Spring Onion Pea Pancetta Tart Recipes

CREAMY SPRING PEAS WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Fill a large bowl with ice water. If using fresh English peas, add to the boiling water and cook until tender, about 1 minute. Add the snap peas and cook until bright green, about 2 minutes, then add the snow peas and cook 30 seconds. Drain the peas and plunge into the ice water to cool.
• Cook the pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon. Add the flour to the drippings in the skillet and cook, whisking, until toasted, about 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken broth and cream and cook until reduced by one-third, about 6 minutes.
• Drain the peas, shaking off the excess water, then add to the skillet (if using frozen peas, add them here). Cook, stirring, until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the pancetta.
• Photograph courtesy Anna Williams

BREAKFAST TART WITH PANCETTA AND GREEN ONIONS

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Butter and flour the bottom and sides of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Unroll the pie crust and gently press into the bottom and sides of the pan. Trim any excess from the top.
• With the tines of a fork, prick the bottom of the pastry. Using a pastry brush, brush the crust with the beaten egg white. Put the pan on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, until the egg white has set. Let cool 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, for 6 to 8 minutes, until browned and crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
• In a medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Whisk in the mascarpone, gruyere, scallions, salt, pepper and the pancetta. Pour into the cooled crust and bake for about 18 minutes, until the mixture has set and the top is golden.
• Cool the tart for 10 to 15 minutes and then remove from the pan. Cut the tart into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature.

PEA & SPRING ONION TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. To make the pastry, tip the flour and butter into a food processor, and pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the cheese and pulse to combine. Add 2-3 tbsp cold water and mix to a firm dough.
• Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly. Roll out and line a 30 x 20cm rectangular tin (or a 26cm round flan tin) - no need to trim the pastry edges. Chill for 15 mins, then line with baking parchment, fill with baking beans and blind-bake for 10 mins. Remove the parchment and beans, and bake for a further 10 mins until biscuity brown. Trim off excess pastry using a small sharp knife.
• Reduce oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Melt the butter in a frying pan, add the spring onions and gently fry for a couple of mins until softened. Add the peas, season and cook gently, stirring occasionally, for a further 5 mins. Tip into the food processor with the milk and work to a purée.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl, then beat in the crème fraîche, nutmeg, half the cheese, the pea purée and seasoning. Pour into the pastry case and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for 25-35 mins until the filling is firm and lightly browned.

SPRING ONION, PEA & PANCETTA TART

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Unravel the sheet of puff pastry on its baking parchment and slide onto a large baking tray. Score a border about 1cm from the edge all the way around the pastry, being careful not to cut all the way through. Prick the middle all over with a fork, then bake for 15 mins until puffed up and golden. Tip the spring onions onto a small baking tray, drizzle with the oil and season. Roast these alongside the pastry for the final 5 mins of cooking time.
• Meanwhile, cook the pancetta in a small frying pan set over a medium heat until golden. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
• Mix the soft cheese, chopped herbs, egg yolk, half the parmesan and the mustard together and season well. Gently squash the middle of the tart base down using the back of a spoon, then spread over the soft cheese mixture. Scatter the defrosted peas and pancetta over the soft cheese mixture, then arrange the roasted spring onions on top. Sprinkle over the remaining parmesan and return to the oven for 10 mins. Scatter with the remaining whole-leaf herbs, then slice and serve.

SPRING PEAS WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and saute for about 5 minutes or until the pancetta is crispy. Remove pancetta. Chop pancetta into pieces.
• Add onion and garlic to the drippings in the skillet. Saute for 2-5 minutes until tender.
• Add peas, broth, sugar, salt and pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until the peas are at the desired tenderness.
• Stir in chopped parsley and pancetta. Stir and heat through.
• Serve.