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Say Cheese! Tomato and Goat Cheese Tarts

partysugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:55:37 -0700

Earlier today I teased your tastebuds with a goat cheese quiz, so it's only fair to share my current favorite goat cheese recipe: tomato and goat cheese tarts. Goat's milk has a high amount of fatty acids (much more than cow's milk) that provide the cheese with its characteristic tart flavor.

Goat cheese most commonly comes in a soft, spreadable, crumbly form, although there are hard aged varieties that have a consistency more like feta. Since goats are hardy animals that can survive in areas where cows cannot - parts of the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean - goat cheese is the world's most widely consumed cheese.

I love the salty and creamy flavor of goat cheese and almost always have it in my refrigerator. To see how I paired the tangy cheese with ripe tomatoes to make this easy tart, read more.

I'm a huge fan of Barefoot Contessa's recipes, and this is another winner! The tart dough is simply puff pastry, but she adds layers of flavor with caramelized onions, Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil. I've served this tart many times, both as a main course and a side dish, in individual portions and as a slab. Sliced into smaller pieces it could even work as an appetizer.

Tomato and Goat Cheese Tarts
From Ina Garten

Ingredients

1 package (17.3 ounces/2 sheets) puff pastry, defrosted
Good olive oil
4 cups thinly sliced yellow onions (2 large onions)
3 large garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons dry white wine
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, plus 2 ounces shaved with a vegetable peeler
4 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese (recommended: Montrachet)
1 large tomato, cut into 4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
3 tablespoons julienned basil leaves

Directions

Unfold a sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll it lightly to an 11 by 11-inch square. Using a 6-inch wide saucer or other round object as a guide, cut 2 circles from the sheet of puff pastry, discarding the scraps. Repeat with the second pastry sheet to make 4 circles in all. Place the pastry circles on 2 sheet pans lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until ready to use.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium to low heat and add the onions and garlic. Saute for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are limp and there is almost no moisture remaining in the skillet.
Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the wine, and thyme and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, until the onions are lightly browned. Remove from the heat.
Using a sharp paring knife, score a 1/4-inch-wide border around each pastry circle. Prick the pastry inside the score lines with the tines of a fork and sprinkle a tablespoon of grated Parmesan on each round, staying inside the scored border.
Place 1/4 of the onion mixture on each circle, again staying within the scored edge.
Crumble 1 ounce of goat cheese on top of the onions.
Place a slice of tomato in the center of each tart. Brush the tomato lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with basil, salt, and pepper. Finally, scatter 4 or 5 shards of Parmesan on each tart.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. The bottom sheet pan may need an extra few minutes in the oven. Serve hot or warm.

Makes 4 individual tarts.

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Let's Dish: What's Your Favorite Salty-Sweet Combo?

YumSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:50:49 -0700

I have a serious weakness for sweet-salty foods. One of my favorite ice cream treats as a kid involved saltine crackers, and the salted caramel ice cream at local sweet shop Bi-Rite Creamery is to die for. The sweet-savory deliciousness extends far beyond desserts to everything from fig pizza to watermelon and feta salad. What's your favorite dish that combines savory and sweet tastes?

This Thanksgiving Make a Savory Side of Madeleine

YumSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:15:54 -0800

One of the most overlooked items on a Thanksgiving table is the bread; often it is nothing more than store-bought rolls. Although I've made buttermilk biscuits in the past, this year I was looking for a bread item that can be made in advance. I was thrilled to find a creative alternative in this recipe for savory madeleine.
The batter is basically a cornbread, but as the madeleines cook the shell side bakes to a delightful crispness that enhances the texture of the bread. I seasoned each of the madeleines with different ingredients using sage, Gruyére cheese and kalamata olives. Other great flavor options are jalapeno, rosemary, or sun-dried tomato. The possibilities are endless - you could even season them to complement each course of the meal. To try this delectable alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving rolls or biscuits, read more.

Savory Madeleines
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
3 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage
1/2 cup finely chopped Kalamata pitted olives
1/2 cup shredded Gruyére cheese
Olive Oil or Canola Spray for greasing pans

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease madeleine pans.
Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Let cool slightly.
Whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in eggs, milk, and browned butter until smooth. Divide batter among 3 bowls.
To create 3 different flavors, fold 1 filling into each bowl of batter (sage, olives, and Gruyére cheese). Divide batter among pans, filling cups 3/4 full.
Bake until golden brown and firm, 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately unmold, and let cool completely on wire racks.

Makes 42 Madelines.

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What's Your Preference: Sweet or Savory?

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:00:15 -0700

Yesterday evening over dinner, my cousin and I got into a discussion about sweet foods versus savory ones. He said he would take a dessert any day over something savory. I love them both but would definitely reach for salty things - among them chips and salsa, olives, and pickles - first. What about you? Which do you prefer?

Source

Savory Sight: Gorgonzola, Apple, and Bacon Mac-n-Cheese

Yum Community — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:30:15 -0800

This story was written by member jadenirvana and comes from the Savory Sights group in the YumSugar Community. I made Yum's insanely good mac 'n' cheese recipe in some ramekins my mother in law gave me for creme brulee. The little tart-size dishes made the meal extra cute, and I substituted bacon for walnuts for extra yumminess. The combo of sharp gorgonzola, crisp apples and rich bacon was so good, literally one of the most delish things I've ever tasted, and I never would have thought of it on my own. How do you do it Yum?

Have you eaten an awesome meal? Join the Savory Sights group, upload your photos and a description of the experience, and it could be featured on YumSugar! If you are new to the YumSugar Community, here's a detailed guide to posting to groups.

Check Out These Savory Sights!

partysugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:54 -0700

What do tostones con mojo, pirate cake, and breakfast at McDonald's have in common? Pics of these dishes can all be found in the YumSugar Community's Savory Sights group. Whether it's the comforting chili you made last night for dinner or the masterpiece you had while dining at one of Las Vegas's celebrity chef restaurants, Savory Sights is your place for posting the most scrumptious-looking food porn. It only takes a minute to upload a picture, so start sharing your savory sights with us today. To get a taste of the food currently on display, click on an image below.

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Better Know a Group: Savory Sights

YumSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:08:32 -0700

*Drool* You know you're drooling too. How could you not be drooling at this three layer chocolate raspberry mousse cake with white chocolate ganache, raspberries and chocolate shavings on top. This photo was posted by our very own geeksugar in the Savory Sights Group. And today, as part of my Better Know a Group series, I thought I'd take a minute to introduce you to the Savory Sights Group.

You might be asking yourself, how is this different from the other food groups? Well, this one is just for photos (think of it as look book for your food). Go out to dinner? Take a picture and post it for us to share! Have a fantastic meal at a friend's house? Take a picture and post it! See a fancy new product? Well, you get the idea.

Post your hard kitchen work and recipes in another group (such as kitchen goddess or Let's Have a Drink), and post your inspiration here! Join now and get your pictures posted, because we're planning on giving away stuff to our favorite image each month!! To learn how to post to the Savory Sights Group, read more

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Savory Sights Group
Click "Participate!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "food and entertaining"
Add keywords (for example mine for this photo were "salmon, mango salsa, fish")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the Savory Sights group and start posting your great photos!

Savory Sights: Beautiful Trifle

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 10:57:41 -0800

Doesn't this look absolutely delicious?

TeamSugar member abbeycamp posted it in the Savory Sights Group and boy oh boy it looks delicious. Thankfully she's also posted a recipe for this raspberry, white chocolate, and almond trifle.

Now it's time for you to share! Next time you go out to dinner or make a fancy creation, snap a picture and post it in the Savory Sights Group.

To learn how to post to the group, read more

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Savory Sights Group
Click "Create and Share!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "food and entertaining"
Add keywords (for example mine for this photo were "salmon, mango salsa, fish")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the Savory Sights group and start posting your great photos! Yours just might end up on the YumSugar homepage!

Savory Sights: Homemade Aprons

YumSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:11:19 -0800

I love aprons and I love homemade gifts, so when I saw these adorable homemade aprons posted in the Savory Sights Group, I absolutely went gaga! Reader SweetPeasMom posted this one and six others that she made for her friends.

Your photo could be shown here next! Just post them in the Savory Sights Group.

To learn how to post to the group, read more

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Savory Sights Group
Click "Create and Share!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "food and entertaining"
Add keywords (for example mine for this photo were "salmon, mango salsa, fish")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the Savory Sights group and start posting your great photos! Yours just might end up on the YumSugar homepage!

Savory Sights: Scampi and Mussels Na Buzaru

YumSugar — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 07:59:12 -0800

This sensational Savory Sight of Scampi and Mussels Na Buzaru, comes from reader cupcake17. She snapped this pick while she was staying in Veli Losinj, Croatia. I absolutely love the way the dish is staring back at me, as well as the colors. Looks great, thanks for sharing!

Your photo could be shown here next! Just post them in the Savory Sights Group.

To learn how to post to the group, read more

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Savory Sights Group
Click "Create and Share!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "food and entertaining"
Add keywords (for example mine for this photo were "salmon, mango salsa, fish")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the Savory Sights group and start posting your great photos! Yours just might end up on the YumSugar homepage!