Rustic Fig Serrano Ham Hazelnut Tartines Recipes

RUSTIC FIG, SERRANO HAM & HAZELNUT TARTINES

Steps:

• Make the crust
• 1. Combine the first nine ingredients in a food processor. Pulse three times to aerate. Add the cold butter and pulse ten times, until the butter is the size of small peas. Add 6 tablespoons of ice water and pulse. The dough does not need to form a ball. Simply press the dough and see if it comes together. If it seems crumbly, add another tablespoon of ice water.
• 2. Transfer the dough onto a work surface and knead it a couple of times. Quickly form it into a 6-inch square. Do not handle the dough too much, and don't worry if it isn't a perfect square. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, flatten it, and refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
• 3. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the dough from the refrigerator. It is best to work on a cold surface, such as marble. Dust your surface and your rolling pin with a little bit of superfine brown rice flour. Roll the dough to a rectangle that is approximately 7 by 10 inches and 1/4 inch thick. Again, it doesn't have to be perfect. Work quickly so the dough doesn't become too soft. If it cracks, pinch it back together.
• 4. Transfer the rolled dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Trim the edges with a pie cutter if desired. Chill the dough for 20 minutes or until firm.
• 5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the crust cool while preparing the topping (leave the oven on). I recommend arranging the topping while the crust is slightly warm, as the warmth brings out all the flavors.
• Prepare the topping
• 1. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (180°C). Place the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast them for 5 to 7 minutes or until golden and the skin begins to loosen. Transfer them to a kitchen towel and rub them together to remove their skins. Let them cool. Coarsely chop them.
• 2. Place the goat cheese in a bowl and quickly stir it to loosen it. Spread over the warm tart.
• 3. Arrange the figs, ham, watercress, red onion, and toasted hazelnuts over the goat cheese. Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the top. Cut into squares and serve immediately.

SERRANO HAM-WRAPPED FIGS

Steps:

• Prepare the figs: Combine the wine, 1 cup water, the cloves, allspice and peppercorns in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour over the figs in a large bowl and let soak at room temperature, 1 hour. (The figs can be prepared up to 1 week ahead; refrigerate in an airtight container.)
• Meanwhile, make the crema: Combine the blue cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, buttermilk and roasted garlic in a blender; puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. (The crema can be made up to 1 day ahead; refrigerate in an airtight container.)
• Drain the figs and remove the stems. Carefully wrap each fig with a piece of ham, trimming as necessary. Place small dollops of the crema on a serving platter. Arrange the wrapped figs on the crema and drizzle with the vinegar.

TARTINES WITH BLUE CHEESE, FIG & HAM

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Brush the baguette slices with olive oil and season. Arrange on baking trays, then bake for 5 mins until crisp. Cool before spreading over some cheese and topping each tartine with a piece of ham and a fig quarter. Add a little ground black pepper, if you like.
• Serve with a couple of crusty baguettes and some nice French cheeses and meats, arranged on boards and platters with tapenade, cornichons and hard-boiled quails eggs. Add a bowl of salad and Kir Royale to drink (see recipes below).

FIG AND HAZELNUT TARTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cut 6 figs into 3/4-inch dice. Set aside in a bowl.
• In a food processor, process nuts until medium fine. Sift together flour and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar; add to nuts; pulse to combine. Add egg, egg white, butter, brandy, pepper, and zest. Process to combine, about 10 seconds. Add batter to figs, and mix together.
• Spray four 3 3/4-inch (or one 8-inch) tart pans with vegetable-oil spray. Divide batter evenly among the pans. Cut remaining 2 figs lengthwise into 6 slices each. Arrange 3 slices over each tart. Place tart pans on a baking sheet. Bake until tarts are set and golden brown, about 40 minutes (for individual tarts or one large tart). Remove from oven and cool slightly. Remove tarts from pans, sprinkle with remaining sugar, and serve.

FIG & SERRANO HAM PICNIC BREAD

Steps:

• Tip the bread mix into a large mixing bowl with the shredded sage and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Put 2 tbsp of the oil and the garlic in a jug with the amount of water stated on the bread mix pack. Stir the liquid into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon, then bring the dough together with your hands and knead for 5 mins on a floured surface until smooth. Return to the mixing bowl, cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise until doubled in size.
• Punch the dough a few times to knock out the air, then divide into 8 portions. Roll each to a flattish bap shape on a lightly floured surface and arrange in a roughly 20 x 30cm roasting tin. Toss the whole sage leaves, figs, onion and ham with 1 tbsp of the oil, then scatter these over the top. Use your fingers to press the toppings into the bread a little, and spread the bread to fill any gaps. Cover loosely with oiled cling film and leave to rise for 20 mins until it has puffed up.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Drizzle over the remaining oil, sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper, and bake for 30 mins until risen, golden and crisp on top. Leave to cool in the tin for 15 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Pack back into the tin to transport to a picnic, and tear the bread into 8 portions.