Two Vegetarian Recipes: "Bruschetta with Roasted Peppers and Goat Cheese" ...
and "Flatbread with Caramelized Onions and Cheese." The first one is T&T - haven't tried the second one yet, but it's gotten great reviews. *Recipes follow.
I also have a great T&T recipe for Black Bean Patties with Cilantro and Lime. Will post if you're interested.
Some other vegetarian ideas: Indian vegetable fritters (especially carrot) and vegetable samosas. Also, vegetable quesadillas with mushrooms, beans, cheese, etc.
BRUSCHETTA WITH ROASTED PEPPERS AND GOAT CHEESE
INGREDIENTS:
2 large red sweet peppers
1 large yellow sweet pepper
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and black pepper, freshly ground
Fresh basil leaves, a generous amount, roughly torn or coarsely chopped
8 - 9 thick slices French baguette OR 8 - 9 thick slices country bread
3 - 4 large cloves garlic, peeled and cut in half
Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling, (optional)
5 1/2 ounces soft goat cheese, roughly chopped
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the broiler. Roast peppers on an unoiled baking sheet until they start to collapse and the skins blacken, about 15-20 minutes. Turn occasionally so they blacken on all sides. (Or roast them in a preheated oven at 375 F). When done, leave the broiler (or oven) on.
2. Transfer peppers to a bowl and cover with plastic to trap moisture, or put them in a closed paper bag and put the bag in a bowl to catch the leakage. Leave for about 15 minutes or until cool enough to handle.
3. Peel the peppers and remove the stem and seeds.
4. Cut the pepper flesh into strips and place in bowl. Mix in 4 Tbsp olive oil, salt, black pepper, and fresh basil.
5. Lightly toast bread on both sides under the broiler (or in the oven) until golden brown; should be browned on the edges, and lighter in the middle. ***If using the broiler to toast the bread, keep a close eye on it; it will brown fast, around 50 seconds or less per side.
6. Rub hot bread with the cut side of the garlic cloves.
7. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and a little olive oil, (optional) - (I omit this step).
8. Lay the sweet pepper/basil mixture on top and crumble the goat cheese over it.
9. Drizzle over a little more olive oil, (optional) - (I omit this step).
Adapted from my files.
FLATBREAD WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND CHEESE
"This is a very versatile dish from Bonnie Stern who has owned a cooking school in Toronto Canada for over 30 years. It can be served at a cocktail party, as an appetizer or as a main course with a side salad..."
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 large onions, chopped
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 lb frozen puff pastry (defrosted but cold)
6 ounces brie cheese, diced (rind removed)
6 ounces mild blue cheese, diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chervil or parsley
Heat oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add onions; cook until wilted & starting to brown. Add sugar, vinegar, salt & pepper.
Reduce heat & cook gently for 15- 25 minutes or until onions are caramelized & brown. Cool.
Roll pastry into a rectangle approximately 12 x 16 inches. "(I don't use the sheets of puff pastry - I prefer to use the 375gm package of Tenderflake Puff Pastry. I start rolling it out on my counter, then I transfer it to my baking tray (which has been lined with parchment paper) and roll the pastry to fit the tray. Since puff pastry is very "forgiving", you can "cut & paste" if necessary)."
Spread onions over pastry. Dot with cheese & sprinkle with chervil. (If you are preparing this for a party, you can prepare to this point and refrigerate- then bake later).
Bake in preheated 400F oven for 20- 25 minutes or until cheese has melted & pastry is crisp.
When removed from the oven, it will be puffed right up but allow it to cool for 5 minutes & it will fall back down. Cut into 20 serving pieces - this is easier done with kitchen scissors instead of a knife - then cut each piece in half diagonally.
40 triangles
from Bonnie Stern
posted at Recipezaar
