Vegan Christmas Tarts
This Vegan Christmas Tart is jam packed full of Christmas flavours like butternut squash, chestnuts, and cranberries. It can be enjoyed as a side or a main. If you are looking for a naturally vegan tart this Christmas that is tasty but simple to make, then this is it.
INGREDIENTS (SERVES 2-4):
Base
½ cup steamed butternut squash
1 cup chickpea flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ cup water.
Salt
Filling
1 cup pearl barley
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp paprika
1 cup chestnut mushrooms, chopped small
1 cup kale, finely chopped
½ cup chestnuts, chopped
¼ cup mixed nuts, chopped
¼ cup cranberries
1 tbsp balsamic
Garnish
Fresh coriander and cranberries
METHOD
Mash the cooked squash with a fork. Add the baking powder, chickpea flour, water and salt and mix until combined. Leave in the fridge for at least 1 hour . This is very important, as it allows the mixture to harden up, otherwise it can be difficult to work with. **Cook the pearl barley according to packet instructions. You could swap this out for quinoa or buckwheat for a gluten free version.
Remove the dough from the fridge, and place on a floured surface. The dough should be easy to handle, and not too sticky. Roll in the flour, and knead for a few seconds.
Line a 35 x 35 baking tray with parchment paper, and then place the dough on the baking tray. Cover with a second piece of parchment paper and using your hands or a rolling pin, roll out the mixture. Fold the dough over at the edges, to make a 'crust'. Bake the crust in the oven for 10 minutes, whilst you make the filling.
For the filling, heat a saucepan with oil and add the garlic, and allow to cook for a few minutes. Then add in the chopped mushrooms, paprika and salt. Next add the chestnuts & mixed nuts. Remove from the heat and add to a bowl along with the cooked pearl barley, cranberries, and balsamic vinegar. Mix the filling together.
Remove the tart from the oven, and spoon over the filling evenly. Place back in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until nice and crispy. Top with fresh rocket, and cranberries.
Registered nutritionist (mBANT) (dipCNM), Nutritional Therapist (CNHC) and Naturopath (ND).
'It is my passion to use the latest evidence-based nutrition and my clinical experience to guide and help you to support your health & wellbeing'
Health hasn’t always been my journey. In fact during my teenage years I suffered with disordered eating. Living off low fat/low calorie foods, diet coke and black coffee, my body stopped being able to function. My skin was dry, my hair falling out, I had terrible gut issues (bloating, gas, and constipation) I lost my periods, complained of being cold and was constantly exhausted. If only I knew what I know now, that my brain and body were literally starved of nutrients.
Gradually I began to see that my destructive behaviours and habits were robbing me from living and enjoying life. It was a long road of re educating myself, eating nourishing foods, learning self-compassion, and actually finding the enjoyment in food.
Over time my skin cleared up, my hair grew, my energy came back, hormones re balanced, and I saw firsthand the power of diet and lifestyle modifications in recovering my own health.
Fast forward a few years I am now a qualified nutritionist helping to educate people on the effects of food as medicine, food as enjoyment and food as fuel.