Monday 18 October 2010

Easy peacy chicken tart

How are you all doing? Been a while isn't it? Well I have just been super duper busy with something or the other and must say I'm not complaining. Except that I haven't had the time to hit the gym and that's not something I'd like to get used to. I also haven't really had time to visit your blogs as much as I'd like and I apologise for the same. 
This tart is really the easiest to make if you have the base ready. And by ready I mean store bought. Yes, my dilemma about not being able to roll out dough continues and the one time I tried, I ended up with a torn dough and then tried to mend it with some more dough and altogether it wasn't a pretty scene. That's when I discovered the savoury tart cases at Sainsburys...neat! I shall however give you the recipe for the base, just in case you might be interested:) (of course you will be, because not everyones handicap like me when it comes to rolling dough)
So here goes, a Sunday brunch favourite of ours.

For the tart base:
Plain flour- 200gms
Chilled butter- 100 gms
Baking powder- 1/4 tsp
Egg- 1, beaten
Ice cold water- a few drops
Salt- to taste
For the filling:
Chicken breasts- 2 medium sized (approx 200 to 250 gms), cleaned and diced into small pieces
Pepper powder- 1 tsp
Salt- to taste
Paprika- to taste (optional)
Onion- 1, roughly chopped
Tomato- 1, roughly chopped + 1 for decoration if required
Frozen green peas- 1/4 cup
Milk- 1/2 cup
Eggs- 2
Salt and pepper- to taste
Cheddar cheese- enough to sprinkle on top
Oil- 1/2 tbsp
To make the tart shell, mix the butter along with the flour, baking powder and salt till it resembles a coarse mix.
Add the egg and the water as required and mix till it forms a dough.
Knead for about 5 minutes and then roll it out, a little larger than your tart tin and carefully place it inside with the edges coming up a bit. Press it down well and cut off the extras.
Poke the dough with a fork in a few places and bake in an oven preheated to 170C for about 10 minutes. Ideally you fill it with baking beans when you do so, but I didn't have any, so baked it as it is.

While that's taken care of, make the filling.
Boil the chicken with salt and pepper and paprika (if using) till it is cooked. If the pieces are large, shred them. Keep aside
In a frying pan, heat the oil and saute onions and tomatoes till they are slightly cooked. You don't need it to brown or release oil or anything.
Add the cooked chicken, green peas and mix it all together. Check for seasoning and add as required.
Keep aside to cool for a while.
Beat the eggs and the milk together and season well with salt and peppah!

Assembling:
Once the tart base is pre-cooked. Take it out of the oven and fill it with the chicken mix. Try not to stuff too much in. Its ok if you have leftover chicken, I used it for a sandwich :)
Pour the egg mix into the tin, on top of the chicken. Try and get it as even as possible. Again, big deal if its not...being rustic is a charm I'd try and work on :)
Sprinkle enough cheese on top, arrange a few sliced tomatoes on top and bake at 170C for 20 to 25 minutes, or till it is slightly firm.
Once done, cool on a rack for 5 minutes, and carefully remove it onto a chopping board. I didn't want to slice them in the tin because for one, mine was a brand new non stick tart pan and two, its a bit difficult to get it out without creating a mess, for me that is!
Do do whatever suits you. Slice them in wedges and serve with a salad. I'd say brunch is ready.
Notes: You can really do any filling of your choice. I once did a mushroom and chicken mix. I'm sure paneer would be a great option as well.
I pre-cooked the tart base because the first time I made this, I thought the base was a bit undercooked and all doughy!
If you want to Indianise it, add a dash of meat masala while boiling the chicken.
You can freeze it and it would definitely last a week or if you just refrigerate it, definitely for 3 days. Its a perfect make- ahead breakfast item.
The above measurements fill two tart cases of that size, but the base recipe is just for a large 9 inch tart.


PS: All you guys who wrote in asking for the icing recipes and tips on cupcake decorating, I shall definitely get down to it once I bake and decorate something on my own first. Thanks a lot for those beautiful comments as well. You guys made my day. Hugs { }

42 comments:

Satrupa said...

Looks yumm ........ love the clicks. Speaks volumes about how good it would have tasted.

Cheers n Happy Cooking,
Satrupa

http://satrupa-foodforthought.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

That looks super beautiful and super easy with store bought base!beautiful clicks!

Suji said...

Nisha..Tart looks yummy and i too love that we get pre made tart cases..

Yours Truly said...

i needed an inspiration for the week and this should be a good comfort food! great pix!

GB said...

Don't know how I missed the cupcake post! They look good enought to eat (!!) So does the chicken tart...mushrooms and chicken sounds even better!

:)

aipi said...

Beautifully done..looks fantastic!

US Masala

Suhaina said...

these tarts look stunning.. i am drooling here.. wonderful clicks and well explained..great job.

Unknown said...

Perfect chicken tarts...looks so tempting

Nitha said...

Those are real tempting clicks....

Rachel said...

Now that isn't easy peasy to me... your pie is a looker!

Asha said...

That looks really yummy.........

Satya said...

tart looks very delicious ...

Satya
http://www.superyummyrecipes.com

Monet said...

I love meals like this that can be served breakfast, lunch and dinner. I've missed seeing you, but I understand how busy life can get. Thanks for sharing. This looks like exactly what I need right now.

Foodie Ann said...

wow..Nisha they look beautiful....:)

Priya Suresh said...

Fantastic looking tart, i dont bother to have some rite now..irresistible!

Priya's Easy N Tasty Recipes

delphcotecuisine said...

yummy yummy and yummy
lovely and delicious blog too

bises from France
Delphine

Anonymous said...

Yum Yum Yum!!!

Jaisy James said...

wow looks yummy

vrinda said...

Gorgeous looking tart..lov it

abraham said...

for a change... a new comfort food.. abraham www.chackoskitchen.com

Unknown said...

Nisha, they look just too beautiful to eat, love ur presentation and click as always :)

Torviewtoronto said...

an award for you
http://torviewtoronto.blogspot.com/p/awards-and-publications.html

love the picture looks delicious

Hayley said...

tart looks superb...chicken lovers will be very happy to see this pics:)

Nisha said...

Thanks for dropping by , loved reading your posts . Will be back again soon :)

Sreelekha Sumesh said...

Tempting tart.Looks so beautiful!

Lawyer Loves Lunch said...

I am loving all these pizza recipes! I'm so glad yours is a meat based one since I don't think a purely veggie one would fly in our house :)

Unknown said...

What an easy and yummy dish! loved the ingredients used to make it more delicious..

Unknown said...

WOW!! Gorgeous pics!! Bet it would have tasted so very delicious..

Binys Recipes said...

gr8 site....new here ...site looking good...the recipes speak of skillful hands....the decorations on the cakes exhibit an artist in a chef....take care.
Keep blogging for me.
Biny.

sweet artichoke said...

Pictures are gorgeous!
Mr Artichoke would love this tart!!

Koek! said...

Oh this looks delicious. Perfect week-night fair. Thanks!
Robyn x

J said...

I've tried store bought tarts and hated them! I must try making my own tarts...I'd love to try spicy Indian version.

Sarah Naveen said...

wonderful clicks...love all ur pics..
mm...tart looks delicious..

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

Lovd d gorgeous color...nice creation..
do drop in at my space sometime...

Tasty Appetite

Namitha said...

That's a lovely savory tart..would definitely make a great brunch :-)

Sarah, Maison Cupcake said...

That looks great! Really pretty photos too.

Pushpa said...

Chicken tart looks super duper delicious..

Pushpa @ simplehomefood.com

PreeOccupied said...

That chicken tart is such a needed thing in this weather. Warm, fuzzy and loaded with flavors. Must make.

Soma said...

This is gorgeous with some wonderful photographs!

Soumya said...

wow...super delicious...mouth watering

Sandhya Hariharan said...

The tart is super delicious.. tat interests me to try a tart.. but with a veggie filling

saira said...

hey..we got a new microwave and the 1st thing we attempted was this one.. i even made the tart base came out well.. thank u for sharing! :)