Florentine Cheese Tarts

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: Baking, Sautéing Cuisine: Global Courses: Breakfast

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 30 Calories: 1055.6

Description

These Florentine Cheese Tarts are a delightful blend of savory flavors and comforting textures. The filling combines tender spinach, salty ham, and a rich mixture of cottage and cheddar cheeses, all bound together with eggs. Baked in individual portions, they offer a perfect balance of protein and flavor, making them ideal for breakfast, brunch, or even a light lunch. The addition of spices like nutmeg and celery seed enhances the classic Florentine profile. These tarts are easy to prepare ahead of time and reheat beautifully, offering a convenient yet homemade feel for busy mornings or casual gatherings.

Directions

Preheat oven to 325F (163C). Grease 30 muffin cups lightly with butter or non-stick spray.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced onion and saut until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add cubed ham, thawed spinach, celery seed, dry mustard, Bon appetit seasoning, nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons of flour to the skillet. Saut until the spinach is heated through and excess moisture has evaporated. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, remaining 1/2 cup flour, shredded cheddar cheese, and cottage cheese until well combined.
Fold the ham and spinach mixture into the egg and cheese mixture until evenly distributed.
Ladle the filling into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until the centers are set and the tops are lightly golden.
Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
Slide a small knife around the edge of each tart to loosen, then remove from the pans.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 30

Amount Per Serving
Calories 1055.6kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 67.4g104%
Saturated Fat 34.0g170%
Cholesterol 965.2mg322%
Sodium 1397.7mg59%
Total Carbohydrate 38.1g13%
Dietary Fiber 0.8g4%
Sugars 13.6g
Protein 73.1g147%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Storage: Store cooled tarts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating: To reheat, place tarts on a baking sheet and warm in a 325F oven for about 15 minutes, or microwave individual tarts for 30-45 seconds.

Variation: For a vegetarian version, omit the ham. You can also substitute spinach with kale or Swiss chard.

Tip: Squeeze the thawed spinach thoroughly to remove excess water before adding it to the skillet to prevent soggy tarts.

Florentine Cheese Tarts