Chic And Cheerful Savoury French Olive Cheese And Onion Cake Recipes

CHEESE AND ONION SAVOURY CAKE

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 180ºC and grease a 20cm springform pan.
• Cream together the butter and cottage cheese until smooth and pale.
• Add the eggs, one a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition and mixing well.
• Add the sauteed onions, cheddar cheese and herbs and mix well. Scrape bowl again.
• Add the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper and mix until just combined.
• Transfer batter to prepared cake pan and top with onion rings.
• Place in the oven and allow to bake for 45 minutes - 1 hour until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted comes out clean.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 20-30 minutes until warm, but not hot.
• Slice and serve.

FRENCH SAVORY CAKE WITH HAM, CHEESE, AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 5-in (23 x 12 cm) loaf pan (see note for other size options). Line the bottom and two longer sides of the pan with a sling of parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, herbes de Provence, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs, yogurt, and olive oil. Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients and stir, using a spatula, until just combined. Fold in the cheese, ham, and olives. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan. Use the spatula to smooth out the surface.
• Bake until the bread is puffed and golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes. Pull on the parchment paper to unmold the cake, running a knife around the pan if necessary. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
• Slice the bread and serve at room temperature, or warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes before serving.
• STORAGE: The flavors of this French savory cake keep developing as it sits, which makes it even better the next day. If you can, make it in advance, let it rool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 minutes before serving.
• French savory cake will keep refrigerated, tightly wrapped, for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 1 month.
• NOTE: The batter can also be baked in two small loaf pans (6 x 3.5 in / 15 x 9 cm) for about 25 minutes, or in a standard muffin pan. Line the pan with parchment paper cups. Divide the batter between the cups and bake for 20 minutes, or until the savory cupcakes are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

ONION CAKE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp; drain bacon and discard pan drippings. In the same skillet, cook onions in butter until tender. Cool. , In a large bowl, combine sour cream, flour and salt; add eggs. Stir in the bacon and onions; set aside. , Separate crescent roll dough into four rectangles. Pat dough onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. square baking pan, stretching as needed. Pinch edges together to seal. Pour onion mixture over dough. , Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until the topping is set and crust is golden. Cool slightly before cutting into small squares. Serve warm.

CHIC AND CHEERFUL - SAVOURY FRENCH OLIVE, CHEESE AND ONION CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a small frying pan. Gently fry the onion for about 10 minutes, or until soft and golden.
• Meanwhile, sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Gradually whisk in the eggs, followed by the milk, until you have a smooth batter. Mix in the cheese, olives and sautéed onions, along with their oil. Cover and leave to rest for 2 hours. This will make a lighter cake.
• Preheat the oven to 220C,450F, gas mark 7 and grease 6 mini loaf tins (see above), or one large loaf tin. Give the batter a good stir and divide between the tins.
• Bake at the centre of the oven for 15 - 20 minutes for the 6 mini loaf tins, or 20-30 minutes for the large loaf - or until firm and golden. Leave to cool.
• When cold, turn out of the tins and wrap or store in an airtight tin. These savoury cake/s freeze very well in slices or as 1 whole or 6 mini loaves.
• NB. These can be made in advance and refrigerated. Bake them in a tray of mini loaf pans or individual mini loaf tins (the tins should be about 10 x 6 x 3.5cm). Alternatively, try muffin tins.

SAVORY CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• For the crust: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom of four 4-inch springform pans with nonstick spray.
• Mix the cracker crumbs, butter and pecans in a medium bowl until evenly moistened. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pans. Bake until the crusts are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool the pans on a rack.
• Once completely cool, spray the sides of the pans with cooking spray and line with strips of parchment.
• For the Cheddar-pimento cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, Cheddar, pimentos, Worcestershire, hot sauce and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the candied bacon and scallion greens.
• For the blue cheese cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, blue cheese, cream and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Fold in the dates and shallots. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the candied walnuts and a drizzle of honey.
• For the mozzarella-basil cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, cream and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Fold in the chopped basil. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the cherry tomatoes, drizzles of balsamic syrup and olive oil and a sprig of basil.
• For the goat cheese-herb cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, goat cheese, cream, parsley, rosemary, lemon zest, Worcestershire to taste and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Spread the jam over top. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment.

GREEN ONION CAKES

Steps:

• Measure flour & Salt into food processor. With lid in place & machine running, pour hot water slowly into the chute until dough starts to form a ball.
• Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead for 1 minute or until smooth.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let stand for 30 minutes.
• Shape into long roll, and divide into 12 portions.
• Put green onion into bowl, and take one of the 12 portions of dough and slightly flatten between your palms.
• Press each side into green onions. Knead into dough, and shape into flatten circle. Roll out on slightly greased surface with greased rolling pin into an 4.5 inch circle. Repeat with remaining dough. Keep onion cakes covered with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Heat oil in non-stick frying pan on med-high heat.
• Arrange 4 onion cakes in single layer on pan. Cook both sides, flattening down with lifter, until brown patches appear. Don't over cook, they should be soft, pliable and chewy.
• Remove to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt. Cut in to 2-4 pieces.

OOOH LA LA! FRENCH SAVOURY HAM, CHEESE AND OLIVE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C or 400°F.
• In a bowl beat the eggs until pale yellow and frothy.
• Stir in flour, baking powder, olive oil, melted butter, wine and port.
• Chop the ham, cube the cheese and slice the olives.
• Stir in ham, cheese, olives, salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour into greased bread tin, loaf tin or cake pan (11 X 4 inches would be a good size).
• Bake for about 50 minutes, or until well risen and golden brown.
• Serve cold in slices or as sandwich bread.
• This can be frozen in slices or as one whole loaf.

FRENCH ONION TART WITH CHEESY THYME PASTRY

Steps:

• Put the flour in the bowl of a food processor with the 100g butter. Blitz until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, then add 50g of the cheese, 1 tbsp of the thyme leaves, some freshly ground black pepper and 1 tsp salt. Blitz again briefly to combine. Add 2-3 tbsp cold water, and pulse again until it comes together into a dough. If you don't have a food processor, do this in a bowl - rub the flour into the butter first, then stir in the remaining ingredients with a knife. Wrap and chill for at least 40 mins.
• Meanwhile, heat the 25g butter and the olive oil in a large frying pan over a low-medium heat, and cook the onions with a pinch of salt for 40-50 mins, stirring often, until sticky, golden and very soft when pressed with the back of a spoon. If they start to catch, reduce the heat further and add a splash of water. Be patient, as they will take a while to caramelise, but keep your eye on the pan so they don't burn.
• Stir in the vinegar, sugar and the anchovies. Keep stirring until the vinegar has evaporated, and the anchovies have dissolved into the onions. Remove from the heat.
• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and roll the pastry out onto a lightly floured work surface to a 3mm thickness. Use the pastry to line a 23cm tart tin (use the rolling pin to help you do this). Trim the edges so they're just overhanging the sides. Patch the pastry with the offcuts, if needed. Scrunch up a sheet of baking parchment, then open it out again to line the pastry, and fill with baking beans. Bake for 15 mins, remove the parchment and beans, then bake for a further 5-8 mins, or until the pastry looks dry, without any raw spots.
• Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, cream, remaining thyme and the rest of the cheese together with a pinch each of salt and black pepper. Stir in the caramelised onions. Trim the sides of the pastry using a serrated knife to neaten the edges. Pour the filling into the pastry case and tap the tin gently on the work surface to release any bubbles.
• Bake the quiche for 25-30 mins on the middle shelf of the oven until lightly golden and set in the middle, with a slight wobble. Leave to cool in the tin for at least 15-20 mins, then slice. To make the salad, whisk the olive oil and vinegar together in a bowl, then toss in the remaining ingredients. Pile the salad on top of the quiche, or serve alongside. If you like, leave the quiche to cool completely, then chill before serving. Will keep in the fridge for up to three days.