Asiago Beef Tart

I love simple recipes that are fancy enough for guests. To get a velvety texture in this tart, I use creme fraiche, but sour cream works, too.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet refrigerated pie crust
  • 3/4 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 2/3 cup shredded Asiago cheese
  • 1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • TOPPINGS:
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
  • Thinly sliced fresh basil, optional

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400°. On a work surface, unroll crust; roll to a 12-in. circle. Press crust onto bottom and up sides of an ungreased 11-in. tart pan with removable bottom. Refrigerate while preparing filling.
  • In a large skillet, cook beef and shallot over medium heat 5-7 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking up beef into crumbles. Remove from heat.
  • In a small bowl, whisk eggs, sour cream, salt and pepper until blended. Stir in cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, chopped basil and rosemary. Stir into beef mixture; pour into tart shell.
  • Bake on a lower oven rack 15-20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is set. Just before serving, add pine nuts and, if desired, basil.

Editor’s Note: To toast nuts, cook in a skillet over low heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 172 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 202mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 9g protein.