Arugula, Salmon, and Leek Tart Recipe

By
Sydney Oland
Sydney Oland: Contributing Writer at Serious Eats
Sydney Oland
Sydney Oland lives in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, where she develops recipes and owns and operates three businesses: a bean-to-bar chocolate company, an ice cream company, and a collective food production space. Previously, she wrote brunch and British food recipe columns for Serious Eats.
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Updated April 29, 2019
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Sydney Oland

We're starting to get into the season of fantastic greens, and this recipe calls for one of my favorites. Arugula (also known as rocket) is prepared in two ways—chopped and quickly cooked with leeks for the tart filling, as well as lightly dressed and served on top, adding its characteristic bright, bitter flavor to an otherwise rich, creamy dish.

Salmon joins the leeks and arugula, which cook together in a mixture of cream and eggs, in a manner similar to a quiche. That small piece of salmon can feed a crowd, making this a great, budget-friendly recipe for a brunch or light lunch. I prefer this dish at room temperature; tuck it in a picnic basket or take it along to a potluck with a light white wine or a few cold ales.

Note: You can make this with a sweetened pie crust, or just omit the sugar from the recipe printed.

Recipe Details

Arugula, Salmon, and Leek Tart Recipe

Active 25 mins
Total 70 mins
Serves 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 recipe pie dough (see note)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 leek, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
  • 5 ounces baby arugula, divided
  • 3/4 pound salmon, skinned and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice from 1 lemon

Directions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 425[°]. Roll our pie crust and place in a 12 inch tart pan. Trim edges. Prick pie crust all over with a fork. Transfer to freezer for at least 15 minutes. When ready to bake, place on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven.

  2. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium high heat until melted. Add leek and cook, stirring often until leek is soft, about 4 minutes. Roughly chop half of arugula and add to the skillet. Cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer contents to a large bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper and allow to cool.

  3. Whisk together cream, eggs, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Scatter leek mixture over bottom of tart, followed by salmon pieces. Pour cream mixture over and place the tart back on the baking sheet in the oven. Cook until cream mixture is set and salmon is cooked, about 20 minutes.

  4. Toss the remaining arugula with olive oil and vinegar and season to taste with salt and pepper. Allow the tart to cool for 15 minutes then serve tart topped with dressed arugula.

Special equipment

12 inch bottomless tart pan

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