Ingredients for Basket Filling (peas):
1 lb. frozen peas
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine
1 tsp. sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
3 Tablespoons whipping cream
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Ingredients for Cheese Pastry:
1 ½ c. all-purpose flour
Pinch of dry mustard powder
3 Tablespoons butter or margarine, diced
3 Tablespoons vegetable shortening
¾ c. grated cheddar cheese
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
3-4 Tablespoons cold water
Method:
1. First make the cheese pastry: sift together the flour, mustard and a pinch of salt. Cut in the butter using Baker's Secret 1109831 Pastry Blender
2. Mix the tomato paste and 3 Tablespoons of water together. Add it to the flour mixture. Gradually stir together and add a bit more water if needed. Shape into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap and put in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes. Take a break and do something else…
3. Place the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll out thinly can cut into rounds with a 3-inch pastry cutter. Line 12 tartlet pans – you can use mini muffin pans but I like the look of the tarts when I use the Nordic Ware Platinum Nonstick Cast Aluminum Tartlette Pan
4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
5. Combine the frozen peas, butter and sugar in a saucepan. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes or until tender. Remove half the peas with a slotted spoon and reserve for the garnish. Puree the remaining peas in a blender or press through a strainer, and then stir in the cream and nutmeg.
6. Bake the tarts and pastry strips for 10-12 minutes, until they are golden. Prick the tarts again during cooking if they begin to rise in the center. Take out of the oven.
7. While they are cooking reheat the pea puree over low heat, then spoon it into the tarts and cover with the reserved peas.
8. Arrange the horseshoe shapes in the tarts as “handles” for the baskets – serve immediately.
Yield: Makes 12 baskets!
My favorite rolling pin – makes all the difference when you can get the right thickness to your pastries
Enjoy Thanksgiving with your family and friends – if you invite someone to share your dinner and they offer to bring something – let them! It makes it easier for you, and they feel like they are contributing – so it is a win-win for all!
For ruffled edges to your baskets use ChefLand Round Biscuit Cutters, Set of 3