Mini Veggie Tarts with Meaty Pate

Yields about 20 3-inch cookies

For cookies:

4 oz. zucchini, peeled and cut into medium chunks

1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into medium chunks

¾ cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole-wheat flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon of ghee, melted

1/4 of a teaspoon of garlic

1/4 of a teaspoon of oregano

1/4 of a teaspoon of cumin

1/4 of a teaspoon of cinnamon

1/4 of a teaspoon of chili powder

For pate:

1 pound (454 gram) ground beef, brake in small pieces

2 tablespoons vegetable oil + more if need it

1 yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

3 tablespoons ketchup

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

1/2 teaspoon of paprika

1/2 teaspoon of thyme

1 cup water, room temperature

To serve:

yellow onion, chopped finely

fresh parsley, chopped

some salt to taste

To make puree, place zucchini and carrots chunks in a medium pot and cover with cold water. Bring to boil on medium-high heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes until veggies are tender. Drain the water and leave it in a pot for a couple of minutes to cool.

Meanwhile, melt the ghee and mix with spices. Using immersion mixer, puree veggies, and measure 1 cup. Add pureed veggies into ghee. Mix well.

In a medium bowl add flours, salt, and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to wet ones. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface.

Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C). Place parchment paper on a large cookie sheet and grease with vegetable oil. Spray with non-stick baking spray.

Using a rolling pin, start at the center, and begin to roll the dough away from your body, rotating the dough 90 degrees every few rolls to ensure even thickness. Once cookie dough reaches 1/4 inch-thick, cut into circles with a cookie cutter. I used a 3-inch cookie cutter. Place cookies on a prepared sheet and bake for about 10-14 minutes: 5-7 minutes on a lower shelf and 5-7 minutes on the upper one.

Remove from the oven and cool on a cooling rack. Cookies might be done in advance and store in an air-tight container.

To make a pate with ground beef, coat the bottom of the thick-bottomed sauté pan with oil. Heat the pan on medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering. Add chopped onion, some salt, and ground black pepper. Stir to coat the onions with the oil. Spread the onions out evenly over the pan and let cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic in the end.

Add ground beef, stir and cook through for about more 3-4 minutes. Add celery, tomatoes, spices, ketchup, and water. Mix well. Sprinkle with some salt and simmer for about 15 minutes covered. Stir occasionally until almost all water evaporated. Remove from the heat and cool for 3-4 minutes.

Puree in a food processor. Check for spices and add if needed.

Mix chopped onions, parsley, and some salt. Using your hands, massage through.

Lay one tablespoon on a cookie and garnish with the onion-parsley mixture on a top. Serve immediately.