Recipes

Chorizo Frittata Canapé and Cheddar Flan

By Chef Craig Flinn
“Frittata has always been one of my favourite brunch items but also an antipasti dish, served chilled with a spicy condiment. I wanted to try the elements of a classic Spanish frittata in a different way, using a sweet potato component and a rich, velvety cheese and egg baked custard flan. This is a rustic and colourful appetizer that has a variety of textures and flavours but still keeps the egg the star of the dish.”
Serves 24
Prep Time 20 min
Cook Time 75 min
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • Garlic and Smoked Cheddar Flan

    • 2 tbsp (30 mL) + 1 tsp (5mL) butter
    • 6 Cloves garlic, finely chopped
    • 6 Large eggs
    • 4 Egg yolks
    • 1 cup (250 mL) Milk
    • 1 cup (250 mL) 35% cream
    • Pinch Spanish paprika or dried pimenton
    • 1 tsp (5 mL) Salt
    • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
    • 1 ½ cups (375 mL) Smoked cheddar cheese, grated
    • 2 tbsp (30 mL) Fresh Italian parsley, chopped

  • Roasted Sweet Potato, Red Pepper and Corn Salsa

    • 1 Medium sized sweet potato, peeled and diced into ¼ inch cubes
    • 1 Corn, kernels removed
    • 2 tbsp (30 mL) Extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 tsp (5 mL) Chili powder
    • ½ tsp (2.5 mL) Cumin
    • Cayenne pepper
    • 1 Roasted red pepper, fresh or canned
    • ¼ cup (60 mL) Cilantro, chopped
    • 2 tsp (10 mL) Sherry vinegar
    • 1 Lime, juiced
    • Salt and pepper, to taste
    • Extra virgin olive oil

  • to assemble the canapé

    • 2 Links dry, cured chorizo sausage
    • 2 tbsp (30 mL) Olive oil
    • 1 Fresh baguette, sliced into ½ inch thick pieces on a slight bias

Instructions

  • Garlic and Smoked Cheddar Flan

    • Step 1

      In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and gently cook the garlic over medium heat, taking care not to let it turn brown.

    • Step 2

      After 3 or 4 minutes, scrape the garlic and butter into a mixing bowl using a rubber spatula. Add the eggs, milk, cream, paprika or pimenton, salt, and pepper and beat until well combined.

    • Step 3

      Fold in the cheese and parsley until well combined. Use the last teaspoon of butter to grease the bottom and sides of a large lasagne dish. Pour the cheese custard mixture into the greased pan.

    • Step 4

      Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and boil a kettle of water. Place a lasagne pan in a larger roasting pan and set on the middle rack of the oven. Pour the hot water into the roasting pan until it comes halfway up the sides of the lasagne pan. Bake the custard for about 40 minutes or until it is just set in the middle.

    • Step 5

      Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the counter before attempting to cut into the flan.

  • Roasted Sweet Potato, Red Pepper and Corn Salsa

    • Step 1

      Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

    • Step 2

      Toss the sweet potatoes and corn kernels in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper and mix well. Pour onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spread it around so it forms a single layer in the tray. Bake until soft and slightly golden on the edges, or about 17 to 20 minutes.

    • Step 3

      Open the oven door after 12 minutes and stir the vegetables around a bit so they cook evenly. When ready, scrape them into a mixing bowl.

    • Step 4

      Finely chop the roasted pepper and add it to the sweet potato and corn. Then add the cilantro, vinegar, lime juice, salt and pepper, and a couple more tablespoons of olive oil. Mix well and adjust the seasonings if desired.

  • Assembly

    • Step 1

      Just prior to serving, pre-heat your oven to broil. Cut the cooled egg flan (still at room temperature) into rectangular pieces that will roughly match the length of the sliced baguette but be about 2/3 the width.

    • Step 2

      Slice the chorizo sausages on a slight bias and quite thinly, approximately 1/8th inch thick or less. Heat a non-stick sauté pan and sauté the sausages in the oil for a few minutes to warm through. The paprika inside will colour the oil in the pan as they cook. When warmed through, turn off the heat and set aside.

    • Step 3

      Lay the slices of baguette onto a baking tray and toast on one side under the broiler. Place 2 or 3 slices of warmed chorizo on top of the bread in a single layer, overlapping slightly. Place a piece of cheese flan on top of the sausage and garnish the flan with about half a teaspoon of the salsa.

    • Step 4

      Garnish, if desired, with a sprig of cilantro or some chopped parsley or chives.

Paperclip IconTips

These hors d’oeuvres can be served at room temperature, as you would Spanish tapas.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving
Calories290
Fat18 g
Saturated Fat8 g
Trans Fat0 g
Carbohydrate17 g
Fibre1 g
Sugars2 g
Protein14 g
Sodium659 mg

You Might Also Like