Ritzy Spinach Artichoke Tartlets

March 29, 2011 26 comments Article Appetizers, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetables

The finalists were announced finally for the Ritz recipe contest, unfortunately I didn’t make finals. It’s okay though, there were over 1,400 entries… that is a lot of competition. Looks like I have to find another way to fund my culinary school. If anybody knows of any good scholarships or ways to get money for culinary school PLEASE let me know!

Here is my entry for the Ritz recipe challenge. I used crushed Ritz crackers in the tartlet dough to give it some extra flavor. These little bites will have your guests drooling over the appetizer table. I ended up eating the entire batch over a few days!

Ritzy Spinach Artichoke Tartlets

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Servings tartlets

Ingredients

12 ounces all-purpose flour about 2 cups
8 ounces cold unsalted butter cubed (16 tablespoons)
4 ounces cold water about 1/2 cup
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup finely crushed Ritz Roasted Vegetable crackers
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach
2 14-ounce cans artichoke hearts (blended into small pieces)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup grated pepper jack cheese
30 Ritz Roasted Vegetable crackers

Instructions

Blend the flour, 2/3 cup crushed Ritz crackers, salt and butter with an electric mixer until roughly combined; small lumps of butter should still be visible. Combine the water and vinegar and add liquid slowly just until the dough comes together. Remove the dough, pat into a ball and cut in half. Flatten each half in plastic wrap into a thick disk. Wrap well and refrigerate for 1 hour.
To prepare the crust, remove dough and let it sit for 30 minutes at room temperature, then roll on a light floured surface into a 1/8 inch thick crust. Cut circles out of the dough and gently press the crust into the edges of well-greased miniature tart pans or miniature cupcake trays, trimming away any excess crust.
For the filling, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, cheese, spinach and artichoke hearts in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
Sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers over the bottom of each tart. Next, spoon one tablespoon of filling into each tart.
Bake at 375F until tarts are fully cooked and cheese begins to turn golden (about 30 minutes).
Remove tarts from the oven and insert one Ritz cracker into the filling of each tart, cool and serve.

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26 comments

Sandra's Easy Cooking March 29, 2011 at 7:21 am -

Oh my goodness, this look so beautiful and tasty! I love your presentation and photos too!
Island Vittles March 29, 2011 at 7:31 am -

those look delicious! Ritz crackers are one of my secret cravings from childhood…Theresa
Savour the Senses March 29, 2011 at 7:37 am -

Thank you! =)
Kristen March 29, 2011 at 8:09 am -

I wouldn’t be able to share any of those, they look so delicious. I have a weakness for spinach and artichoke.
RavieNomNoms March 29, 2011 at 8:19 am -

I think that looks so amazing! I really love everything that is in this…I have always been a big fan of Ritz crackers, just by themselves they are yummy
natalie (the sweets life) March 29, 2011 at 9:04 am -

awww what a fun way to use Ritz!
Angela@RecipesFromMyMom March 29, 2011 at 2:15 pm -

So sorry you didn’t make it into the finals. Your tarts are adorable. Wish I knew of scholarships for you. I keep thinking I will take some culinary classes at our junior college but I don’t even know how much that costs.
Kankana March 29, 2011 at 4:31 pm -

This is a brilliant appetizer. Really love the presentation. I would love to try that sometime 🙂 I am co-hosting the Hearth and Soul Hop, would really like you to share your recipe with us 🙂
Lindsey@Lindselicious March 29, 2011 at 5:27 pm -

Oooh this is right up my alley! Looks soooo good!
Savour the Senses March 29, 2011 at 5:38 pm -

For sure, is there anything I need to do?
Happy When Not Hungry March 29, 2011 at 5:54 pm -

These tartlets so delicious and look so cute!
Carla March 29, 2011 at 6:22 pm -

looks soooo yummy. great idea for parties.
Blackswan March 29, 2011 at 10:24 pm -

This is already a winning recipe in my heart 🙂 Lovely! Hey, I’m following u now @ Twitter & “liked” you. Chk out mine too @ my FB Fanpage!
Becky March 30, 2011 at 4:34 am -

These little tarts are so cute and perfect for a party. S creative to use the Ritz crumbs in the tartlet dough! Maybe you could start with an internship at a restaurant. Just a thought!
Kita March 30, 2011 at 6:43 am -

Love this! My BF loves artichokes and I am always looking for new ways to serve them to him. His mom makes an appetizer that he just adores so this will be perfect (not hers (I learned a long time ago to never try to recreate a mom recipe), still delicious!) for our next get together. Thank you!
Lindsey @ trail to train March 30, 2011 at 8:51 am -

I’m so hungry now! I LOVE everything about this recipe. Printing it, making it at some point and surly loving it!
Thanks!
Alissa March 30, 2011 at 9:18 am -

Aww I wish you won! These look so cute and yummy!!!
Savour the Senses March 30, 2011 at 11:25 am -

yay I’m glad to see that people are using the print option! =)
Savour the Senses March 30, 2011 at 11:30 am -

haha perrrfect!
Liz March 30, 2011 at 3:29 pm -

What a fabulous appetizer! YUM!
Christine @http://christinespantry.blogspot.com March 30, 2011 at 6:13 pm -

Hi, sorry you didn’t make the finals. What a wonderful appetizer. Well done. I am in the same boat as you are, I’m also looking for ways to get money for culinary school.
The Food Hound March 30, 2011 at 6:29 pm -

This is very cute and chic!! Love it! Ritz crackers are such a throwback, so these would be perfect for a 60s themed party or something!
Savour the Senses March 30, 2011 at 9:05 pm -

Yeah, it’s hard. I don’t even know where to begin looking for scholarships… Let me know if you find any good ideas and I will do the same!
Christine @christinespantry.blogspot.com March 30, 2011 at 9:42 pm -

Thanks for the reply. It is very hard. I don’t have a clue where to look for scholarships. I sure will let you know if I have anything. Keep in touch!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet April 4, 2011 at 10:46 am -

These would definitely be a huge hit at a party!

Ritzy Spinach Artichoke Tartlets