Parma Ham & Buffalo Mozzarella Tart

In an effort to put some more waist friendly recipes on the blog I thought a savoury tart might go down well.  I actually have it on good authority that they go down very well.  Mr. Boo cleaned his plate and asked for more, he was a little beyond disappointed  when I told him there was none as I had made only enough for the two of us.

This would make a nice light summer dinner or lunch option and as the pastry is shop bought (I ask you, who has the time to be making puff pastry from scratch on a week night?) it can be prepared in a jiffy.

Parma Ham & Buffalo Mozzarella Tart

Serves 2 as a main course or 4 as a starter

1 Sheet of Puff Pastry (defrosted)
5 Cherry Tomatoes (quartered)
2 large Sundried Tomatoes in Olive Oil (roughly chopped)
3 slices of Parma Ham (roughly chopped or torn)
60g Buffalo Mozzarella (torn) (I used half a 125g ball)
A handful of Rocket
8-10 Basil Leaves (torn)
A little oil to brush the pastry (I used rape seed)

1.  Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6.
2.  Dust a baking sheet with flour.
3.  Place the pastry onto the floured baking sheet and prick all over with a fork.
4.  Brush the pastry with a little oil, paying attention to the edges that will remain uncovered by toppings.
5.  Leaving a border of approximately 1cm around the edge dot the cherry tomatoes around the pastry, repeat with the buffalo mozzarella, the sundried tomatoes and the parma ham.

6.  Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.  (adjust times to suit your oven as temperatures may vary, once the edges are golden brown the tart is ready)

7.  Remove the tart from the oven and scatter over the rocket and basil leaves. (depending on how peppery the rocket tastes you may also want to season with some freshly ground black pepper)

I served this with a salad but feel free to serve it with sides of your choice.

If you would like to make this as a starter cut the pastry sheet into 4 squares before dressing to make individual tarts.

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary Part Deux

Last Tuesday I planted a selection of herbs. Everyday since I have been fussing over them, checking they have enough water, ensuring they have enough sun and allowing them a couple of hours fresh air out of their miniature hot house. You can imagine my delight on Saturday when I saw signs of life sprouting from a couple of the little pots.

Just look at my rocket plant, it is already 3 or 4 cm high

and my basil has 3 or 4 shoots coming through (they are kind of hard to make out in this photo)

I will keep you updated on their progress and hopefully I can make some delicious breads with them soon.

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

I decided to finally plant some herbs this summer having procrastonated for the past 4 years since having the garden landscaped.  I had to pay a visit to my local garden centre at the weekend to pick up some terracotta pots for my popover post so, decided to kill two birds with one stone and pick up some herb seeds while there.  I started some mint plants last year which grew really well but following a weekend stay in my brother in laws house following a Mojito emergency the poor things were in a pretty sorry state.  But, I have managed to revive them with weekly doses of some tar like tea.  I'm hoping for some similar success with this new batch of seeds so have my fingers well and truly crossed.

I purchased a starter pack that contained 12 different varieties as follows:
Oregano
Parsley Envy
Rocket
Bush Basil
Thyme
Lovage
Chives
Lemon Coriander
Sage
Rosemary
Coriander
Mint

I also bought another pack of Basil (I kinda love Basil) and some Dill.

I am looking forward to some nice breads later in the summer with various herb flavours, and they will also make a nice addition to salads, meats and fish.  Now all I have to do is to remember to water them!