Cheese and Spinach Tarts

🧀 South African Cheese & Spinach Tartlets

🛒 Ingredients (Makes ±12–18 tartlets)

For the pastry (or use ready-made shortcrust):

• 1½ cups cake flour
• 125 g cold butter (cubed)
• 1 egg yolk
• 2–3 tbsp cold water
• Pinch of salt

For the filling:

• 1 tbsp butter or oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 250 g fresh spinach (or 1 cup well-drained frozen spinach)
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup fresh cream
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup feta (optional but very traditional in SA versions)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional but recommended)

👩‍🍳 Method

1️⃣ Make the pastry (skip if using ready-made)

1. Rub butter into flour and salt until it resembles breadcrumbs.
2. Add egg yolk and just enough cold water to form a dough.
3. Wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
4. Roll out and cut circles to fit a greased muffin tin.
5. Prick bases with a fork.

(Optional: Blind bake at 180°C for 8–10 minutes for extra crispness.)

2️⃣ Prepare the filling

1. Sauté onion in butter until soft.
2. Add garlic and cook briefly.
3. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
4. Drain very well and squeeze out excess moisture. Chop finely.

3️⃣ Mix filling

1. Beat eggs and cream together.
2. Stir in cheddar, feta, spinach mixture, seasoning, and nutmeg.

4️⃣ Assemble & bake

1. Spoon filling into pastry cases (¾ full).
2. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20–25 minutes until golden and set.
3. Cool slightly before removing from tin.

🌿 South African Tips

• Many home cooks use mature cheddar for stronger flavour.
• A pinch of Aromat seasoning is a very local touch.
• These are often made crustless for low-carb tea spreads.

🥂 Serving Ideas

• Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Perfect for padkos (road trips), baby showers, or alongside a braai spread.