I just love itsy bitsy pieces of deliciousness. Everything just looks better and even tastes better (only in my mind) when it is created as a little bite size portion of the whole. This recipe of Mini Spinach and Cheddar Tartlets is another one of those wonderfully tasty mini bites that can be easily transformed into a grand dinner idea.
Two in one! Spinach and Cheddar Tartlets are a great party snack and an instant wholesome dinner for the whole family.
It consists of a flavorsome garlic and chili combination, sautéed with chopped red onion, bits of smoky bacon and mixed with cooked spinach and smothered in a delicious creamy cheddar cheese and mustard sauce. Add this filling into the delectable buttery quiche pastry dough and bake in the oven for a great treat.
Wow, what a mouthful! Yeah, literally!
All you need to do to serve this delicious healthy meal to your family as a main is to use a family size quiche tin or oven safe dish, line the bottom with the lovely buttery quiche dough, add the filling and bake for 30 – 40 minutes. Serve it with spicy potato wedges or a green salad – HAPPINESS!
| Prep Time | 15 min | 
| Cook Time | 15 min | 
| Servings |   dozen  | 
- 2 cups flour
 - 3 teaspoons baking powder
 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
 - 1 large egg
 - 125 gr butter softnened
 - 20 ml cold water
 
- 15 ml olive oil
 - 1 red onion peeled and chopped fine
 - 1 clove garlic peeled and chopped fine
 - 1 birds eye chili finely chopped
 - 200 gr bacon diced
 - 500 gr cooked spinach
 - 125 gr butter
 - 1/2 cup flour
 - 4 cups milk
 - 2 tablespoons wholegrain mustard
 - 1 cup cheddar cheese grated
 - salt and black pepper to season
 
 
 
   Ingredients  Easy Quiche Pastry 
  Filling 
  | 
- Combine all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix.
 - Next add all the wet ingredients and work with your fingers until easy manageable dough is formed.
 - Next line your tart or quich tin with dough by pushing it firmly down with your fingers
 
- In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion, garlic and chili – remove from the pan into a large mixing bowl.
 - Add the bacon and cook until crispy. Remove from heat and transfer the bacon to the mixing bowl with the sautéed ingredients.
 - Shred the spinach and add this to the rest of the ingredients.
 - In another saucepan, heat the butter until melted, remove from the heat and add the flour – whisk.
 - Add the milk and heat it up again – whisking all the way – until your white sauce (béchamel sauce) has reached its required thickness. Add more milk if you need to.
 - Remove from heat and add the mustard, cheese and salt and pepper. Mix.
 - Add the béchamel sauce to the spinach and mix well.
 - Line your oven safe dish or muffin pans with pastry dough, by pushing the dough firmly with your fingers.
 - No need to blind bake or pre bake this pastry, simply add your filling in the raw crust and bake at the appropriate times.
 - Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 10 – 15 minutes.
 



