Goat Cheese Tart: Perfect Pairing Ideas For Your Palate

Goat's cheese tarts are a versatile dish that can be served hot, warm or cold, making them a great option for a variety of occasions. The tanginess of goat's cheese means it pairs well with both sweet and savoury ingredients, from caramelised onions and thyme to apricot and stone fruit. The type of pastry you use can also make a big difference, with options including flaky pie dough, puff pastry, and a simple combination of flour, salt and butter.

Goat cheese tarts with mustard and tomatoes

Ingredients:

• Goat cheese (mild and creamy)
• Tomatoes (ripe and firm)
• Mustard (such as Dijon)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh herbs (such as parsley, basil, thyme)
• Puff pastry
• Onion (red or yellow)
• Eggs

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Prepare the filling by slicing the tomatoes and onions. You can roast the tomatoes beforehand with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper for extra flavour.
• Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into circles or desired shapes. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Score a border along the edge of each pastry circle, about 1/4 inch wide, using a sharp knife.
• Prick the pastry inside the score lines with a fork. This will prevent the pastry from puffing up too much during baking.
• Brush the mustard over the bottom of the pastry, staying within the scored border. You can also add a layer of pesto or another spread of your choice.
• Arrange the sliced tomatoes and onions on top of the mustard, creating a beautiful pattern.
• Sprinkle the tomatoes and onions with salt and pepper, and fresh herbs of your choice.
• In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs and goat cheese. Season this mixture with salt and pepper.
• Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the tomatoes and onions, making sure to stay within the border.
• Drizzle olive oil on top of the tarts.
• Place the tarts in the oven and bake for 20 to 40 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is cooked.
• Remove the tarts from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
• These tarts can be served hot, warm, or at room temperature. They are best enjoyed fresh but can also be reheated or served cold.

Tips and Variations:

• You can experiment with different types of mustard, such as whole grain or honey mustard, to find your favourite pairing.
• Try using different varieties of tomatoes, such as cherry tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes, for a change in flavour and texture.
• If you want to add some crunch to your tarts, consider adding a layer of chopped walnuts or pecans on top of the mustard.
• Feel free to mix and match different types of goat cheese to create unique flavour profiles.
• For a more substantial meal, serve these tarts with a side of baked potato wedges or a green salad.

Goat cheese tarts with caramelised onions and thyme

Goat's cheese tarts are a delicious dish, and there are many ways to prepare and serve them. Here is a recipe for goat's cheese tarts with caramelised onions and thyme, along with some suggestions for how to put your own twist on this classic dish.

Ingredients

For the pastry:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons ice water

For the filling:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 large sweet yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• Freshly ground black pepper

Method

• Combine the flour, butter, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is crumbly.
• Add the water and continue to mix until the dough clings together.
• Spray an 11-inch tart pan with cooking spray. Press the dough evenly into the pan and up the sides.
• Prick the bottom of the dough in several places with a fork. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a piece of parchment paper over the crust and fill with pie weights or old beans, rice, or lentils.
• Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the crust is lightly baked through. Let cool.
• Melt butter with oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or saute pan. Add the onion, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove the cover and continue cooking for another 20-30 minutes, or until the onions are very soft and golden.
• Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
• Drain off any excess fat or liquid and let the mixture cool.
• Stir in the goat cheese and thyme.
• Place the onion and cheese mixture into the prepared crust and spread evenly.
• Whisk the eggs and cream (or half-and-half) together in a small bowl. Add salt and black pepper. Pour over the onions.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the centre is firm and the tart is lightly golden.

Tips and Variations

This recipe is a great base for you to get creative and add your own twist. Here are some ideas:

• Try using different types of goat's cheese, such as chèvre, or combine a few different types of cheese in your tart for complementing flavours.
• Experiment with different types of crust, such as puff pastry, pie dough, or a cornmeal crust.
• Add some extra cheese on top of your tart, such as grated Parmesan or paper-thin pieces of French Goat Brie.
• Goat's cheese tarts pair well with a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as beets, berries, apricots, or caramelised onions and walnuts.
• If you're short on time, you can use a pre-made refrigerated pie crust instead of making your own.

Goat cheese tarts with spinach, potato and goat's cheese

A goat cheese tart is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit your taste buds and the season's best produce. Here is a recipe for a delicious and healthy spinach, potato, and goat's cheese tart, with some extra tips on how to customise your tart:

Ingredients:

• 9 ounces baby spinach or trimmed large spinach leaves
• 7 baby new potatoes, unpeeled (about 8 ounces)
• 9 ounces heavy cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• Pinch of ground cayenne pepper
• 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 5 ounces goat cheese, cut into 1/4 to 1/2-inch slices
• 7 ounces all-purpose flour, sifted
• 7 tablespoons chilled butter, cubed
• 1/2 to 1 medium egg, beaten

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wash and dry the spinach, removing any tough stalks and stems if using large leaves.
• In a saucepan, cook the spinach over low heat until it wilts, then drain and squeeze out the excess moisture before chopping it roughly.
• Steam or boil the potatoes until just cooked, then let them cool and slice them into 1/4-inch thick slices.
• In a bowl, whisk the eggs and add the cream, salt, pepper, lemon zest, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and grated Parmesan. Whisk together, then add the spinach and mix well.
• Make the shortcrust pastry by mixing the flour, salt, and butter in a food processor. Add the beaten egg gradually until the mixture is just moist enough to come together.
• Roll out the dough and line a 10-inch tart pan. Bake the pastry 'blind' by lining it with foil, parchment, or greaseproof paper and filling it with baking beans. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the pastry feels dry. Remove the paper and beans, brush with leftover beaten egg, and bake for another 2 minutes.
• Spread the potato slices over the base of the prepared tart and dot with the goat's cheese, reserving some slices for the top if desired.
• Gently spoon the spinach cream mixture over the cheese, filling the tart as high as possible without spilling.
• Place the pan in the oven and bake until the tart is golden brown and just set in the centre, about 35-40 minutes.
• Let the tart cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Tips for customisation:

• Mix and match cheeses: Experiment with different types of goat cheese, such as fresh Chèvre, Tomme de Chèvre Bethmale, or Sainte Maure de Touraine, to find complementing flavours.
• Try different crusts: Play around with flaky pie dough, puff pastry, or a simple combination of flour, salt, and butter to define the direction of your tart.
• Top it off with cheese: Add a little extra goat cheese on top of your tart, or try other cheeses like paper-thin pieces of Florette or French Goat Brie.
• Remember, you can always save some for later: Tarts generally save well and taste just as good at room temperature or chilled, so don't be afraid to make a bigger batch!

Goat cheese tarts with apricot and caramelised onion

Goat's cheese tarts are a delicious and versatile dish, and apricot and caramelised onion make for a fantastic combination. Here's a recipe and some tips to help you get started.

Ingredients

• Goat's cheese (a log form works well)
• Apricots (fresh or tinned)
• Onions
• Puff pastry
• Olive oil
• Balsamic reduction
• Fresh chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

Start by caramelising your onions. Slice the onions thinly and cook them in olive oil over high heat until they start to brown. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until they are deep golden and soft. This process can take around 15-20 minutes, and you may need to add small splashes of water or wine to prevent sticking.

Next, cut your puff pastry into equal squares and place them on a parchment-lined baking tray. You can brush the edges of the pastry with a beaten egg for a golden touch.

For the apricots, you can slice them thinly or chop them into small pieces. Spread a layer of goat's cheese onto each pastry square, leaving a small border. Top the cheese with your caramelised onions and apricots.

Bake the tarts in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and puffed.

Finally, remove the tarts from the oven and top with additional crumbled goat's cheese, a drizzle of balsamic reduction, and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips and Variations

• You can experiment with different types of goat's cheese, such as garlic-and-herb goat cheese or soft goat cheese, to find the flavour you like best.
• If you want to add a crunchy element, try adding some walnuts to your tart.
• For a touch of sweetness, you can include a drizzle of honey.
• To make your tarts ahead of time, prepare the components separately and store them in the fridge until you're ready to assemble and bake.

Goat cheese tarts with sweet onions

Ingredients

The ingredients for this recipe are simple: puff pastry, onions, butter, brown sugar, goat cheese, and thyme. You can also add salt and pepper to taste.

Method

Start by preparing the onions. Slice one large onion thinly and sauté in butter over medium heat for about 15 minutes. Then add the sugar and continue to sauté for another 10 minutes, until the onions are caramelised and golden. If the onions are browning too quickly, adjust the heat. This process of caramelising the onions is key to adding depth of flavour to the tarts.

Next, prepare the puff pastry. Cut the pastry into circles or rectangles, depending on your preference. If using circles, use a biscuit cutter to create uniform shapes. For rectangles, simply cut the pastry sheet into your desired size. Remember to reserve some pastry if you plan to create a border for your tarts.

Now it's time to assemble the tarts. Spread the caramelised onions onto the pastry, staying within the borders if you've created them. Crumble or spread the goat cheese on top of the onions, and add thyme for extra flavour.

Finally, bake the tarts in the oven until the pastry is golden brown. The baking time will vary depending on the size of your tarts, but it should be around 20 to 30 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

These tarts can be served warm or at room temperature, making them a convenient option for entertaining. They pair well with a glass of dry white wine, or even a cocktail like La Piscine: champagne on the rocks.

For a more substantial meal, serve the tarts with a side salad or roasted vegetables. The sweetness of the onions in the tarts also goes well with a tangy vinaigrette or a fruity chutney.

Get creative and feel free to experiment with additional ingredients. Goat cheese is a versatile cheese that pairs well with both fruits and vegetables. For a savoury twist, try adding caramelised shallots, walnuts, leeks, or even bacon to your tarts.

Enjoy the process of making these delicious goat cheese tarts with sweet onions, and don't be afraid to add your own unique twist!

Frequently asked questions