Mediterranean Eggplant Walnut Phyllo Tart
Delight in this Mediterranean Eggplant Walnut Phyllo Tart, a flavorful fusion of tender eggplant, crunchy walnuts, and aromatic herbs, all baked into crispy phyllo pastry. This savory tart is layered with ripe plum tomatoes and finished with a medley of Parmesan and feta for a rich, cheesy top. Perfect as a centerpiece for your next meal or as a delightful appetizer, this tart captures the essence of fresh Mediterranean flavors. Serve it warm or at room temperature and impress your family and friends with this exquisite dish that's easy to prepare and is sure to tantalize the taste buds.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
2 teaspoons (for sautéing and brushing phyllo)
eggplant
3/4 lb (cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
garlic
3 cloves (minced)
shallot or leek
1 (sliced thin)
dried thyme
1 teaspoon (can substitute with tarragon)
tomato paste
2 1/2 teaspoons (for flavoring)
walnuts
1 cup (chopped)
phyllo dough
10 sheets (thawed)
olive oil or cooking spray
for greasing (to coat tart pan and brush phyllo)
Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (grated and divided)
feta cheese
1/2 cup (crumbled)
plum tomatoes
5 medium (cut into 1/4 inch slices)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant cubes, minced garlic, and thinly sliced shallot (or leek) along with the dried thyme. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2
Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the eggplant is tender, approximately 8 minutes. Stir once or twice to ensure even cooking.
3
Add the tomato paste to the skillet and continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes, stirring constantly to combine.
4
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the chopped walnuts until evenly mixed.
5
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9-inch tart pan by coating it with olive oil or cooking spray.
6
Take the phyllo dough and carefully lay one sheet into the pan, allowing the edges to hang over the sides. Lightly brush the top with olive oil or cooking spray, then sprinkle a bit of grated Parmesan cheese.
7
Repeat this layering process until you have layered several sheets of phyllo, ensuring an even, jagged edge around the rim of the tart pan.
8
Spoon the eggplant mixture evenly over the phyllo crust, then arrange the sliced plum tomatoes on top.
9
Finish by sprinkling the remaining grated Parmesan and crumbled feta cheese over the tart.
10
Fold the overhanging phyllo edges over the filling to create a decorative border.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the phyllo is golden and crisp.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mediterranean Eggplant Walnut Phyllo Tart?
It is a flavorful savory tart that combines tender eggplant, crunchy walnuts, and aromatic herbs inside a crispy phyllo pastry crust.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients required for this recipe, including eggplant, walnuts, phyllo dough, and various seasonings.
What type of eggplant is recommended?
The recipe calls for 3/4 lb of eggplant, cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
Can I substitute the shallot in the recipe?
Yes, you can use a thinly sliced leek as a substitute for the shallot.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses one teaspoon of dried thyme, which can be substituted with tarragon.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The three cloves of garlic should be minced before being added to the skillet.
How long should I saute the eggplant?
Sauté the eggplant cubes, garlic, and shallot for about 5 minutes, then cover and cook for another 8 minutes until tender.
What is the purpose of the tomato paste?
Tomato paste is added to the skillet to provide rich flavoring to the eggplant mixture.
What kind of nuts are used in this tart?
The recipe uses 1 cup of chopped walnuts for added crunch and flavor.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What size tart pan is required?
A 9-inch tart pan is needed for this recipe.
How do I prepare the tart pan?
Coat the 9-inch tart pan with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent the phyllo from sticking.
How many sheets of phyllo dough are used?
The recipe calls for 10 thawed sheets of phyllo dough.
How do I layer the phyllo dough?
Lay one sheet at a time, brush with oil or spray, sprinkle with Parmesan, and repeat until several layers are formed.
Do I need to brush the phyllo with oil?
Yes, lightly brush the top of each phyllo sheet with olive oil or cooking spray during the layering process.
Is Parmesan cheese used in the crust?
Yes, a bit of grated Parmesan cheese is sprinkled between the layers of phyllo dough.
What type of tomatoes are used as a topping?
The tart is topped with 5 medium plum tomatoes, cut into 1/4 inch slices.
Which cheeses are used for the topping?
The tart is finished with a mixture of remaining grated Parmesan and 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese.
How do I finish the edges of the tart?
Fold the overhanging phyllo edges over the filling to create a decorative border.
How long does the tart take to bake?
Bake the tart for approximately 35 minutes in the preheated oven.
How can I tell when the tart is done?
The tart is finished when the phyllo pastry becomes golden and crisp.
Can this tart be served at room temperature?
Yes, this dish can be served warm or at room temperature.
Is this tart suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian tart featuring vegetables, nuts, and cheese.
What is the texture of the finished tart?
The tart features a crispy, flaky phyllo crust with a tender eggplant filling and a cheesy top.
Can I use tarragon instead of thyme?
Yes, the recipe suggests tarragon as a suitable substitute for dried thyme.
How should the plum tomatoes be sliced?
Plum tomatoes should be cut into 1/4 inch thick slices.
Should the phyllo dough be thawed?
Yes, you should use 10 sheets of thawed phyllo dough for the crust.
What role does olive oil play in the recipe?
Olive oil is used for sautéing the vegetables, greasing the pan, and brushing the phyllo sheets.
Is this recipe easy to prepare?
Yes, the recipe is described as easy to prepare and sure to tantalize the taste buds.
How do I arrange the tomato slices?
Arrange the sliced plum tomatoes on top of the eggplant mixture before adding the final cheese layer.