Goat Cheese Delight: Tartlets With A Tangy Twist

what is a goat cheese tartlet

Goat cheese tartlets are a delicious appetizer or snack that can be made in a variety of ways. The base of the tartlets is typically made with puff pastry, which is filled or topped with a combination of ingredients such as caramelized onions, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, thyme, or roasted cherry tomatoes. The goat cheese is often crumbled or spread over the pastry, adding a creamy texture and tangy flavor to the tartlets. These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties or holiday gatherings and can be served warm or at room temperature. They are a great option for those looking for a savory and addictive treat to impress their guests.

Characteristics Values
Type of Dish Appetizer, Snack, First Course, Side Dish
Flavor Sweet and Savory
Ingredients Puff Pastry, Goat Cheese, Onions, Olive Oil, Butter, Sugar, Thyme, Salt, Pepper, Balsamic Vinegar, Honey, Rosemary, Cayenne Pepper, Flour, Butter, Mustard, Cream, Egg, Parsley, White Wine
Preparation Method Sauteing, Baking, Spreading, Stuffing, Drizzling, Roasting, Scooping, Crumbling, Sprinkling, Drizzling, Scoring, Pricking, Brushing
Baking Temperature 375°F, 400°F, 392°F, 200°C, 205°C
Baking Time 25-30 minutes, 10-12 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes
Serving Temperature Warm, Room Temperature
Serving Size Bite-sized, 2 by 3 inch rectangles, 4 inch squares
Accompaniments Champagne, Chilled White Wine

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How to make goat cheese tartlets

Goat cheese tartlets are a delicious appetizer or main course, depending on the occasion and your preferences. They are light and delicate, with puff pastry, creamy goat cheese, and sweet caramelized onions flavoured with syrupy balsamic vinegar and fresh rosemary. Here is a detailed recipe for how to make these mouth-watering goat cheese tartlets.

Ingredients:

  • Puff pastry
  • Goat cheese
  • Onions
  • Olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Honey
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme

Steps to Make Goat Cheese Tartlets:

First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 degrees Celsius). Slice the onions thinly and sauté them in olive oil until they become soft and caramelized. Add balsamic vinegar and cook until it evaporates. Add honey, salt, pepper, and rosemary to the onions and mix well.

Now, cut out circles of puff pastry using a cookie cutter. The circles should be at least 3 inches wide. Place these circles into a mini muffin tin, creating the base of your tartlets.

Sprinkle some crumbled goat cheese into each tartlet, and then top it with the onion mixture. You can cover and refrigerate the tartlets at this stage if you plan to bake them later.

Bake the goat cheese tartlets for 10-12 minutes, until the pastry turns golden brown and the cheese melts. Allow the tartlets to cool slightly before serving them warm.

Tips:

You can make these tartlets ahead of time and freeze them in the tin. Then, when you're ready to serve, pop them in the oven to warm them up. You can also experiment with different ingredients, such as adding bacon, mac, blue cheese, or roasted cherry tomatoes.

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Caramelized onions and goat cheese

Once the onions are caramelized, they are combined with the goat cheese to create a creamy mixture. This mixture is then spread onto a puff pastry base, creating a savoury-sweet or tangy and sweet contrast in the tart. The puff pastry is often store-bought, pre-made, or made from scratch using plain flour, whole wheat flour, butter, and water. The pastry is cut into circles or rectangles and placed into mini muffin tins or lined baking sheets to form the tart shells.

Before baking, the tarts are often topped with additional ingredients to enhance their flavour and presentation. Some common toppings include thyme, rosemary, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. The tarts are then baked until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted, creating a delicious appetizer or lunch option. They can be served warm or at room temperature and are often cut into bite-size pieces for easy consumption.

The combination of flaky or crumbly pastry, creamy or whipped goat cheese, and sweet caramelized onions creates a delightful sensory experience. The tarts can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen, making them a convenient option for entertaining. They pair well with a variety of sides, such as salads, champagne, or a glass of dry white wine.

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Goat cheese tartlets with roasted cherry tomatoes

A goat cheese tartlet is a delicious, light and delicate appetizer that is perfect for any holiday party. The flakiness of the puff pastry, the richness of the creamy goat cheese, and the sweetness of the roasted cherry tomatoes come together in a burst of flavors. Here is a detailed recipe for making "Goat Cheese Tartlets with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes".

Ingredients:

  • Puff pastry
  • Goat cheese
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Salt and pepper
  • Fresh thyme leaves
  • Red onion (optional)
  • Red pesto (optional)
  • Pecorino or Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions:

Start by preheating your oven to 200 degrees Celsius or 392 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium oven-safe dish, add the cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good mix and place the dish in the oven for about 15 minutes until the tomatoes are roasted and just about to burst.

While the tomatoes are roasting, prepare the puff pastry. Roll out the pastry and place it on the lined baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, score the pastry along the edge, leaving a border of about 2 centimeters. Be careful not to cut through the dough completely. You can also use a cookie cutter to create circles or other desired shapes for your tartlets.

Now, it's time to assemble the tartlets. Spread a layer of red pesto or passata onto the pastry, avoiding the edges. If using red pesto, sprinkle some pecorino or Parmesan cheese over it. Add sliced or diced red onions if you wish for an extra layer of sweetness. Then, place the roasted cherry tomatoes on top. Crumble or sprinkle the goat cheese generously over the tartlets. Finally, scatter some fresh thyme leaves and drizzle olive oil on top.

Bake the tartlets in the oven until the pastry is golden brown. This should take around 10-15 minutes, depending on your oven. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Once done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. Garnish with fresh rocket leaves for an extra peppery kick, and serve warm.

These goat cheese tartlets with roasted cherry tomatoes are best enjoyed fresh and warm. However, if you have any leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to two days and reheat them before serving. You can also freeze the unbaked tartlets for later use. Simply assemble the tartlets, cover them, and freeze them until you're ready to bake and serve.

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Puff pastry and goat cheese

Goat cheese tartlets are known for their light and delicate texture, with the flakiness of the puff pastry providing a perfect contrast to the rich and creamy goat cheese. The process of making these tartlets is relatively simple and involves preparing the puff pastry base, adding the goat cheese, and incorporating other ingredients to create unique flavours.

When making goat cheese tartlets, it is essential to start with a good-quality puff pastry. You can either make your own puff pastry from scratch or opt for a convenient store-bought option. If you're short on time, ready-rolled puff pastry sheets can be a lifesaver. However, if you want to make your own, the process involves cutting butter into flour, adding any desired seasonings, and mixing until you achieve a smooth dough.

Once the puff pastry is prepared, it's time to add the star ingredient—goat cheese. The type of goat cheese you choose can vary depending on your preference. Some recipes call for crumbled goat cheese, while others suggest using soft and creamy goat cheese that can be spread over the pastry. The key is to select a good-quality goat cheese to ensure the best flavour and texture.

After adding the goat cheese, you can get creative with additional ingredients. Caramelised onions are a popular choice, as they provide a sweet and savoury contrast to the tanginess of the goat cheese. Thyme is often added to enhance the earthy flavours, while a drizzle of balsamic vinegar can add a hint of sweetness and complexity. Other ingredients like rosemary, honey, and pepper can also be incorporated to create unique flavour profiles.

Finally, assembling and baking the goat cheese tartlets is the last step. It's important to ensure that the puff pastry is chilled before baking to achieve the desired flakiness. The tartlets are then baked until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted, creating a delicious and indulgent treat that can be served warm or at room temperature.

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Goat cheese tartlets as an appetizer

Goat cheese tartlets are a fantastic appetizer option for any gathering, from holiday parties to supper clubs. They are a great way to greet your guests, especially during the colder months. These bite-sized treats are light and delicate, with a flaky pastry base, a creamy cheese filling, and a variety of toppings.

The key to a great goat cheese tartlet is the combination of flavours and textures. The tanginess of goat cheese pairs beautifully with sweet toppings like caramelized onions, roasted cherry tomatoes, or balsamic vinegar. The cheese also goes well with earthy herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and parsley. For a more gourmet take, try adding mushrooms, shallots, and garlic to the mix.

When preparing the tartlets, it is important to ensure the pastry is cold before baking to achieve a light and flaky texture. Cut the puff pastry into circles or squares, depending on the shape of your tin, and fit them into a mini muffin tin to create little tartlet shells. For added flavour, brush the pastry edges with milk or egg wash before baking to achieve a golden colour.

To assemble the tartlets, fill each shell with crumbled goat cheese, then top with your desired toppings. You can either bake the tartlets immediately or cover and refrigerate or freeze them to bake later. Bake for 10-12 minutes in a preheated oven until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Serve warm or at room temperature, and enjoy the delicious combination of flavours and textures in every bite!

Frequently asked questions

A goat cheese tartlet is a small savoury pastry dish filled with goat cheese and other ingredients.

Common ingredients include puff pastry, onions, thyme, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, honey, salt, and pepper.

Goat cheese tartlets typically take around 25-30 minutes to bake in the oven. However, additional time is required for preparation, and some recipes recommend allowing the tartlets to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

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