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Megan Gordon
Megan Gordon
Megan is a freelance writer, recipe developer and cookbook writer. Her first book, Whole-Grain Mornings, (Ten Speed Press) is available in bookstores nationwide.
updated Jan 21, 2020
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This time of year can be a tricky one for inspired breakfasts. Oatmeal is my go-to on weekdays, and on the weekends we often flail for something a bit more interesting but no more complex. With this morning tart, flail no more!
I call this a morning tart instead of a quiche because I tend to think of quiche as more major, perhaps even towering. Quite the opposite, this tart is more elegant and shapely — made in my 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom, it’s pretty enough to serve at a brunch with friends or all alone on a Sunday morning. You choose.
The reason I love this morning tart is that the preparation and ingredient list are simple. My cornmeal crust is a no-roll dough which makes me particularly happy when it comes to morning recipes, and it has a subtle and most likeable crunch from the last-minute addition of millet. If you’re not familiar with millet, it’s a wonderful grain that should be relatively easy to find in the bulk bins of a well-stocked grocery store. It’s packed with nutrients and fiber, and it has a mild corn flavor and wonderful crunchy texture that works perfectly in a savory crust.
I chose kale for my winter green here, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand or can find easily at the market. I think mustard greens or mizuna would be really wonderful here as well and would impart a bit of their characteristic spiciness.
Maybe the nicest thing about this tart, though, is its versatility. Not a kale fan? Substitue mushrooms instead. Hate the forward nuttiness of Gruyere? Parmesan would also be great. Need a bit more protein? How about folding in a few chunks of smoked salmon or pulled chicken or tofu? The options are endless. Make it your own, and this recipe will become your new back-pocket brunch recipe for 2013. It has, indeed, become mine.
Winter Greens & Gruyere Tart with Cornmeal-Millet Crust
Serves 6 to 8
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1/2 cup
fine cornmeal
- 3/4 cup
white-whole-wheat-flour (or all whole-wheat flour)
- 3/4 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons
cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes, plus more for pan
- 3 to 4 tablespoons
ice water
- 1/4 cup
raw millet
For the filling:
- 1/2 pound
winter greens (like kale/mustard greens) - about 1 medium bunch, ribs and stems removed and torn into large pieces
- 1 tablespoon
extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup
minced shallots (about 3 shallots)
- 2 cloves
garlic, minced
- 1 cup
whole milk
- 1/4 cup
crème fraîche (or full-fat sour cream)
- 1/2 cup
grated Gruyere (about 2 ounces)
- 3
eggs, beaten
- 2 teaspoons
thyme
Generous pinch nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon
freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the crust:
Butter a 9 x 1 inch tart pan with a removable bottom (can also use a 10-inch if that's what you have). Using a food processor, pulse together the cornmeal, flour and salt. Add the cubes of butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal (alternatively, you can use a pastry blender or your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients). Add ice water and pulse until the dough starts to look like wet sand. Test to see if it's done by gently squeezing a small piece between your fingers: you're looking for it to hold together and not crumble away. If it seems too crumbly, add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time.
Turn the dough out into a large bowl and mix in the millet using a fork — you want to work quickly here so as not to "cream" or stir the dough too much. Press the dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pan. Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour and up to one day.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the prepared crust on a small baking sheet for easy transport to and from the oven. Bake the crust for 15 minutes to slightly dry out the top so that it won't get soggy when you add the wet quiche mixture.
Prepare the filling:
Bring a large post of salted water to a boil and add the greens. Cook until just softened, about 2-3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon and transfer the greens to a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Remove from the cool water and, using your hands, squeeze as much water from them as possible and lay the greens out on good work surface. They tends to clump into balls when squeezed, so spend a few moments separating it and "declumping" the greens.
In a small sauté pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil and sauté the shallots until translucent, 2-3 minutes. Add in the garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, crème fraîche, Gruyere, eggs, herbs, salt and pepper.
Set the tart pan with prepared crust onto a baking sheet for easy transport. Spoon the shallot mixture on top of the prepared crust, followed by the cooked greens (arrange them evenly). Pour the custard mixture on top of the whole thing. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is completely set. Let cool for 15-20 minutes, unmold the tart and serve warm or room temperature.
Related: How to Make a Foolproof Quiche
(Images: Megan Gordon)
Filed in:
Baking
Bread
Casserole
Cheese
Eggs
greens
