November’s Kitchen Introduction
Welcome back to our kitchen where the calendar pages have flipped to November, and our “November Nibbles” series continues to celebrate the heartier side of fall. As the air gets crisper, our cravings turn to the comforting embrace of baked goods, rich with the season’s harvest. This third installment brings you two quintessential November tarts, each a savory canvas showcasing the depth and complexity of autumn’s palette. Let’s roll out the dough and fill our homes with the aromatic bliss that only baking can bestow, as “November’s kitchen” becomes our collective hearth for culinary creativity.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.
In the spirit of seasonal cooking, our focus shifts to the humble yet majestic tart—a dish that offers endless possibilities for showcasing fall produce. Whether it’s the savory sweetness of caramelized onions melding with the robust flavor of Gruyère cheese or the earthy tones of butternut squash accented with sage, these recipes are testaments to November’s abundance. Join us as we delve into the craft of tart making, balancing traditional techniques with flavors that resonate with the here and now of November’s kitchen.
As the season changes, our kitchen becomes a haven for culinary creativity, marrying the comforting flavors of the past with innovative new takes. This month’s journey through flavor invites you to explore time-honored favorites with a twist of your own. Whether it’s choosing the perfect blend of cheeses or mastering the art of caramelizing onions, every step is an opportunity to craft a dish that embodies the spirit of November’s kitchen. With these tarts, we embrace the heart of autumn, creating comforting and celebratory fare that honors the generous harvest of the season.
Caramelized Onion and Gruyère Cheese Tart: A Homage to November’s Kitchen
In the heart of November’s kitchen lies a dish that captures the warmth and richness of the season—Caramelized Onion and Gruyère Cheese Tart by Skinny Spatula. This tart, with its golden, flaky crust and sweetly savory filling, is the perfect addition to your fall table. Whether you’re gathering for a family brunch or seeking a comforting dinner, it’s a testament to the versatility and heartiness of November’s offerings.
Serving Information:
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 8
Equipment Needed:
- 23 cm (9-inch) tart tin
- Baking paper
- Baking beans
- Frying pan
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients:
- 320 g (12 oz) shortcrust pastry (pie crust)
- 3 large onions, sliced
- 60 g (½ stick) butter
- 200 ml (1 cup) double cream (heavy cream)
- 3 large eggs
- 100 g (3.5 oz) gruyere cheese, grated
- 25 g (1 oz) Parmesan, grated
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 190C/375F. Line the tart tin with the pastry sheet.
- Line the pastry with baking paper, add baking beans, and blind bake for 15 minutes. Remove the beans and paper and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onions, reduce to low heat, and caramelize for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, gruyère, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine caramelized onions with the egg mixture, pour into the tart case, and sprinkle with Parmesan.
- Bake for 25 minutes until set and golden. Cool for five minutes before slicing.
As you savor the meltingly tender onions paired with the nuttiness of Gruyère, let this tart take you on a sensory excursion through November’s kitchen. Each slice serves not just a meal, but an experience—a blend of simplicity and sophistication that is the hallmark of our November Nibbles series.
Butternut Squash and Sage Tart: A November’s Kitchen Delicacy
November’s kitchen wouldn’t be complete without the sweet and earthy flavors of butternut squash. This Butternut Squash and Sage Tart by Epicurious brings out the best of this fall favorite, making for a dish that’s as visually stunning as it is delectable. With a honey-chile glaze and crispy sage, this tart is a celebration of November’s bountiful harvest.
Serving Information:
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes (plus thawing time for puff pastry)
- Cooking Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour
- Servings: 8
Equipment Needed:
- Large rimmed baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Small saucepan
- Skillet
- Paper towels
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tsp water
- 12 1/8″-thick rounds peeled butternut squash
- Kosher salt
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 Fresno, jalapeño, or red Thai chile, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 12 fresh sage leaves
- 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan
- Black pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out puff pastry on a floured surface, transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment.
- Brush pastry with egg wash, arrange squash rounds on top, cover with parchment, and place another baking sheet on top.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the top baking sheet and parchment, brush squash with 1 tbsp olive oil, season with salt, and bake for 25-30 minutes more.
- For the glaze, boil honey, chile, and water in a saucepan until syrupy (about 6 minutes).
- For the sage, heat remaining oil in a skillet and fry sage leaves until crisp.
- Top the baked tart with Parmesan, drizzle with chile-honey, garnish with sage, and season with black pepper.
With its flaky crust and layers of flavor, this Butternut Squash and Sage Tart is a savory tribute to November’s kitchen. It stands as proof that simple ingredients, when combined thoughtfully, create dishes that are anything but ordinary, echoing the essence of our November Nibbles collection.
November’s Kitchen Conclusion
As we wrap up this November’s Kitchen post in our November’s Nibbles series, we reflect on the warmth and richness that these tarts bring to our tables. The golden hues of the caramelized onions and the vibrant squash mirror the fall landscape outside our windows, providing a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. It’s not just a meal; it’s a moment captured in flavor, a cozy embrace from the kitchen as the days grow shorter and the nights longer.
The joy of cooking these tarts is more than the sum of their parts; it’s the process of transformation and the satisfaction of sharing. Each ingredient, from the robust Gruyère to the earthy sage, plays its role in creating a symphony of tastes that resonate with the soul of the season. It’s about more than just sustenance; it’s about creating memories around the dinner table, where laughter and stories are shared with every slice served.
Missed the first two posts? Check them out below!
November Baking Bliss Part 1: Indulging in Pumpkin Spice and Caramel Apple Treats
As we savor the delightful flavors and comforting warmth of our savory tarts, we also eagerly anticipate what’s next in our culinary adventure. Don’t miss the last post of our November Nibbles series next week, where we’ll be turning the page to one of the most cherished traditions of this festive month – Thanksgiving leftovers!
We’re all familiar with the challenge of figuring out what to do with the abundance of leftovers after Thanksgiving. Next week, we’ll be transforming these remnants into dishes that could easily steal the spotlight from the holiday meal itself. Get ready for our Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Ramen – a creative and soul-warming way to give your turkey a delicious makeover. Imagine those tender slices of turkey swimming in a savory broth, alongside perfectly cooked noodles, all coming together for a post-Thanksgiving comfort meal.
And for those who love a bit of French flair in their cuisine, our Savory Crêpes with Thanksgiving Turkey and Stuffing, topped with a tangy cranberry sauce, will be an absolute game-changer. These crêpes will not only be a delight for your taste buds but also a wonderful way to reimagine the traditional Thanksgiving flavors.
So, keep your aprons ready and your palates eager. We can’t wait to share these innovative and mouth-watering recipes with you. Join us next week as we wrap up the November Nibbles series with a bang, celebrating the joy of Thanksgiving and the creative possibilities that come with leftovers. See you then for more culinary exploration in November’s Kitchen!
xoxo,
Leave a Reply