Ratatouille Radish Tarts

Ratatouille is a dish bursting with every ingredient I adore.  Unfortunately, my boys don't share my love of these wonderful vegetables so I thought of a way I could make it more appealing, inspired by the flowering Kale on the coffee table!

Plus these look so delicate you could easily serve them for a dinner party starter. Simple but effective. 

I made these from bits I had in the fridge including a handy tub of salsa! I used radishes in place of onions, which gave an added a peppery flavour.

Ingredients Makes 4 tarts: 

• Drizzle olive oil
• One courgette
• One red pepper
• One aubergine
• Handful cherry tomatoes
• Handful sliced radishes
• 2 tablespoons red pesto
• 2 tablespoons salsa (or make your own simple version by combining chopped tomatoes, salt, pepper, garlic and oregano)
• Butter - melted to brush the pastry
• Filo pastry (I used 5 approximately 5 inch squares per tart)
• Mixed herbs to decorate

Pre heat your oven to 180 degrees or Gas Mark 4.

Finely chop your vegetables and stir fry in a wok with a drizzle of olive oil for 10 minutes.  Remember to keep back some thin slices of courgette and radish for the decoration.

Add your pesto and salsa and cook for a further 5 minutes. 

Melt a little butter in order to brush the filo pastry sheets. 

Unwrap your filo pastry, and cut approximately 5 inch squares. I used 5 per tart. 

Mother in law TIP: Wrap your filo pastry in a damp tea towel as it dries out as quickly as you can prepare it. 

Line your small tins with one sheet at a time brushing with butter as you go. Layer them randomly with the edges pointing upwards to create your ornamental cabbage effect. 

Spoon your ratatouille mix into the pastry tarts and top with thinly sliced courgette and radish. Sprinkle with mixed herbs (I used some flaked chilli in mine). 

Baked for 10-12 minutes until the pastry is golden and crispy. 

Serve straight in the tins or gently tip them out and serve immediately. 

Keep a roll of filo pastry in the freezer and make a version of these with any leftover vegetables in the fridge drawer! 

Ollie loved it but Sammy was only fooled for a short time! Mama - there are green bits in it!  

Food inspired by flowers. If you like this have a peek at my other recipes here.