Recipe Mushroom Walnut Tarts

MUSHROOM WALNUT TARTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 12-count muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
• Prepare the pie crust mix according to package instructions. Evenly divide the dough into 10 pieces. Divide the dough among the cups of the muffin tin, and press into the bottom and up the sides in an even layer to form a mini crust. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.
• Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, garlic, thyme and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until the mushrooms are golden. Set aside 10 mushroom slices to garnish the top of the tarts. Set aside 1/3 cup mushrooms and onions for Round 2 Recipe Braised Beef and Mushroom Soup.
• Add the remaining sauteed mushrooms and onions with the walnuts into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Pulse to coarsely chop. Add the breadcrumbs and beef broth, and a pulse a few times to mix in.
• Spoon the mushroom and walnut mixture into the pie crusts in the muffin tin. Top each with a reserved mushroom slice. Bake until the crust is golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool in the tin about 30 minutes before carefully removing the tarts.

WILD MUSHROOM TART WITH WALNUT CREAM

Steps:

• Make the pastry one day in advance by placing the flour and pinch of salt in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Sift by turning on and off once. Scatter the butter over the flour. Turn machine four or five times, or until the mixture resembles coarse oatmeal. Sprinkle with two and one-half tablespoons of ice water and turn the machine on and off twice. Dump onto a work surface covered with a sheet of waxed paper. The dough should not be too crumbly; if it is, sprinkle with droplets of cold water - just enough to mass the dough together; don't let it get at all damp. Wrap tightly and chill overnight.
• Place the dough between sheets of waxed paper or plastic wrap and roll out to make a large rectangle. Lift off the top sheet and fold the pastry dough into thirds. Turn the dough one-quarter and repeat rolling and folding once. Chill the dough for 20 minutes, then cut into eight equal-sized pieces. Roll out each portion to a paper-thin round and fit into mold or flan ring. Keep chilled until ready to bake. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough.
• Trim cepes' stems and wipe caps with a damp paper towel. Blanch for five minutes in salted boiling water; drain and press dry between paper toweling. Place the egg, prosciutto, bread, walnuts and shallots in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with metal blade and grind to a smooth paste, scraping down the insides of the work bowl from time to time. Scrape into a wide soup bowl, cover and refrigerate for three-quarters of an hour. Using a dinner fork, gradually work in small amounts of the cold cream into the walnut mixture. Each portion of cream must be blended in before the next is added. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spread an even, thin layer of the walnut mixture on the dough. Cut the cepes vertically into very thin slices; fan the slices slightly and place on top of the cream. Brush the surface with a little melted butter mixed with crushed garlic, salt and pepper. Bake on the middle oven shelf for 30 minutes. If using tartlet molds, cool on a wire rack for five minutes before turning out. Sprinkle the mushrooms with a few drops of walnut oil. Serve with a strong sweet chilled wine, such as Sherry.

WALNUT TART

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk. Gradually add flour just until blended (mixture will be crumbly). , Press onto the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9-in. tart pan with removable bottom. Place pan on baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 12-14 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. , Sprinkle nuts over crust. In a small heavy saucepan, combine sugar, butter, corn syrup and 2 tablespoons of cream. Boil and stir over medium heat for 1 minute longer. Pour over walnuts. , Return pan to baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until bubbly. Cool on a wire rack. , In a small bowl, beat remaining cream until stiff peaks form. Serve tart at room temperature with whipped cream.