Recipes and Images from Real Delicious by Chrissy Freer, Murdoch Books. 

Quinoa-crusted cheese tarts with pumpkin and crisp sage

Unlike traditional pastry, a quinoa crust is super-healthy – it provides a good dose of protein, fibre, manganese and phosphorous. Roasted pumpkin is naturally sweet, perfect in this tangy blue-cheese filling.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Makes 4

150 g (51/2 oz/3/4 cup) quinoa, rinsed
375 ml (13 fl oz/11/2 cups) home-made or low-salt vegetable stock
500 g (1 lb 2 oz) peeled and seeded pumpkin (winter squash), diced (see tips)
1 tablespoon chopped sage, plus small sage leaves to garnish
2 teaspoons honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
35 g (11/4 oz/1/3 cup) finely grated parmesan cheese (see tips)
1 egg, plus 1 egg white
Olive oil spray
1/4 cup chopped herbs, such as chives and parsley
130 g (41/2 oz) fresh ricotta cheese
75 g (23/4 oz) blue cheese, crumbled (see tips)

Place the quinoa and stock in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 12 minutes or until the stock has been absorbed. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a large tray with baking paper. Combine the pumpkin with the chopped sage, honey and 2 teaspoons of the oil and spread over the tray. Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper and roast for 25–30 minutes until tender.

Mix together the quinoa, parmesan, egg and white and season well.

Lightly spray four 12 cm (41/2 inch) round non-stick fluted tart tins with oil (see tips). Press the quinoa mixture firmly into the tins to form a thick crust. Place on a large baking tray and bake for 15 minutes or until light golden.

*Mix together the ricotta, blue cheese and the *chopped herbs and spread a little into each tart crust. Top with the roasted pumpkin and bake for 3–4 minutes to warm through.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a small saucepan over medium–high heat. Add the sage leaves and stir for 1–2 minutes until crisp. Drain on paper towel. Serve the tarts topped with crisp sage leaves.

TIPS
This recipe is vegetarian if you use parmesan and blue cheeses made with non-animal rennet.

You will need about 750 g (1 lb 10 oz) pumpkin with the rind on to yield 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) flesh.

Be sure to use well-greased non-stick tart tins or the crusts will stick.