Thursday, May 19, 2011

Tortino di Fagiolini - Green Bean Tart



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I'm not an extravagant person. I've known for years that the dream of the house on the hill is far sweeter than its acquisition and I'll never forget the lessons learned in the Italian kitchen of my childhood. While not an asetic, Mrs S. really believed that men were as rich as the things they could live without and she practiced what she preached. Some of it must have rubbed off on me. My consumer gene is quieter than most, but I occasionally stumble on something that awakens the shopper in me. That happened this morning as I was browsing through the wonderfully shameless first edition of Ruth Reichl's new venture, Gilt Taste. It's a high end catalog that features hard-to-find and artisanal food, as well as some wonderful recipes and great food writing. I was a bit poorer by the time I finished my breakfast coffee and could envision the look of disapproval Mrs. S would have given me. It also set me to thinking about the other lessons I learned while sitting at her table. She was a wonderful cook and had a natural gift for combining unusual ingredients in a way that would make a singular and scrumptious dish. One that I remembered was a frittata made with cheese and green beans. I had never been able to duplicate it, but I recently came across a very similar dish in the Los Angeles Times and decided to try it for our dinner tonight. Mrs. S. would have been pleased and I think that those of you who try this will find it very interesting. It is fairly simple to do and would make a wonderful entree for lunch or a light supper. If you are looking for meatless entrees I really think you'll like this. Here's the recipe.

Tortino di Fagiolini - Green Bean Tart...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of Noelle Carter, Los Angles Times

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds green beans, cleaned
Salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 red onion, sliced into thin strips
1 small garlic clove, chopped
5 eggs
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/4 cup milk
Freshly ground pepper
1 cup ciabatta crumbs

Directions:
1) Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Add green beans and boil just until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain beans, and immediately shock them in a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. When beans are just cool, drain again. Coarsely chop beans into pieces approximately 1-1/2 inches in length and place in a large bowl.
2) In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium high heat until hot. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent and begin to color, 8 to 10 minutes.
3) Stir in chopped garlic and continue to cook until onion is caramelized, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove pan from heat and cool slightly, then toss onions and garlic with green beans.
4) Meanwhile, make egg base: In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, Parmigiano-Reggiano, milk, one-fourth teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper.
5) Stir egg base in with the beans and onion mixture.
6) Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare pan: Completely line a 9-inch springform pan with foil, and grease foil.
7) Pour bean mixture into pan and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake until set (it should barely jiggle, and a knife inserted will come out clean), 30 to 40 minutes. Remove and cool tortino, still in pan, on a rack.
8) When tortino is cool, cover pan and refrigerate it until chilled (chilling tortino will make it easier to slice). Serve cold or at room temperature. Yield: 6 servings.








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Two Years Ago Today: Potato Gratin a la Flamande








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Asparagus and Smoked Salmon Frittata - Dishing Up Delights
Smoked Trout and Leek Frittata - Food Glorious Food
Spinach Tomato and Feta Frittata - The Unconfidental Cook
Brie Bacon and Spinach Omelet - Food Glorious Food
Empty Fridge Frittata - London Foodie in New York
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81 comments :

Faith said...

Yum! I went out to Lone Pine farms today and they had some gorgeous greenbeans that would be great for this! Hope you enjoyed the sunshine today!!!

Red Nomad OZ said...

So great that Mrs S' Italian philosophy comes to me downunder here in OZ via the USA. She's right - the more one owns, the more worries one has!!

And I'm salivating over today's dish - it looks sensational, and I bet it tastes the same!!

Anonymous said...

How pretty! I like the side look of all those green beans. Yum!

Tanna said...

The sharp green circles of the green beans are so pretty in this dish! Mary, you come up with some very interesting recipes! I am sure I would love this one.

Sounds like you learned some vlauable lessons from a very wise woman. blessings ~ tanna

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tart! I love green beans, they look so sophisticated in this dish :)

Becky said...

Mary, that tart looks so beautiful with the slices of beans. I will put this on the list to try.

I have reached the 5 year anniversary of my blog. If you get a chance, pop over and register for my giveaway!

Becky

JCF said...

:( I will never be able to cook something like this.

Susan said...

Hi, Mary! I would like to give you Awards Galore which is 8-in-1. You can pick it up on my blog: http://www.createamazingmeals.com/2011/05/awards-galore.html
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a yummy way to make beans more exciting! Love this, thanks so much for sharing this, Mary! :)

I'm also loving the two archived recipes for this day, they're all going in to my recipe book.

Anonymous said...

What a great, tasty idea and I love the crumble on top.
:-) Mandy

Banana Wonder said...

mmmm love the sound of this tart! simple yet perfect for a spring lunch. i love the cross section that slice as well :-)

Lenia said...

We are pleased too,dear Mary!This tart looks really perfedt!Such a fine recipe!Have a great day:)

Priya Suresh said...

Never had this yummy tart, looks super catchy and pretty..

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

Hello Mary! Wow this looks not only tasty but beautiful too. I appreciate the food when we can see the hard work you put in.. green bean lining up very nicely! Very creative!

Nammi said...

have to agree wit you mary, the simpler the food the better they taste :)

Anonymous said...

I love the philosophy in your post! Have a bountiful day :)

Ruth said...

This looks fantastic, and I always love reading your posts!

Three-Cookies said...

Looks interesting, especially seeing the cross-section of the beans!

Ambreen (Simply Sweet n Savory) said...

Sounds wonderful! Delicious & beautiful looking tart.

Silvia said...

Una tarta salada riquísima.

Besos.

Khadija El Mary said...

This tart looks amazing, so elegantly sliced, and with those lovely circle green beans, it's fabulous! Have a wonderful sunny day Mary!
Cheers,

Melynda@Scratch Made Food! said...

Interesting, I would of never thought to put this together, but cannot wait to try it. It is perfect for take to work lunches also. Thanks Mary.

The Blonde Duck said...

That look awesome!

Sue said...

This sounds wonderful and I love how it looks!

The Harried Cook said...

That looks gorgeous, Mary! I love how the sliced beans look in that wedge of tart... Beautiful! A great meat-free main! Thank you for sharing!

Clint said...

It has been said that not every painting is a masterpiece. In your case, Mary, that is not true.

Cooking Creation said...

This is a recipe that my mother would go crazy over! It sounds delicious :)

Karen Harris said...

This looks delicious especially with the crumbly topping. I am a huge tart and quiche lover.

safire said...

This looks amazing! The slices of green beans look like studded jewelry!

Kim said...

Wow what an amazing look on this tart. Plus, it looks so good, so spring perfect!

Ana Rita Marreiros said...

Perfect tart and deliciously looking!

Kisses,
Rita

Unknown said...

I love how you worked your way into this recipe...great little story :) And the tart sounds different then any tarts I've had before..it looks incredible!!

Linda Starr said...

I never would have thought of green beans in a tart and I love the way the sliced beans show in the slice of the tart, so beautiful and scrumptious looking at the same time.

cocoa and coconut said...

You must be pleased that you've come close to her original recipe! Your version looks so incredible - the image of showing the beans is just so impressive. I can't wait to make this.

Receitas para a Felicidade said...

Hummm, Yumy Mary, i love that recipe looks so good, thank you for sharing,

kisses

Faith said...

The cross section view of this tart is really beautiful! What a lovely, unique tart this is!

PeggyR said...

Oh my that sounds really good!

Young Adventures... said...

You always have such delicious recipes to share Mary! This was a good reminder for me to make sure I get some of my favorite recipes from my Mom written down.

Food Glorious Food! said...

Never thought of making tart out of green beans.... loving the idea!

Lucie said...

I love the idea of this! I often make frittata with peas, so I can see how this would be really tasty.

Marmande in the Kitchen said...

The sliced tart looks so pretty with the green beans all stacked up - I think this could turn a non-green bean eater into a green bean fan. Looks delicious!

June said...

Wow - that looks really wonderful and delicious. Love the addition of the ciabatta crumbs on top - must be crunchy and creamy and what could be better than that!

Anonymous said...

Mary, you really are inspiration, what a wonderful tart - so pretty and delicious sounding. I always love visiting your blog!
Mary x

JG said...

Fresh green beans are one of my fam's fave veggies! I would need to work very quickly while making this. Otherwise, there would be none left for the tart. :) This looks good!
~Judy

Tip Top Shape said...

This looks delicious!!! I just planted a bunch of green beans in my garden and once they're grown I am definitely making this!

Chris's Gourmet Fashion said...

This tortino looks quite amazing. What an original idea - I do not think I have ever seen or tasted one of these before, so perhaps it's time to try and make one. I'm always looking for different ways to use green beans (one of the few veggies the daughter eats without complaining).

Reese Darragh said...

Dear Mary,

That looks really good. I should try making that sometime. Have a wonderful Thursday!

Reese

Barbara said...

A lovely and unusual recipe, Mary. And such a great presentation when sliced! That was half the fun of your photo!
Of course, now I'm going to HAVE to make this for dinner.....I think I could even get the grandkids to love their green beans this way.

Wendy Irene said...

What a great lesson Mrs. S taught and a wonderful reminder for when we get caught up in consumerism. I’m going to carry that with me. Thank you! :)

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

I just bought some green beans, I lovethem. Have a hard time convincing my sicilian husband to even try them... this one may do it... I am thinking I will cut this recipe in half... at least I will eat the whole thing even if I can't get him to love them... this one really hit me just perfection!

That Girl said...

I'm not an aesthetic, but part of me is much happier using my money on food and food products because it's something the multitudes can enjoy. As opposed to a new pair of shoes just for me!

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous and delicious dish, Mary!

Anonymous said...

1) boo hiss. Gilt Taste: a new way to want. although, if I invest in those champagne glasses I won't break the stems and it will be anti consumerism! *gasp! geeeeenyus.
2) It's almost so beautiful the taste would be a note in passing. Love the visual effect.

Rambling Tart said...

I'm glad you succumbed to that splurge, Mary. :-) We all need a little outlandish beauty and inspiration in our lives now and then. I love this tart! What a clever idea. :-)

Katerina said...

This is perfect for a light dinner! I love the greens in it!

Tasha said...

As a green bean fan, it sounds tasty and I like the idea of the ciabatta crumb topping. Yet another reason I need to invest in a springform pan.

Unknown said...

What an amazing recipe! I love green beans : ) Mmmmm

Kathy said...

This looks so fabulous! My husband would really like this because it has green beans! I will have to give it a try! Really enjoyed your post…You're so right about the sweetness of the house on the hill!

Jessica | Cajunlicious said...

Mary this is almost too beautiful to eat!

Have a great day!

teresa said...

your food is always so beautiful! this looks delicious, i love green beans!

Linda said...

Thanks for sharing that link. I love Ruth Reichl's writing and have read most of her books and miss Gourmet magazine, especially her editorials. And, wow, I love this tart! What a great picture of those terrific looking green beans nestled in there.

Swathi said...

Green bean tart looks awesome. love to try them.

Claudia said...

I have never thought to put green beans in a tart or frittata - I love the looks of them - especially all those sweet circles peeking. And 'tis the season of green beans!

Elaine said...

It makes such a pretty slice! I have not had a chance to check out Gilt Taste yet...Hope you have a good evening, Mary.

Joanne said...

String beans are one of the few items I've never thought to put into a fritatta-esque dish but it looks so good that I have to try it!

Velva said...

Sometimes we just have to indulge. Your love for cooking is a passion.

A green bean tart, how very creative. Love it.

Velva

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

wow...this looks amazing...lovely clicks..
Tasty Appetite
Event: Letz Relishh Ice Creams

Ameena said...

Mary - you have the most beautiful header I have ever seen. I mean that!

And your tart looks divine. Absolutely amazing. I've never seen anything like it, not even in Paris. Thank you for sharing your amazing talents with all of us! I can't wait to try this recipe.

mia xara said...

Very interesting recipe for green beans, Mary! Thanks for posting!

Maria said...

This looks so gorgeous Mary - a real show stopper! ;-)

The Blonde Duck said...

Have a wonderful weekend!

Emily Malloy said...

That is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

lena said...

i've not seen anything like this before. Glad i didnt miss this!

David said...

Mary, Really different! Unlike anything I've seen before. A nice addition to the recipe file... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Maggie said...

I adore frittata in any shape or form, combine that with my never ending search for recipes that help me cope with the annual glut of haricot vert from the potager and this dish is a winner twice over.
Many thanks for sharing it with us.

Unknown said...

Those green beans really have my attention. What a dish!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I love the look of this tortino - would never have thought to use the beans this way.

Catherine said...

What a great meal for Friday night. Looks great. Blessings, Catherine

Tasty Trix said...

Funny, I know what you mean - I don't usually get greedy when it comes to shopping, but somehow kitchen things can really awaken my inner shopper! This tart looks really lovely.

sally said...

Looks like a great recipe! I love the cross-sectional look at all of those stacked green beans.

My Little Space said...

Mary, I'll have to say the tart looks really pretty. I love how you cook it. Thanks for such lovely recipe.
Kristy

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