Experience the symphony of flavors with this Swiss Chard and Lamb Torte with Fennel-Pomegranate Relish. This delectable dish combines the earthy goodness of Swiss chard, the savory richness of ground lamb, and the aromatic sweetness of fennel and pomegranate. Each element is expertly crafted to create a harmonious balance of textures and tastes that will tantalize your palate.
The Swiss chard and lamb filling is a delightful mélange of sautéed chard, tender ground lamb, aromatic spices, and a touch of tangy lemon. Wrapped in a flaky homemade pastry dough, this savory filling bakes to perfection, resulting in a golden-brown torte that exudes an enticing aroma.
Accompanying the torte is a vibrant fennel-pomegranate relish, a refreshing and tangy condiment that adds a burst of flavor to every bite. The crunch of fennel, the sweetness of pomegranate, and the subtle heat of chili peppers create a delightful contrast to the richness of the torte.
This recipe also includes a step-by-step guide for making the flaky pastry dough from scratch, ensuring a perfectly crisp and golden crust. Additionally, it provides tips for selecting the best ingredients and offers suggestions for variations, such as using different greens or adding feta cheese to the filling.
With its vibrant colors, enticing aromas, and delectable flavors, this Swiss Chard and Lamb Torte with Fennel-Pomegranate Relish is a culinary masterpiece perfect for any special occasion. Prepare to indulge in a symphony of flavors that will leave your taste buds dancing with delight.
SWISS CHARD AND LAMB TORTE WITH FENNEL-POMEGRANATE RELISH
Festive dishes in Israel and throughout the Middle East often include rice and lamb. This magnificent recipe, topped with a bright pomegranate and fennel relish, is the Israeli chef Erez Komarovsky's twist on an ancient, labor-intensive classic of individual stuffed chard, cabbage or grape leaves, symbolizing the plenty of the fall harvest. It is perfect for Rosh Hashana or any seasonal holiday gathering. Make it with blanched Swiss chard, grape leaves or even cabbage or kale as the outer crust, and assemble it a day in advance. Then bake it and revel in the heightened flavors from the cardamom, cinnamon, fennel and mint; the crunch of pistachio; and the slight kick you get from the Mexican Serrano pepper now planted in Israel.
Provided by Joan Nathan
Categories dinner, grains and rice, meat, project, main course
Time 2h30m
Yield 10 to 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Prepare the torte: Place rice in a heat-proof bowl. Bring 3 cups water to a boil, pour over rice, and let stand uncovered for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil, and prepare an ice bath in a large bowl with ice cubes and cold water. Separate the bottom stems from the leaves of the Swiss chard, dicing the stems and setting aside. Blanch the leaves, in batches if necessary, by placing them in the boiling water for 20 seconds, then use tongs to transfer them to the ice bath. Drain the leaves and spread them out to dry in a single layer on paper towels.
- Heat a large pan over medium-high heat, add 1/4 cup olive oil and sauté onions and chopped chard stems, about 10 minutes, until soft and starting to brown. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Drain the rice and pour it into a large bowl. Add lamb, sautéed onion and chard stalks, pistachios, salt, pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel seeds, mint leaves and 1/4 cup olive oil and mix thoroughly.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Take a round Dutch oven or other heavy 10-inch round pot with a lid and coat it with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Line the pot with a layer of the Swiss chard leaves, with the bottom ends of the leaves protruding from the pot. (Ideally you'd have at least a 3-inch overhang.) Place the rice-meat stuffing in the pot and fold the overhanging leaves over the top of the filling. If necessary, layer additional leaves on top to completely enclose the filling.
- Place chicken stock in a small pan over high heat; when it's hot, pour it over the torte. Cover the pot and transfer to oven. Let torte bake for 30 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 275 degrees and continue cooking for about 1 hour more, or until rice is cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed. (You can carefully peel away a leaf to check the rice, replacing it after you've tasted.)
- Meanwhile, prepare the relish: Using a food processor, pulse fennel bulbs and Serrano pepper until finely chopped, being careful not to overprocess. Turn fennel and chile mixture out into a medium bowl and add lemon juice, pomegranate syrup, pomegranate seeds and salt and mix to combine. Stir in olive oil and adjust salt to taste. Just before serving, mix in the mint leaves.
- When torte is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes, covered. Run a sharp knife around the edge of the torte; cover with a flat, round serving platter; and invert the pot to remove the torte. Serve decorated with fennel fronds and garnished with fennel, pomegranate and mint relish.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 539, UnsaturatedFat 22 grams, Carbohydrate 54 grams, Fat 30 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 808 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams
BRAISED SPRING ONIONS, FENNEL AND SWISS CHARD
Steps:
- Coat a large saute pan with olive oil. Toss in the smashed garlic and crushed red pepper and bring the pan to a medium heat. When the garlic becomes golden brown and very aromatic, remove it from the pan and discard it. It has fulfilled its garlic destiny. Add the onions, fennel and Swiss chard stems, stir to coat with the oil and season with salt, to taste. Stir in the white wine and the lemon zest and juice. Cover and cook over medium heat until the veggies have become soft and wilted but still maintain some texture, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the lid and cook until most of the liquid has reduced, another 3 to 4 minutes. Toss in the Swiss chard leaves, stir to combine and season with salt, to taste. When the leaves have wilted but still look vibrantly green, taste for seasoning. Reseason if needed (it probably will). Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately.
- It's spring greens!
SWISS CHARD AND HERB TART
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 3h30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Make the crust: Put the flour, sugar and fine salt in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal. Add 2 tablespoons ice water and pulse until the dough just comes together, adding up to 2 more tablespoons ice water if needed. Transfer to a sheet of plastic wrap and pat into a disk; wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
- Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Roll out the dough into a 12-inch round on a floured surface. Ease into the prepared pan and press into the bottom and up the side; trim to make a 2-inch-high crust. Prick the bottom a few times with a fork; refrigerate 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the dough-lined pan on a baking sheet. Line the dough with foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the edges are just lightly golden, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and weights; continue baking until the crust is lightly golden all over, 15 to 20 more minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely. (The crust can be made a day ahead; cover and store at room temperature.)
- Make the filling: Thinly slice the Swiss chard leaves and cut the stems into 1/4-inch slices. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and chard stems, season with kosher salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and just beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add the dill and lemon zest and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add the chard leaves and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and pepper to taste. Let the filling cool, then squeeze out the excess moisture.
- Transfer the filling to a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the shredded cheddar, half-and-half, parmesan, egg and nutmeg. Pour into the crust and bake until set, 45 to 50 minutes. Top immediately with shaved cheddar and let melt. Serve warm or at room temperature.
TABBOULEH WITH APPLES, WALNUTS AND POMEGRANATES
This grain-free tabbouleh, a perfect side for a Passover meal, comes from chef Michael Solomonov of Zahav.
Provided by Joan Nathan
Categories easy, quick, salads and dressings
Time 15m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Mix the parsley, pomegranate seeds, apples and red onion in a medium bowl. Stir in the pepper or paprika, honey, lemon juice and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and mix thoroughly. If desired, at this point the mixture may be covered and refrigerated for up to two days.
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, stir the walnuts until toasted, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle the walnuts with a pinch salt and crush them with the side of a knife or in a mortar and pestle until they are in coarse pieces.
- Stir in the crushed walnuts. (If the tabbouleh has been refrigerated, set it out at room temperature for an hour before adding the walnuts.)
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 197, UnsaturatedFat 13 grams, Carbohydrate 14 grams, Fat 16 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 195 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams
CITRUS-CURED GRAVLAX WITH TOASTED FENNEL SEEDS
Provided by Joan Nathan
Categories appetizer
Time 10m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Rub Cointreau over flesh side of salmon. In a half-gallon zip-top plastic bag, combine sugar, salt and fennel. Add zests, thyme and bay leaf; mix well.
- Put salmon in bag, gently roll to coat, then press sugar-salt mixture into meat. Place plastic bag on a plate, put a weight on top (like a heavy skillet) and refrigerate overnight or for about 12 to 14 hours.
- When ready to serve, remove bag from refrigerator and thoroughly scrape off citrus-salt mixture, dabbing with a damp cloth if necessary. Before serving, slice gravlax paper-thin on a diagonal and serve on crackers, with a dollop of citrus crème fraîche with tarragon.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 206, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 20 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 12 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 243 milligrams, Sugar 18 grams
PLUM ALMOND TART
This beautiful plum tart, adapted from the pastry chef Alex Levin of Osteria Morini in Washington, brings together a sablé butter crust flavored with vanilla bean; colorful, juicy plum slices; and an almond cream filling with a lovely flavor that complements the fruit. Using confectioners' sugar in the crust gives you a texture that is finer and smoother than if you use granulated sugar. And the sugar in the crust and filling removes the need to sweeten the plums (which in turn means the fruit juices won't leach into the dough) - though you'll want to sprinkle a little turbinado sugar over the top for added crunch.
Provided by Joan Nathan
Categories pies and tarts, dessert
Time 1h30m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Make the crust: Combine butter or oil, confectioners' sugar, salt and vanilla bean seeds in a stand mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Increase speed to medium and beat for 1 minute more. Scrape down sides of bowl, add the egg and then the flour, and continue mixing until smooth. Remove dough from the bowl, wrap in plastic and refrigerate, about 1 hour, or until firm.
- Make the almond filling: Grind together the blanched almonds and flour in a food processor until they form a textured almond flour.
- Combine butter or oil, confectioners' sugar and salt in a stand mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Increase speed to medium and beat for 1 minute more. Scrape down sides of bowl, add egg and egg yolk, and continue mixing until mixture comes together and is homogeneous, about 2 minutes. Add almond mixture all at once, and mix until batter just comes together. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and set aside for 10 minutes. Knead dough to loosen it, then pat together into a ball again. On a well-floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12- to 13-inch round using a floured rolling pin. Quickly transfer dough to an 11-inch pie plate or tart shell, trimming the edges as needed. Place the lined shell in the freezer until frozen.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove shell from the freezer, line with parchment paper, and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake crust for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to color. Remove the weights and bake 5 minutes longer. Cool completely.
- While the crust cools, cut plums into 1/4-inch wedges.
- Using an offset spatula, spread cooled tart shell with the almond cream. Starting at the outside of the pan, arrange plums in a circle on top so all the pieces overlap. Turn plums the opposite way for the second circle. Fill the center with the remaining plums or another fruit if you wish.
- Sprinkle a few pinches of turbinado sugar over plums and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until almond cream is puffed and golden brown and the plums are softened.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 441, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 47 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 7 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 79 milligrams, Sugar 28 grams, TransFat 1 gram
BEET AND BARLEY SALAD WITH DATE-CITRUS VINAIGRETTE
Have fun with this early fall salad, meant for Rosh Hashana but festive throughout the season. Bitter and tart greens, like arugula, crunchy romaine and celery, pair well with shallots or red onion, dates, dried figs, a handful of multicolored olives and crisp, refreshing cucumbers. About a cup of cooked barley adds chew, but you could use lentils or chickpeas instead for more protein. If you can find them, heirloom varieties of barley add wonderful nutty complexity. Beets - used in ancient times more for the leaves than the roots - currants and green grapes lend color and sweetness, as well as a pomegranate, the symbol of fruitfulness by virtue of its many seeds. All these foods are symbolic of fertility, abundance, and prosperity in the New Year.
Provided by Joan Nathan
Categories salads and dressings, appetizer, main course, side dish
Time 1h30m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Wrap the beets individually in foil. Bake until tender when pierced with a fork, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. When cool enough to handle, peel the beets and cut into bite-size pieces.
- While the beets are roasting, make the barley: Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the barley and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, or until al dente.
- While the barley is cooking, make the salad dressing: Squeeze the juice from the lemon (about 2 tablespoons) into a small bowl. Add the garlic and date honey, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the olive oil and set aside.
- When the barley is cooked, drain, rinse and drain again. Taste, adding more salt, if necessary, and let cool completely.
- When ready to serve, use your hands to gently mix the lettuce and herbs in a large salad bowl and scatter on the barley, beets, celery, cucumbers, shallots, figs and grapes. Top with the olives, pomegranate seeds and feta, and sprinkle on the dressing. Mix at the table and serve immediately.
Tips:
- To save time, use pre-cooked or frozen lamb meatballs.
- If you don't have fennel pollen, you can substitute 1/4 teaspoon of anise seeds or 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Use a food processor to quickly and easily chop the vegetables for the relish.
- If you don't have pomegranate molasses, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice.
- Serve the torte with a side of yogurt or tzatziki sauce.
Conclusion:
This Swiss chard and lamb torte with fennel, pomegranate relish is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The combination of flavors and textures is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting recipe to try, give this torte a try. You won't be disappointed!
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