Rustic Goat Cheese and Walnut Tarts Recipe: A Dreamy Delight

Crafting delectable goat cheese and walnut tarts brings a spark of culinary magic to your kitchen.

Creamy textures blend perfectly with crunchy nuts in this elegant pastry.

Delightful layers of flavor await your taste buds.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully constructed bite.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these tarts promise to impress without overwhelming your cooking skills.

Crisp pastry shells cradle rich, tangy filling that melts beautifully.

Goat Cheese and Walnut Tarts – What It Takes

• Puff Pastry: Light and flaky foundation for the tarts, provides crisp texture and golden color. Best when freshly thawed and kept cold before use.

• Goat Cheese, Herbs de Provence: Creamy cheese with aromatic herbal blend creating rich flavor profile. Soft goat cheese works best for smooth spreading.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall taste and balance flavors.

• Walnuts: Crunchy nuts adding textural contrast and nutty depth. Roughly chopped for even distribution.
• Honey: Sweet drizzle providing natural sweetness and glossy finish. Local raw honey recommended for best flavor.
• Fresh Thyme: Delicate herb garnish bringing fresh herbal note and visual appeal.

• Egg, Warm Water: Binding mixture creating golden sheen and helping pastry edges crisp and brown. Use fresh room temperature egg for best results.

Goat Cheese Tart Instructions with Walnut Crunch

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a sizzling 425°F.

Get ready for some serious pastry magic.

Step 2: Unleash the Pastry

Grab your thawed puff pastry and roll it out like a pro.

Slice eight perfect 5-inch circles.

With a sharp knife, trace a delicate border around each circle, creating a gorgeous raised edge that’ll make your tarts pop.

Step 3: Cheese Please

Plop a generous dollop of creamy goat cheese right in the center of each pastry circle.

Sprinkle some salt and pepper to wake up the flavors.

Dust the cheese with Herbs de Provence for that extra flavor punch.

Step 4: Nutty and Sweet

Scatter chopped walnuts over the goat cheese like delicious confetti.

Drizzle a golden stream of honey, letting it cascade over the nuts and cheese.

Step 5: Egg Wash Wonder

Whisk an egg with a splash of warm water until it’s smooth and silky.

This magic mixture will give your tarts a gorgeous golden glow.

Step 6: Gilding the Edges

Take a pastry brush and lovingly paint the outer rim of each pastry circle with the egg wash.

Watch it transform into a shimmering golden border.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide those tarts into the oven and let them bake for 20 minutes.

You’re looking for a crispy, golden-brown pastry that’ll make your mouth water.

Step 8: Final Flourish

Pull the tarts out of the oven and crown them with fresh thyme sprigs.

If you’re feeling extra indulgent, drizzle another swirl of honey on top.

Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Entertaining Tips for Goat Cheese Walnut Tarts

• Ensure puff pastry is completely thawed but still cold for the flakiest, most delicate texture possible.
• Swap goat cheese with feta or ricotta for different flavor profiles if you prefer a milder or more tangy taste.
• Toast walnuts briefly in a dry skillet before adding to intensify their nutty flavor and create extra crispness.
• Apply egg wash sparingly and evenly to achieve a beautiful golden-brown, glossy finish on the pastry edges.
• Let tarts cool for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow cheese to set and prevent burning your mouth while maintaining a warm, delightful temperature.

Save Goat Cheese and Walnut Tarts

• Store leftover tarts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap each tart individually in plastic wrap to prevent moisture and maintain crispness.
• Warm tarts at 350°F for 8-10 minutes to restore the crispy pastry texture. Avoid using microwave, which will make the crust soggy.
• Place cooled tarts in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Best enjoyed fresh on the day of baking, as puff pastry loses its crispness when stored for multiple days.

Sweets and Sips for Goat Cheese Walnut Tarts

• Pair Zesty White Wine: Choose a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the tangy goat cheese and balance the sweet honey notes.
• Create Fresh Salad Side: Toss mixed greens with arugula, sliced pears, toasted walnuts, and a light champagne vinaigrette to enhance the tart's flavors.
• Elevate with Herb Infusion: Serve alongside a small rosemary-infused olive oil for drizzling, adding an aromatic herbal dimension to the tart's rich texture.
• Match with Sparkling Aperitif: Pour a light prosecco or sparkling rosé to cut through the creamy goat cheese and provide a refreshing contrast.

Goat Cheese Tarts Festive Adjustments

• Vegan Goat Cheese Alternative: Replace traditional goat cheese with cashew-based vegan cheese, using a blend of soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice for creamy texture.
• Gluten-Free Pastry Option: Swap puff pastry with gluten-free pie crust or almond flour-based pastry dough to accommodate wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Keto Adaptation: Use thin slices of zucchini or eggplant as the base instead of pastry, topped with soft cream cheese and crushed pecans for a carb-conscious version.
• Mediterranean Herb Remix: Substitute Herbs de Provence with za'atar spice blend, adding sumac and sesame seeds for an authentic Middle Eastern flavor profile.

FAQs

• Why use Herbs de Provence in this recipe?

Herbs de Provence adds a classic French flavor profile with its blend of dried herbs like thyme, basil, rosemary, and oregano, which perfectly complement the tangy goat cheese and sweet honey.

• Can I substitute the walnuts with another nut?

Yes, you can easily swap walnuts with almonds, pecans, or pine nuts. Each nut will bring a slightly different texture and flavor to the tart.

• How do I know the puff pastry is cooked correctly?

Look for a golden brown color and crisp edges. The pastry should be puffy and flaky, with no raw or doughy sections in the center.

• Is there a trick to cutting perfect pastry circles?

Use a sharp round cookie cutter or trace around a small plate with a sharp knife. Make sure the puff pastry is cold but not frozen for clean, precise cuts.

What Makes Goat Cheese and Walnut Tarts So Flavorful

• Quick to Craft: Whip up these elegant tarts in under 30 minutes with minimal cooking skills required.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for appetizers, brunch, or sophisticated light meals that impress guests without complex preparation.
• Flavor Explosion: Combines creamy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, sweet honey, and aromatic herbs for a delightful taste experience.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Uses simple, readily available ingredients that come together beautifully with minimal effort and maximum gourmet appeal.

Goat Cheese And Walnut Tarts Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Delicate goat cheese and walnut tarts showcase French countryside elegance with creamy cheese and crunchy walnuts nestled in buttery pastry. Rustic yet refined, these tarts promise a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup goat cheese
• 1/2 cup California walnuts, chopped
• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

Seasoning and Herbs:

• 1.5 teaspoons herbs de Provence
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• Honey (to drizzle)
• Fresh thyme sprigs (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Gently unfold the defrosted puff pastry and smooth out any creases with a rolling pin to ensure an even surface.
2. Carefully trace and cut eight precise 5-inch circular shapes from the pastry dough, using a sharp round cutter or knife.
3. Create a delicate border on each pastry circle by using a knife to trace a shallow ¼-inch perimeter, which will help form a raised edge during baking.
4. Distribute creamy goat cheese into the center of each pastry round, leaving the marked border clear and untouched.
5. Enhance the cheese with a light sprinkle of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a generous dusting of Herbs de Provence to elevate the flavor profile.
6. Scatter roughly chopped walnuts across the seasoned goat cheese, ensuring an even coverage for consistent texture.
7. Drizzle golden honey over the walnuts, allowing it to cascade and pool around the nuts and cheese.
8. Whisk an egg with a touch of warm water to create a glossy egg wash for brushing the pastry edges.
9. Using a soft pastry brush, gently coat the outer border of each tart with the egg wash to promote a rich, golden-brown color.
10. Position the tarts in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) and bake for approximately 20 minutes until the pastry transforms into a crisp, amber-hued shell.
11. Once baked, remove from the oven and garnish with delicate fresh thyme sprigs for an aromatic finish.
12. Optional: Add an extra drizzle of honey just before serving to enhance the tart’s sweetness and visual appeal.

Notes

• Use cold puff pastry and work quickly to keep the dough flaky and crisp, preventing it from becoming soggy or tough.
• Choose a creamy, tangy goat cheese that melts smoothly and complements the nutty walnuts for a balanced flavor profile.
• Lightly toast walnuts in a dry skillet before adding to enhance their natural nuttiness and create a deeper, more complex taste.
• For gluten-free options, substitute puff pastry with almond flour or gluten-free pie crust, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg