Description
These Mushroom Shallot and Herbed Goat Cheese Tarts are delightful savory pastries featuring a buttery puff pastry crust filled with a flavorful sautéed mushroom and shallot mixture, topped with creamy herbed goat cheese. Perfect as an appetizer or light meal, they are easy to prepare and bake to a golden, flaky perfection with a hint of fresh thyme to finish.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
- All-purpose flour (for dusting)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Filling
- 2 cups mushrooms (any variety), finely chopped
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 oz herbed goat cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh thyme leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the tarts.
- Prepare Filling: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and melt the butter together with olive oil. Add the chopped shallots and sauté until they become translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Cook Mushrooms: Add the finely chopped mushrooms to the skillet and cook until they release their moisture and become tender, about 5-7 minutes. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, then remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
- Roll Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to slightly thin it. Cut the pastry into equal-sized squares or rectangles based on your desired tart size.
- Assemble Tarts: Arrange the pastry squares on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon the mushroom and shallot mixture evenly onto each piece, then crumble the herbed goat cheese over the filling.
- Fold and Brush: Fold the edges of each pastry square over the filling to create a rustic tart shape. Brush the exposed pastry edges generously with the beaten egg to ensure a beautiful golden finish when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the tarts are puffed up and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the tarts from the oven and garnish with fresh thyme leaves. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- If you prefer, use a mix of mushrooms such as cremini, shiitake, or button for deeper flavor.
- Be sure to cool the mushroom filling before assembling to prevent soggy pastry.
- These tarts can be served warm or at room temperature.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute the goat cheese with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Leftover tarts can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven to maintain crispness.