Good morning!
Miraculously, I’m still waking up around 5-5:30am since I have been back. I want this early to rise, early to bed streak to become a habit because I have fallen in love with the early morning again. I will be having a discussion tomorrow on early rising and the timing of meals, so stay tuned for that.
But, for now, tarts. It’s all about the tarts this week.
Do you ever see a picture so beautiful that it literally makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside?
That is what this onion did to me this morning!
And is why I love photography. There is nothing I love more than to see beauty in real life, capture it on camera, and share this beauty with others.
When I was a child and teenager my entire family used to call me ‘The Little Tourist’ because I took so many pictures.
As I always say, look to your childhood for answers about your passions!
I have always had a love for photography. Even back in the day, when I was fascinated with our Pink Polaroid Camera…
Now, that’s hot.
[source]
From organic farmer,
To skillet,
To table.
Mushroom, Spinach, & Onion Tart with ‘Goat Cheeze’
Goat Cheeze inspired by Choosing Raw.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white Kamut flour (or all-purpose)
- 1/4 cup Earth Balance buttery stick
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 4-4.5 tbsp almond milk
- 2.5-3 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1.5 cups packed spinach
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Goat Cheeze: 1/2 cup macadamia nut butter, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, black pepper, sea salt, to taste
Directions: Preheat oven to 400F. Grease a tart pan or alternatively you can simply roll out the dough, trim, and place on parchment on a baking sheet. To assemble the dough: In a stand mixer with a dough hook (or by hand), mix the flour, salt, butter, and almond milk together. Use your hands when necessary to form into a ball. Place in fridge for 20 mins. to chill. While it is chilling prepare the onions and mushrooms. In a skillet over medium-low heat, add in 2-3 tbsp oil and the sliced onion. Cook onion over low for about 10 minutes until it caramelizes and slightly browns. Remove dough from fridge and lightly flour your surface. Roll out dough to desired size and place into tart pan (see this post for more pictures of the process). Pierce dough with a fork and place in the oven for 13-16 minutes at 400F to pre-bake. While it is baking, add the sliced mushrooms and garlic to the onion mixture and cook over low-medium heat for another 10 minutes. Add in the spinach and cook for another 5 minutes until wilted. Make the goat cheeze by mixing 1/2 cup macadamia nut butter, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, black pepper, and approx 1/8th tsp sea salt. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. When tart is done pre-baking, remove from oven and spread on a layer of olive oil with a brush to keep the crust moist. Now, layer on the mushroom and onion mixture. Now add on clumps of goat cheeze. Bake in over for another 5 minutes or so, watching carefully, until golden in colour.
Note: Makes enough dough and filling to make two 3×12 inch tarts. You can also make mini tarts or even use a cupcake pan if you don’t have mini tart pans. As a third option, simply roll out your dough, trim the edges to form a rectangle, and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Score the edges to form a crust.
I didn’t have enough mushrooms and onion (maybe half of what was required), so I had to make due without. I suggest using the quantity recommended in the recipe so you can really fill your tart to the brim. I found my filling was very sparse.
I would have preferred double the filling than what I had…
This ‘goat cheeze’ was fun! I didn’t have macadamia nuts, so I made a modified version of Gena’s Goat cheese.
Oops I forgot the spinach!
Much better.
I love how the goat cheeze browned in the oven. Very authentic looking!
The goat cheeze was slightly dry, so I think next time I wouldn’t cook it for as long. Maybe just 5 minutes to retain the moisture.
It tasted wonderful! Very authentic tasting for a vegan tart.
Now for the one thing I really struggled with since getting back from my trip…
EXERCISE!
While on our trip, my sister and I were a great team. The night before, she would convince me that getting up at 6am while on vacation to workout was a good idea and when the alarm went off the next morning, I dragged her butt out of bed. We worked in complete harmony.
Except for that morning after a night of too much wine, when we both looked at each other with that knowing look and snuggled up under the warm bed sheets for a couple more hours. I had three workouts out of 6 days while away. I consider that a success being jet-lagged and all. We never did regret one of those early morning workouts!
However, once I got home, my motivation disappeared.
I came home to cloudy, cold, and rainy weather and to make matters worse, I felt under the weather myself. I decided to let my body tell me when it was ready to workout again.
Thursday passed, as did Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Nothing.
Not even the slightest desire to workout.
Then I realized that I could go for weeks if I didn’t intervene! This was quite silly, all I had to do was put on my sneakers and sweat. Was it really that bad?
So yesterday, I ran 3 miles and I felt like a new woman afterwards. I always say, starting a workout is the hardest part.
And yes, sometimes, a swift kick to my own butt is necessary to get those workout juices going once again. [Side note: Kicking your own butt is not easy!]
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{ 115 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh my goodness…this is one of the most beautiful dishes I’ve seen in quite a while!!! SO pretty!!
I am loving the tart and would devour that! It looks incredible.
And I think it can always be tough to get back into it once we are away from exercise. I just always try to remind myself HOW good I feel. Usually after 1-2 workouts I’m back at it!
THAT LOOKS SO GOOD!! Besides the mushrooms, hehe…they’re the only veggie I don’t like (and oh, how I’ve tried), but I’m thinking I can sub another veggie for them…ohh my mom would love this, thanks for sharing!
I would try zucchini if you don’t like mushrooms. I bet even cubed new potatoes would be great here too. Or b’nut squash!
Okay, I’m getting too excited. :-)
This tart looks delicious! Do you know what kind of mushrooms you used, they look good!
I’m really looking forward to the next post! A few months ago I started waking up at 5am every morning and i LOVE it, but between that and being vegan my meal scheduling has been all over the place (I usually end up having 2 small meals before lunch comes around – althought since I also work out in the morning I guess that’s not suprising).
Good job on working out during your vacation!
I want to come live with you to wake up to those smells in the morning. Mmmmm!!!
And I agree that getting back into the swing of exercise is the hardest part. After the first workout or two, its much easier to do. Good job getting it done!
One of the things I love most about your blog is the beautiful photography!
Even if your posts were not about something which I enjoy reading about (however they ALWAYS are!) I would still visit just to oogle at the pretty eyecandy.
You have a real eye for composition!
That tart is gorgeous. I hate onions, but even I want to try it!
The tart looks so pretty. I love all your kitchen accessories, so cute.
That looks so tasty and it looks SO appetizing!
Great looking tart Angela!
I see you’ve gotten lots of food inspiration from your Paris trip, eh?
Well done on the 3! I saw you debating it on Twitter :P
The tart looks faaab!! Do you come up with all the measurements from your head, or do you look at other recipes for inspiration?
Tks!
For these measurements I simply used all of the ingredients I had….saw how it worked…and then based the final measurements on that (I think I tripled what I used) to allow for an extra tart + more filling.
This tart looks amazing!!
You never fail to amaze me Angela with your mushroom recipes… this one, just like all the others, is brilliant. Thanks for sharing!
– Brittany
Thank you!
Oooh very pretty! Just thought I’d mention that I have the same basting brush as you except mine is blue lol. And that pink polaroid certainly IS hot. :)
that’s a tasty looking dish! I’ve recently fallen in love with goat cheese though, so I might have to sub ‘goat cheese’ for goat cheese ;).
It really is hard for me too to get into a routine again when you take a few days off. That first workout always feels like the best “refresher” for me.
Paris has made you even more ridiculous. And I mean ridiculous in the best way possible. Your fruit tarts looked absolutely scrumptious and it was my favorite PFB entry (shh don’t tell anyone!) This tart looks fabulous, too, what an inspired idea with the goat cheeze topping! Hard to believe the tart is 100% vegan. I can’t wait until you tackle croissants!
yumm, now i’m hungry, and i just woke up haha
I agree that just getting started on exercise is harder than actually doing it sometimes.
That is totally true. Looking back at your childhood passions is a beautiful idea. I’ve been eating spinach and goat cheese tarts so much over here! It is nice to see a vegan variation of them, good job!
That tart looks awesome!!!
And I have to comment on the Polaroid…I used to have the same one. I was just taliking about how cool I thought I was when I walked aroudn with that thing!! And yeah, I always took pictures when I was a kid, and to this day my friends call me when they need old pics from elementary through hs and even college because I never left my house without a camera. I still try not to (my camera is a little nicer than the ones I had back then!) lol
hey, we all have those certain weeks when we fall off the workout wagon! glad to hear you’re back on the wagon though :)
Wow that tart looks amazing!!!!!
I hear you about getting the motivation to kick yourself in the butt and get in gear again after time off! I’ve been off for over a week now due to a bad cold and desperately need to get my shoes on and push my little behind out the door and run!
I agree that it can be tough to get back into a routine. I try to rely on momentum and avoid breaks but hey, life happens and we can’t always avoid the interruptions whether we like it or not. I have been using goals like 1/2 marathon training as a personal butt kick. Good for you for getting yourself back on track!!
Oh my goodness! What a stunningly beautiful meal!
Kudos!
What a delicious looking tart! :) I also love the addition of “goat cheeze” – that sounds very interesting.
I love savory tarts, this one has such amazing ingredients!
Spinach and shrooms go so well together
I love mushrooms, onions and goat cheese, oh my! Can you please be my personal chef? :)
That tart is absolutely gorgeous! and I agree…getting started is the hardest part. For me, once I’m at the gym I’m in my own little, happy world…getting there is the obstacle. haha
I am a huge lover of “real” goat cheese, but this still looks so good! I’m not a fan of exercising on vacation, although I’m impressed you were able to squeeze it in! I’d much rather plan to be on my feet more and do things like walking than lace up my running sneakers. Glad you are feeling like yourself again!
3 out of 6 is awesome! And really, do we every regret working out? I tell myself this one every time I feel a resistance to getting moving.
The tart looks INCREDIBLE! And I love shiitakes and spinach and they are such a power-team of superfoods!
This is an incredible post, girl. I love it! The pictures are just glowing:)
I understand the lack of motivation to workout after a trip. That’s usually how I am, too. But I’ve learned by now that I’m not 100% my best self unless I’m running or biking just about every day. Keep running! You can do it!
The photos are absolutely beautiful. What a lovely tart!
That tart is beautiful, I might have to try something similar when I get back from vacation. I even have homemade (not by me) goat cheese in the refrigerator.
I feel your pain on the workouts. I even discussed it on my blog this morning. I have a tendency to put off runs because I’m nervous they won’t go well.
I wouldn’t consider it “falling off the wagon” since you’re so fit already, but it’s really hard to get back to a habit if you take a break for a while… I know this from experience :P Your tart looks amazing!
Mmmm I loovee caramelized onions and sauteed mushrooms!! That pizza sounds to die for.
Hope you get out of you exercise rut soon! I think the best way to do so is just go out and run- once you get started it’ll be hard to get off of it :)
Angela that tart looks so lovely :) I’d be interested to try goat cheeze vs real goat cheese!
I am with you on the workouts — sometimes you just need to lace up your shoes and GET GOING. After a few minutes your body remembers why you do it.
I have to agree with the previous comments that that is one of the most delicious dishes I have seen in a while… I absolutely am in LOVE with mushrooms… and my heart almost skipped a beat when I saw that photo : )
you are all about the tarts lately…i love it! this one sounds particularly awesome :)
That tart looks amazing!!! :] I was the same way with exercise when I got back from my weekend vacation to Florida early August. I got home and didn’t work out for a week ’cause my body was catching up on sleep. I got back into it and didn’t get my DESIRE to work out until just this last week!!! Insane but I feel like it’s better I worked out with not as much fervor as I had before I left than if I were to not have worked out at all.
mmm i love goat cheese!
Angela, this looks divine. I will have to give it a try! Although I will probably use regular cheese =)
That tart looks superb! I never would have thought of making a fake goat cheese out of nuts…wow. Everything looks so tasty, can you send me one through email please?
I definitely need to kick myself in the butt as well! I have had a really, really bad last week. I haven’t been to the gym and with appointments today I know I don’t have time to squeeze one in. I have to make sure to take better care of myself!
Your tart came out beautifully, Ange! Love it. And that’s a great, easy way to streamline the goat cheeze making process :)
It’s so hard to get back into working out after taking a break from it! I usually have to take some inspiration from Nike and just do it! :P
Oh I hear ya! Getting back on track after vacation is soo hard! I got back last night and I’m kicking my butt into gear TODAY, before it gets bad :)
Hi Angela!
I went to a restaurant yesterday and thought of you. It is phenomenal! It’s called ‘Raw Aura’, located in Mississauga on Lakeshore. i think you should really check it out!
http://www.mississauga.com/news/business/article/228217–raw-aura-makes-top-10
I have been meaning to try that restaurant actually :) What did you order?
I ordered the bruschetta and lasagna. SO good.
the goat cheeze sounds so fascinating!! i’m going to have to give it a try…it browned just like real goat cheeze. fun! did you just saute the spinach and then add it?
yes maim!
I love waking up in time to see the sun rise:) I usually do too, heh.
Nice job on the run and just making yourself get out there!
That tart looks so great. I love goat cheese, so I wonder how close to it the “goat cheeze” actually tastes. Interesting!
Ahh yes the good ole kick in your own butt. I definitely have to do that sometimes when I get busy with school/lazy. I always feel better taking even 30 minutes to myself to workout, but its hard to remind yourself of that when you’re just totally not feeling it.
I hate trying to get back into a workout routine after a break…why is it so hard!!!
OMG that dish looks perfection. So good that I can’t even form a proper sentence to describe it. :-)
Ahhh don’t show me these sort of things when I don’t have a proper kitchen in which to make it myself. This. looks. so. good. I’m putting it on my list of “stuff to make when I’m at my parents’ house.”
What an interesting sub for goat cheese! I wanna try it out to see how it would taste. It sounds like a delicious combo, just don’t know how much it resembles the real thing.
That would be such a great dish for a holiday brunch!
It’s been 113 degrees here so yeah, I understand a lack of motivation to exercise.
I agree, the hardest part is STARTING to workout. I get into slumps every now and then where I just don’t have any motivation to get up and move, but once I get started I realize it’s not so bad. It’s getting to that point of realizing that, that is so hard sometimes. Hope you are starting to feel better though! The dish looks amazing that you made!
HORRAY FOR ANGELA!!! You saved my “what will I make for dinner?!” question! AND it’ll provide me with dinner for my two night classes this week! You’re AWESOME!
Yeah, I certainly know how hard it is to get re-motivated. Blarg! It sucks!
Yum, yum, and yum! Yet another addition to my list of my things to make!
if you’re intiminated by the coffee machine, i’m intiminated by this recipe!!!
i’ll make you coffee if you send me this dish! looks so delish!
i’ve also been right there with you, but once you step out the front door, turn up some good tunes, you are good to go! and as i always like to say to my clients when i’m teaching (fitness classes)… SMILE, send the neurons to your brain that you’re having fun!
Totally agree on the workout thing – after a few days away it can be impossible to get back into a routine! I try to make myself go on a quick run after a toxic weekend, even if I am tired and hungover, becuase I KNOW it will make me feel better!
Love the pink polaroid :D
I want that tart!!! Holy cow that looks delicious!!! I’m pretty sure I need to make this bad boy!!
Yummy!!! i am coming over for dinner.;)
“starting a workout is the hardest part. “–YES it is!!! The first mile is always the longest and hardest and sometimes it’s not til halfway thru my running, walking, yoga, lifting, whatever it is that Im doing that I “get into it”. 99% of the time I do eventually find my zone. But yes, you just gotta start and give yourself a kick in your own butt some times!
Early to bed, early to rise is the opposite of me based on my routine and work but whenever one finds those precious hours of the day to work out or find some peace and zen…that’s a beautiful thing :)
Um. Yum. That tart looks increeedible!
I love that YOU’RE loving getting up early. It can be tough at first but since you’re motivated I think you got over the hump faster than some. It was amazing to me how quickly it became a habit – it’s a little tougher now that it’s dark longer, but there is absolutely nothing like fresh, early morning air. And it’s so great at 8 or 9:00 to look at all you’ve accomplished already!
This looks great! I also loved the recap of all your delicious foods from home since your trip. Being away always makes your own kitchen so inviting; it gives you a new inspiration to be creative!!
I love your onion photos! I’m like that too… even though I’m not as much of a foodie, I do take pictures of interesting or pretty foods, and my parents always make fun of it. I had this gorgeous picture of a red pepper on our kitchen counter back in middle school, and part of me didn’t want anyone to eat it :) I also have a picture I took of this oddly shaped orange we had… it looked almost like a pear. I know that once I finally start cooking some real meals, I will be snapping photos left and right!
It’s great that you were able to combine childhood passions to do what you really love :)
Seriously, this looks exquisite! I’m excited to see how your Parisian eats influence what you’ll be making now. Your photography really makes everything look so appetizing!!!
What was your variation on the goat cheeze?
I can only get my hands on roasted, salted macadmias, so I would be very interested in a viable variation to macadamias. Thanks!!!!
I completely agree on the workout front. It’s so hard to get started again, but once I do, I always feel like a new woman!
You take awesome pictures! I always get hungry whenever I visit your site! =)
Are you kidding me with that tart! Outrageous! looks so tasty. ;)
Good for you on fitting in 3 workouts on your trip.
I leave for Maui in 4 days, I plan on working out outside!
I can totally relate to lacking motivation to excercise. We all have days like that! I had no desire to run yesterday, but once I got out on the Chicago lakefront, I was so glad I that I’d kicked my own butt out the door! :) Self-discipline can be tough.
Oh Angela – this tart looks so fantastic! You have done such a great job :)
Your pictures are so amazing, gosh. Do you take them all outside, or is the lighting in your kitchen really that magnificent?!
My kitchen lighting is horrible! I have to move everything to the dining room window :) Much better. Its a pain in the butt but so worth it.
Oooh, this looks GOOD.
Wow!!!! Totally impressed with this dish. Yowza! I get the same way with working out…when something interrupts me from a few workouts, [trip, being sick, moving, etc] it’s hard to get back in the swing! When we moved I had about a 10 day stretch where I didn’t work out at all. I was hauling boxes around, but it was not enough. I searched out a pool, mapped some bike routes, got back in the zone and am feeling SO great! :)
I agree, the first mile of my runs is the WORST until I get into a groove!
This looks fantastic.. and I don’t just mean that awesome Polaroid camera!
Mushrooms, mushrooms everywhere! All these blogs talking about mushrooms today is making me crave some fungus. Looks fabulous…beautiful pictures Angela!
I know what you mean in regards to motivation. There are some days That I am ready to GO and there are some weeks (lol) that I have to literally bribe myself into working out. I love your photos, although I’m not a huge fan of tarts or mushrooms.
That’s a beautiful tart! Can’t believe it’s vegan!!
Your photography is SO great. Your love does shine through! :)
“And is why I love photography. There is nothing I love more than to see beauty in real life, capture it on camera, and share this beauty with others.” <——- Could NOT agree MORE!
And I had the exact same CoolCam back in the day!
The tart looks savory-licious!!!!
These photos are some of the most beautiful I’ve seen on your blog! This tart is absolutely gorgeous, can I even say that about a tart? I think the recipe and photos are ready for a food magazine!
Hi Anglea! Your website is my “go-to” for healthy cookie recipes…….do you have any good pumpkin cookie recipes?! I want to open a can of pumpkin for a smoothie, but I know I’ll have a TON of leftovers to use, and what better way to use them than a healthy vegan cookie! :)
that is a gourmet quality tart!! ive been really into quiches lately and am always looking for a new crust recipe…ive never tried kamut flour but i love how it doesn’t cause too much shrinkage. will definitely try it!
wow, this looks amazing! I am so hungry for this for lunch :)
Heidi xo
You take vegan food to a whole new level!!
And I agree that the onion IS very beautiful :)
Maybe the tears I get from it are tears of JOY
I just made this for dinner tonight and it was amazing. I didn’t have macadamia butter so I skipped on the cheeze. I also used whole wheat flour (all I had). Thanks so much for this, I’m sure I’ll be making it often!
This is absolutely beautiful! Please submit this to Tastespotting! :)
I want to be BFFs with that tart, because I know we would get along wonderfully :-)
That tart looks delicious and just darn cute. Love the combo of mushroom, spinach and goat cheese (or cheeze!).
Good for you for listening to your body in letting it rest, and then getting it moving again :-)
i’ve always wanted one of those old fashioned polaroid cameras! i love how the picture comes right out of it! not to mention pink is my favorite color :) all your paris purchases look awesome
Oh my gosh, I absolutely agree about starting the workout being the worst part… But even though I know that, it still wins out a decent amount of the time. I suppose I just haven’t made it a strong enough habit yet.
You are so right Angela, starting a workout is the hardest part! Also, kicking your own butt is difficult, yet sometimes necessary. Thanks for the inspiration :)
Yummy!
Oh.My.Word. Those ginger cookies look fantastic. I’m absolutely a sucker for anything ginger, and that tart looks smashing too!
Angela, I have been following your blogs since August 2012, tried a lot of your recipes, just made this one, n it taste so good! though I use whole wheat pastry, I used coconut oil to replace butter ( I don’t have butter now). but it tasted good, thank you!
This looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!
What would you recommend subbing for macadamia nut butter if I dont have any (and cant seem to find a place to buy it). Would almond butter work?
Thanks for this recipe. I just made it (without the goat cheeze, though), and it tasted really good! Since I don’t have tarte pans, I was hoping to mold the dough around the filling, but the dough was not really moldable (is it supposed to be?). I’ll try this recipe again another time; maybe another dish, or not trying to mold the dough, will help. Again, it was tasty, though, and I’m glad I tried it! I’m looking forward to trying your Carrot Apple Ginger Soup and Taco Salad this week as well!
Yes on the exercising thing! I too need to get back into a routine, especially this month!
can’t wait to try this recipe!
where did you find this tart pan??
Hi L, I think it’s from Golda’s Kitchen in Mississauga area off the 401.
Thank you! Just pre-ordered two copies of your cookbook :)
This looks so so delish…I need to make it gluten free~ any advice?