Zucchini Tart

Everywhere I look these days, I see Zucchini. From local farmers markets to backyard gardens. They're so fresh and so delicious that I've decided to come up with different ways to use them in my cooking. The other week I made some delicious patty cakes (recipe is on my Instagram). Today though, I have decided to make a tart. Give my recipe a try. You'll love it.





Ingredients
Dough/Crust
1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup ice cold water
1 tbsp granulated white sugar
1 tsp salt
(make sure to wrap dough and place in refrigerator for 3hrs)

Filling
6-8 medium zucchini
1 onion, diced
3 eggs
1/2 cup feta cheese
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup milk
1 tbsp all purpose flour
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

Method
Preheat oven to 375F. Roll out crust and place into tart dish or pie dish. Peel the zucchini into thin slices, and set aside. Mix all other ingredients and pour into pie dish. Roll zucchini thins into little roses (see my Instagram video) place around the rim of the pie and move inwards until the whole top is covered. Bake in oven for 50 minutes. Enjoy!





Peach Galette

Peaches are in season right now which gave me the hankering to make a delicious peach dessert. I decided to be a little different today and made a peach galette which tastes very much like my peach pie or tart. A galette is a French term used to describe a large round pastry or pancake. It's rustic looking appearance and simple yet delicious ingredients make it a popular go to dessert and is commonly enjoyed in the summer months.

Ingredients
Dough/Crust

1/2 cup cold butter, cubed

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup ice cold water

3 tbsp granulated white sugar

1 tsp salt

1 egg (for crust egg wash)

Filling

8 peaches, sliced

1 cup granulated white sugar

2 tbsp water

1 tbsp all purpose flour

1 tbsp orange blossom water

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground cardamon

or

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 

Method for crust

In a stand mixer, add flour and butter and mix using dough hook attachment. Mix for 2-3 minutes on medium speed until flour resembles cornmeal, then add remaining ingredients until it mixes into dough. If you don't have a mixer, you can use a fork to press the pieces of butter into the flour, and slowly add the other ingredients until dough forms. Roll by hand and plastic wrap, then place into the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.



Method for filling

Wash and slice yellow fleshed peaches. Place in large bowl and add all other ingredients. Mix well, then let sit for 20 - 30 minutes to soften and for liquid to release from fruit. 

Assembly

Preheat oven to 375F. Roll out dough on a floured counter top into a large circle. Make sure to not roll it too thin. If convenient, place dough on pan lined with parchment paper before assembly to prevent galette falling apart during transition. Lay peach slices clockwise in a circle within a circle in the centre of the dough, and fold over the sides. Give crust an egg wash and sprinkle sugar and salt over top. Place 2 or 3 pea sized pieces of butter on top of the peaches and drizzle the remaining peach liquid overt top the fruit and pop into the oven for 1 hour. 

Serve hot with vanilla ice cream.
Enjoy!