678. Breakfast Tarts

An Arty City - Montreal

   Street Art or Graffiti though mostly not legal in many countries, is art that is much appreciated by all. Its visual art created in public locations or places. Usually found on walls of buildings, sides of the highways, streets etc, usually in places where passers by can see it. It started as a form or way of expressing views on different matters to the public in general. Initially most artists used spray cans but today other medias are used like mosaic, stencil art, LED art, stickers, Lock ons (sculptures are attached to public furniture), wheat pasting used to make collages and papier mache. 

   When you walk around Montreal City you will notice some sort of creativity be it paintings on building walls, meaningful graffiti, different shaped benches, small gardens with blooming flowers, shop windows dressed to attract anyone, or even small balconies of apartments. People in Montreal are not afraid to express their artistic talents. I would have loved to share some of the photos I had taken but unfortunately my iPad stopped working and the only way to revive it was to lose some of my photos. I can kick myself for not storing them on iCloud or a pen drive. However, as they say we learn lessons the hard way. 

Laurier Avenue Montreal

Artistically hidden switch board

Street Art-Mont Royal - I was wearing a black and white top and hubby wanted me to blend in!Coming to today's post for the #FoodieMonday #Bloghop group, the 105th theme SavouryBaked Dish was chosen by a new member of our group Sasmita who blogs at First Timer Cook. A young housewife, who had no idea about cooking before marriage, 

dishes out some lip sacking recipes.

      It would have been easy for me to bake a bread which I had in mind initially. However, I have only 2 weeks here in Montreal :( :( :( and  I have to start clearing the pantry and fridge. Some of the spices, lentils, rice etc my son will use but certainly not a frozen puff pastry. So shelved the bread idea and used up the ready made frozen pastry to make a delicious, filling breakfast. The idea was stuck in my head since I saw an advertisement for Jus Rolls (puff pastry). The pastry squares had an egg on it, all baked, but I added my own filling to make it more wholesome.

     

     So here's the recipe. Whereas ready made puff pastry is available in most countries including Kenya, I have find it difficult to source it in India. Anyone knows where I can buy it in Mumbai or Bangalore?

BREAKFAST TARTS

Makes 4

200g ready rolled puff pastry

8-10 mushrooms, sliced

1 cup roughly chopped spinach

8-10 cherry tomatoes or 1 large tomato

¼ cup chopped spring onion

4 eggs
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to season

1. Let the frozen pastry thaw at room temperature till its workable. Don't leave it out too long otherwise it will go all soft and will be sticky to work with.
2. If the pastry is rolled as one sheet, you will need to cut it into 4 equal parts.
3. Take one square and cut thin strips from it from all 4 sides... so you should have four strips.
4. Brush the edges of the square with water.
5. Gently press the strip on each side of the square.
6. Place the ready square on a parchment lined baking tray.
7. Repeat steps 4-7 with the remaining squares.
8. Place the tray with the squares in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
9. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
10. If you are using cherry tomatoes, cut them into half or cut a large tomato into dices.
11. Bake the pastry squares in the oven for 15 minutes.
12. Take the tray out of the oven.
13. Gently press the puffed up middle with the back of a spoon. This will create a nice depression or nest.
14. Arrange spinach equally on all 4 squares.
15. Top it with mushroom slices. Leave some space in the middle for the egg.
16. Gently break an egg and put it over the vegetables. Do this for all the squares.
17. Top it with the tomatoes.
18. Sprinkle some salt and pepper.
19. Bake the tarts for 20 minutes or till the egg is done and the pastry is light golden colour.
20. Sprinkle the spring onion and parmesan cheese over the tarts and serve with your favourite sauce or sprinkle some chilli flakes over it.

Tips:

• If you buy the ready rolled pastry don't be tempted to make it thinner otherwise you will not get nice layers on baking.
• Once thawed, the pastry should not be frozen again.
• If you find that its difficult to handle the soft pastry put it back in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. Also if it sticks a little, dust the worktop with flour.
• Use a filling of your choice. 

You may want to check out my other baked savoury dishes:

baked veg empanadas

Paneer and Mushroom Enchiladas

Handvo

spinach mushroom pies

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