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| So, I was a bit indulgent and bought my 1 year old an apron for Christmas. What's the big deal? A girl can dream, right? |
Oh, this girl makes my day, everyday. She's so darn cute. I think Mace and I say this at least 47 times a day. She really made my Christmas too.
Its so fun to experience everything through a child's eye again...it makes you remember just how cool life really is. My train of thought these last couple weeks has been about slowing down and living in every moment. I watch Anna and the only thing she knows how to do is live in the moment. She doesn't have an agenda for the day, she doesn't worry about the time, she doesn't focus on how many things she needs to try and cram into her day in order to feel like she's accomplished something at the end of the day. She focuses solely on what is right in front of her. She reads a book, then she sees her piano and plays a tune, she gives me a hug, she smiles and she's off again to harass the dog and eat her lunch that she threw on the floor. She's happy and she's content.
I want to live this way. I want to focus only on those things in my present environment. I want to stare into my husband's eyes and talk about our days and not worry about cleaning up the kitchen. I want to sit on the floor and play with my daughter and not get distracted by my email or all the dog fur piling up in the corners (oh, but there's so much). This is my resolution for 2012. Slow down. Enjoy this day, this hour, this moment.
I do feel this way sometimes already. I feel this way in the kitchen. I never think about anything else I so urgently need to do when I am chopping vegetables or kneading dough or lovingly decorating a cake for somebody-I-love's birthday. When I am in the kitchen I am in a world that is solely mine and I am pouring love and joy and creativity into food. Delicious dishes that will nourish the people closest to my heart.
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On Christmas Eve I made dinner for my family and dear friends and poured the love on thick. I made a spinach and mushroom tart that my mom-in-law raved about for days. I was proud of this meal and sat back to enjoy our evening, and basking in each moment we spent together. I hope you were able to pour some love out in your own little way to those you adore this holiday season. It's a few days late, but Happy New Year!
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PRINT THIS RECIPE!!
Mushroom, Spinach & Goat Cheese Tart
Serves 6-8
Crust
Adapted from Simply Recipes
2 1/2 (350 grams) cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, frozen (see note), cut into 1/2" cubes
6-8 tbsp ice water
*note: this crust turns out the best if you freeze the cut-up butter for at least 20 minutes prior to using.
Filling
1 lb (16 oz) Mushrooms, sliced (I used mini portobellos, but cremini or any field mushroom would work too)
1/2 Red onion, chopped
4 Cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb (16 oz) Spinach, blanched or thawed frozen, and wrung dry (see tip here)
10 oz Goat cheese
Salt & Pepper to taste
To make the crust: add flour, salt and sugar in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter 1/3 at a time until incorporated and it looks gravelly. Slowly add ice water a tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together when pinched. You may not need the entire 4 tbsp. Remove the dough from the food processor and knead gently until the dough comes together in a cohesive ball. Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.
To make the filling: Preheat oven to 425F. Combine mushrooms, onion and garlic and toss with olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Spread on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and coated with cooking spray. Roast mushrooms in the oven for 20 minutes, or until softened.
In a large bowl combine the hot mushrooms, spinach and 8 oz (1 cup) of goat cheese. Stir to combine. The hot mushrooms will aid in melting the goat cheese and will help evenly combine all the ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
On a well floured counter or pastry mat, roll the crust dough into a 14-inch circle. Gently, fold the pastry in half and move to a pizza pan covered with parchment paper, then unfold. Cover the dough within an inch of the edge with the mushroom and spinach mixture. Top with the remaining 2 oz of goat cheese. Fold the edges of the dough inwards to create a free-form tart.
Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and flaky. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then slice into 8 wedges and...
Eat it!!
Your last few posts have me wishing I could tolerate mushrooms...though this one would probably be just as good without! P.S. - we got Finn a baker's costume...
ReplyDeleteI am going to make this over the weekend Maggie. Loved this blog and the reminder to live in the moment. There is nothing like cooking a pot of soup to keep your mind calm and present.
ReplyDeleteLove you- Mama
Beautiful sentiments, Maggie! We could all learn something about how to live from Anna and you. :) Kate
ReplyDeleteThe tart looks amazing - really, REALLY amazing! ...and your daughter is so adorable - I can see how she makes every single day for you!
ReplyDeleteI have to completely agree with Ann..your tart look absolutely stunning and so tasty! And photo of you are your daughter is priceless..very cute girl you have there!!!Have a wonderful 2012!!!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is so ridiculously cute. I love that you bought her an apron! So adorable. This tart looks sooo delicious. I'm a big spinach fan, especially when there's cheese involved with that spinach! I can see why your mother-in-law raved about it so much.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! She IS so cute!! The funny thing is, I almost bought one for my daughter (21months)! And your galette looks perfect, that crust looks amaaaaazing. Beautiful job :)
ReplyDeleteOh my, you two are so adorable! ( swoon ) I love this post! Oh, about the tart - you know I have everything on hand and I will be making it today, right? :) Hugs to both of you!
ReplyDeleteWow, that tart makes me drool uncontrollably! All my favorite tart ingredients in one :)
ReplyDeleteAnd you two are such a pair of cuties!
Your daughter is adorable - LOVE the apron! :) I love goat cheese, and with mushrooms and spinach, this would be divine. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt's almost like a cross between a pie and a pizza--it looks delicious and I'm sure it was much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteCute wee apron and lovely rustic looking tart. Delightful as ever!
ReplyDeleteGood words, in this busy world we do need to slow down and live in the moment, Your daughter is just adorable!
ReplyDeleteThis tart does look incredible, that flaky crust packed with all those veggies and goat cheese. Understandable why your mother in law is raving over it-yum!
Yum! I love goat cheese. Your tart looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteOMG that little girl in that little apron is the cutest!
ReplyDeleteThis looks DIVINE! Oh, and my kids have been baking/cooking w/ me since they could hold a spoon - so you're little one (gosh, it's been a while since mine were this irresistably CUTE) is well on the way! If you let her "help" now, she'll be whipping up galettes by the time she is in Kindergarten, and everybody will be like "WOW, your daughter is SO accomplished!" :)
ReplyDeleteI love her little apron! Life goes by to quick it's nice to just enjoy your loved ones! My little one lives every day to the fullest as well and no matter how tired I may be or how cranky he is with just a little smile he makes my day. Enjoy the New Year!
ReplyDeleteWonderful tart! I agree, having kids is like a re-do on life. You get to enjoy all of the simple things again when you see the world through their eyes. Although I'm not big on new years resolutions, I think yours is certainly one to live by. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI have the goat cheese and spinach - I just have to pick up some mushrooms! This sounds so delicious!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is adorable! I love the apron too...that is something that I would totally do if I have a daughter some day. As for your tart - it looks amazing! Anything with goat cheese is a winner in my book. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year :)
ReplyDeleteyou're daughter is adorable with the apron :) I agree it is wonderful seeing things through kids eyes again, I loved christmas with my 1 year old nieces :)
ReplyDeleteand your tart looks amazing...goat cheese and spinach are my favorites although I would have to find something to replace the mushrooms.
What a tasty looking crostata!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious. I am adding it to my recipe collection!
ReplyDeletethis is perfect for my next girls get together!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good. I love that you bought her an apron. Totally adorable. You have a great view on things, it's good to take stock and slow the pace a bit. Kids are great at teaching us that.
ReplyDeleteI could curl up with that tart and eat the whole thing myself. Mushrooms and spinach take me back to a casserole my mom made when I was little. Now I love it in any form. The goat cheese is pure deliciousness, like the cherry on top.
ReplyDeleteYou have an adorable little girl. What a cutie in that apron. My little girl has one, too. All foodies kids should!!
I am a fan of anything with goat cheese and this tart is no exception!
ReplyDeleteMushroom and goats cheese. spinach. these are some of my favorite things to put in a pie :-).
ReplyDeleteThis tart sounds amazing! I am loving all of the ingredients and it is so elegant! Hope your weekend was wonderful :)!
ReplyDeleteShe is a little you....so adorable! The tart looks delish. Spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese are three of my absolute favorite foods...yum!
ReplyDeleteYum yum yum, I want this now!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so yummy! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
ReplyDeleteI'm literally drooling. Don't tell anyone.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I loooove mushrooms, and recently learned we love goat cheese too! When he returns from a trip I'll be making this. It looks divine!
ReplyDeleteAudrey