tart generously.
• Bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees, then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 1 hour more, until top is golden and potatoes are tender when probed with a paring knife. Cool slightly, then set tart pan over a small, sturdy bowl, so that the bottom of the tart pan is elevated and the fluted ring comes off. Carefully transfer tart to a plate. Serve small slices, hot or at room temperature. May be cooled completely and reheated if desired.

MIXED POTATO TART

Steps:

• If you're making the pastry, mix the flour and butter in a food process or until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water and process for 5 seconds to combine. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and gather into a smooth ball.
• Roll out the pastry on a sheet of baking paper large enough to fit the base and sides of a 23 cm (9 inch) flan tin. Ease the pastry into the tin, trim the edge and chill for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 190C (375F).
• Cover the pastry with a piece of greaseproof paper, fill with uncooked rice or baking beads and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the paper and weights and bake for another 10 minutes. Cool slightly.
• Thinly slice the potatoes. Cook in a steamer for 15 minutes, until just tender (I use the microwave). Drain off any liquid, cover and allow to cool slightly.
• Layer the potato in the pastry shell in an overlapping pattern with the onion, gently pushing the layers in to compact them. (I just make one layer of white potato, one of sweet potato, then a layer of onion). Finish with a layer of onion.
• Combine the cream, eggs, mustard, and seasonings and pour over the tart.
• Bake at 190C (375F) for 35 minutes or until golden.

JILL'S GRASSHOPPER PIE

Steps:

• Mix crushed cookies with melted butter to make the crust. Pat onto the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie pan.
• Heat marshmallows and milk together in a large saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until marshmallows are melted, about 8 minutes. Stir in creme de menthe, creme de cacao, and green food coloring until smooth.
• Immerse the bottom of the saucepan in cool water for several minutes to cool the marshmallow mixture.
• Beat cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into marshmallow mixture. Pour into pie crust and smooth the top.
• Cover pie with plastic wrap and freeze until set, about 3 hours.