Description
These Mushroom Shallot and Herbed Goat Cheese Tarts are a delightful savory appetizer or light meal option featuring flaky puff pastry filled with a flavorful mix of sautéed mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and creamy herbed goat cheese. Perfectly golden and garnished with fresh thyme, they offer a sophisticated blend of earthy and tangy flavors in a rustic tart form.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff 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
Garnish
- Fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Filling: In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter together with the olive oil. Sauté the finely chopped shallots until they become translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes. Then add 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, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Season the mixture with salt and pepper according to your taste. Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly to handle easily.
- Prepare 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 and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
- Assemble Tarts: Spoon a generous amount of the mushroom-shallot mixture onto the center of each puff pastry square. Crumble the herbed goat cheese evenly over the mushroom filling to add creamy richness.
- Fold and Brush: Fold the edges of each puff pastry square up and over the filling to create a rustic tart shape. Use a brush to apply the beaten egg onto the exposed edges of the pastry. This egg wash will give the tarts a beautiful, golden, glossy finish when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the tarts for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown, indicating that it is fully cooked and crisp.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the tarts from the oven and garnish with fresh thyme leaves for a fragrant, herbal touch. Allow the tarts to cool for a few minutes before serving to let the filling set slightly for best texture.
Notes
- For a crisper crust, make sure the puff pastry is well chilled before rolling and cutting.
- You can use any variety of mushrooms, such as cremini, button, or shiitake, depending on your flavor preference.
- Herbed goat cheese can be substituted with plain goat cheese mixed with fresh herbs if unavailable.
- The tarts can be made ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Serve warm for best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
