Recipe

Leek Tart with Ricotta and Pea Puree

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Leek Tart with Ricotta and Pea Puree

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by HollowLeg

Leek Tart with Ricotta and Pea Puree

Photo 2 of 2
by HollowLeg

  • This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Spring Vegetable Recipe
  • thehappycook's Testing Notes: With a lovely puff pastry crust, this tart is simple, delicious and quite lovely aesthetically -- it has multiple colored layers. The peas, ricotta and leeks play well with each other. I used...

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  • Chef

    HollowLeg's Notes: This tart was inspired by Suzanne Goin's tarts in Sunday Suppers at Lucques, with my own springtime variations. The tart is a layering of puff pastry, pea puree and whipped ricotta, topped...

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Serves 4 Large, 6 Small

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

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  2. Prepare the Puff Pastry: Defrost the puff pastry, and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Score a ¼ inch border around the edge. Make an egg wash by whisking together one egg yolk and a tsp of water, and brush the border. Reserve the egg wash and freeze the pastry until ready to assemble.

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  3. Prepare the Leeks: Remove the dark green parts of the leek and the toughest outer layer. Trim off the root hairs while keeping the root intact. Slice the leek in half lengthwise, and rinse thoughouly with water. Slice the leeks again in half lengthwise, still keeping the root intact. Heat the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. When hot, add the leeks in one single layer. Season with about ½ tsp of kosher salt. Brown the leeks for a few minutes, and flip when they begin to brown. When leeks are lightly browned and softened (about 10 minutes total), remove the leeks onto a plate and reserve.

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  4. Prepare the Pea Puree: In a food processor, blend the peas and crème fraiche into a smooth puree. Add the lemon juice and 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste. Reserve.

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  5. Prepare the Ricotta: In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta with the leftover egg wash and the extra egg yolk. Whisk well so that the mixture will be easy to spread. Add about ½ tsp of freshly ground black pepper, ½ tsp salt, and 2 tsp fresh thyme, or to taste.

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  6. Finish the Tart: Spread the layer of pea puree onto the tart, staying within the ¼ inch border. Spread the ricotta on top (you will probably not use all of this so save it for the other half of the puff pastry sheet!). Layer the leeks on top of the ricotta. Bake for about 20 minutes, and enjoy!

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Reply

Thanks Happy Cook for the testing notes! I used the whole foods brand of puff pastry which was quite large, so could just use half of it. I agree about the thyme and the leeks - the leeks need to have all of the outer layers peeled off otherwise they are quite stringy. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Sausage2 Reply

This looks seriously tasty. I have recently discovered that I love pea puree - I used to think I just liked them in their whole form, but no more, now I'm a convert. This looks like a splendid way to put puree to use.

2011-03-07_18-28-41_870 Reply

Wow! That looks wonderful!

Reply

Thanks! If you try it, let me know what you think!

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Chef Michael Kiss

Chef Michael Kiss is the Cooking Coach at Whole Foods Market in Rockville, Md.

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