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Tarta de acelga
Chard and cheese pie
Argentine Swiss chard and cheese pie
ArgentinianTarta de acelga is the green, savoury pie found in every Argentine bakery window and on weeknight tables, a legacy of Italian torta pasqualina. Swiss chard is wilted with onion, bound with eggs and soft cheese, seasoned with nutmeg and baked between layers of pastry, sometimes with whole eggs hidden inside. It's eaten warm or cold, for dinner with a salad or packed for a picnic. Chef's tip: squeeze the cooked chard hard in your hands; any water left in it makes the pastry soggy.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ lb Swiss chardleaves and stems separated, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onionfinely chopped
- 1 clove garliccrushed
- 3 eggs
- 7 oz ricotta
- 1 ¾ oz hard grating cheesegrated, vegetarian rennet
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 ⅛ lb shortcrust pastryor 2 discs of tapa para tarta
- 1 eggbeaten, for brushing
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Method
0/8 doneStep 1: Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Cook the chard stems for 3 minutes, add the leaves for 2 minutes more, then drain and cool.
6 minStep 2: Squeeze 1 ¾ lb Swiss chard by the handful until no more water drips out, then chop finely.
Step 4: In a bowl beat 3 eggs, then mix in 7 oz ricotta, 1 ¾ oz hard grating cheese, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, the chard and the onion.
Step 5: Heat the oven to 375°F (350°F fan). Line a 24 cm pie dish with half the 1 ⅛ lb shortcrust pastry, add the filling and smooth it.
Step 6: Cover with the remaining pastry, seal and crimp the edges, cut a small vent in the centre and brush with 1 egg.
Step 7: Bake until the pastry is deep golden and the filling is set when you give the dish a gentle shake, 35–40 minutes. A common mistake is cutting it hot: rest for 15 minutes so slices hold together.
38 minStep 8: Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 450 kcal
- Protein
- 16 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fat
- 28 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tarta de acelga take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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