Yummy Food & Weight Loss

It’s delicious. It’s an Ina recipe. It’s a must try this holiday season.

Just feast your eyes on this Goat Cheese and Tomato Tart …

Yes, Roxann made it. And yes, she is completely outdoing me in the recipe department.

She also made lentil soup this week. And I thought I didn’t like lentil soup ~ until I met Roxann’s lentil soup. It was fabulous! Dribble a little balsamic vinegar and *zing* ~ I now love lentil soup. I’ll get that one ready to share soon.

So, maybe you’re wondering … how is it that I whine about needing to lose weight but keep posting pretty pictures of all the food I’m eating?

I have learned that you can actually eat delicious food and lose weight (3 pounds so far) on the plan Tatum and I hatched up.

Will I share the plan with you? You betcha! Just as soon as I complete the guinea pig phase and get it down on paper.

We might even ask you to be a guinea pig too!!

Meanwhile, enjoy the recipe. Cheers!

Goat Cheese and Tomato Tart

1 package (2 sheets) puff pastry, defrosted * 4 c. thinly sliced yellow onions (2 large onions) * 3 large garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers * kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper * 3 tablespoons dry white wine * 2 tsp minced fresh thyme leaves * 4 T. grated Parmesan, plus 2 ounces shaved * 4 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese * 1 large tomato, cut into 4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices * 3 tablespoons julienned basil leaves * EVOO

Unfold a sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll it lightly to an 11 by 11-inch square. Using a 6-inch wide saucer or other round object as a guide, cut 2 circles from the sheet of puff pastry, discarding the scraps. Repeat with the second pastry sheet to make 4 circles in all. Place the pastry circles on 2 sheet pans lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until ready to use.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium to low heat and add the onions and garlic. Saute for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are limp and there is almost no moisture remaining in the skillet. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the wine, and thyme and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, until the onions are lightly browned. Remove from the heat.

Using a sharp paring knife, score a 1/4-inch-wide border around each pastry circle. Prick the pastry inside the score lines with the tines of a fork and sprinkle a tablespoon of grated Parmesan on each round, staying inside the scored border.

Place 1/4 of the onion mixture on each circle, again staying within the scored edge. Crumble 1 ounce of goat cheese on top of the onions. Place a slice of tomato in the center of each tart. Brush the tomato lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with basil, salt, and pepper. Finally, scatter 4 or 5 shards of Parmesan on each tart.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. Serve hot or warm.

… don’t you love Ina Garten?!?

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