Wild mushroom and Fontina Tarts

Serves 2 to 4 people

 

Ingredients

25g dried wild mushrooms

1 red onion, chopped

30ml olive oil

2 garlic cloves, chopped

30ml medium-dry sherry

1 egg

120ml single light cream

25 fontina cheese, thinly sliced

salt and ground black pepper

rocket (arugula) leaves, to serve

 

For the pastry

115g wholemeal (whole-wheat) flour

50g unsalted (sweet) butter

25g walnuts, roasted and ground

1 egg, lightly beaten

 

Method

1. To make the pastry, sift the flour into a bowl and rub in butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the nuts then egg and mix to a soft dough. Gather into a ball, wrap, then chill for 30minutes.

2. Meanwhile, place the dried wild mushrooms in a bowl and add 300ml boiling water. Soak for 30minutes. Drain well and reserve the liquid. Cook the onion in the oil for 5 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring.

3. Add the soaked mushrooms and cook for 7 minutes over a high heat until the edges become crisp. Add the sherry and the reserved mushroom soaking liquid. Cook over a high heat for about 10minutes, until the liquid has evaporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside to cool.

4. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Lightly grease four 10cm tarlets tins (muffin pans). Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured work surface and use to line the tart tins.

5. Prick the pastry bases all over with a fork, line with baking parchment and baking beans and bake blind for about 10minutes. Remove the paper and beans.

6. Whisk the egg and cream to mix, add to the mushroom mixture, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon the filling into the pastry cases, top with cheese slices and bake for about 15-20minutes, until the filling is set. Leave to cool slightly, then serve warm with rocket.

 

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