Have you tried cooking with ramps? The wild leeks, native to the forests of eastern North America, are often the first edible plants to break through the soil in the early spring. Their season is short, but their unique flavor somewhere between garlic and onion is a treat. Brightened with lemon zest and dolloped with a cheese sauce, this mushroom and ramp tart (made with frozen puff pastry) makes a great light meal when served with a salad. If you can’t find ramps at your local market, scallions or chives are a great substitute.
SERVES 4-6
INGREDIENTS
4 tbsp. olive oil
10 oz. button mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 shallot, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tsp. finely chopped thyme leaves, plus whole leaves to garnish
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
20 ramps (about 4 oz.), trimmed
4 oz. goat cheese, softened
½ cup freshly grated parmesan
2 tbsp. heavy cream
2 tbsp. lemon zest, divided
1 egg yolk
1 sheet frozen, thawed puff pastry
Fleur de sel, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Heat 3 tbsp. oil in a 12″ skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, shallot, and salt and pepper; stir to coat in oil, and cover skillet. Cook until mushrooms release most of their liquid, about 5 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until all liquid is evaporated and mushrooms are browned, about 10 minutes more. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool.
2. Return skillet to heat along with remaining oil and butter. Add ramps; cover, and cook until barely tender, about 8 minutes. Uncover and cook, tossing occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes more. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
3. Heat oven to 375°. In a medium bowl, stir together goat cheese, parmesan, cream, 1 tbsp. lemon zest, egg yolk, and salt and pepper until smooth; set aside. Place puff pastry on a floured work surface and roll into a 16″-long rectangle. Transfer dough to a 14″ x 4″ tart pan and let excess hang over edge. Spread mushrooms over bottom of dough; place dollops of cheese mixture over mushrooms and using your fingers or a spatula, spread cheese as much as possible over mushrooms. Arrange ramps lengthwise over cheese and mushrooms, and then trim and discard excess pastry from tart pan. Bake tart until crust is golden brown, about 30 minutes.
4. Transfer tart to a wire rack and let cool; unmold tart and transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle remaining lemon zest over the top of the tart along with thyme leaves and fleur de sel. Serve at room temperature.
