Description
Mushroom and goat cheese tarts with shallots bring French countryside charm to your kitchen. Delicate pastry layers cradle earthy mushrooms and creamy goat cheese, inviting you to savor each delightful, flavorful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 300g (10 ounces) mixed mushrooms (such as cremini, shiitake, or oyster), sliced
- 4 ounces (120g) goat cheese, softened
- 320g (11 ounces) puff pastry sheet
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 3 medium shallots, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Liquids and Fats:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine or vegetable stock
- 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
- Fresh thyme leaves or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize shallots in a blend of butter and olive oil over medium heat, gently transforming them into soft, translucent ribbons.
- Introduce minced garlic and infuse the aromatics with its fragrant essence for one minute.
- Incorporate sliced mushrooms along with thyme, salt, and pepper, allowing them to develop deep golden-brown edges and tender texture through careful stirring.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine or vegetable stock, creating a concentrated flavor profile and reducing liquid until slightly thickened.
- Remove mushroom mixture from heat and permit slight cooling to manage temperature.
- Activate the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Unfurl puff pastry and transform it into 6 symmetrical geometric shapes, maintaining uniform dimensions.
- Delicately trace a perimeter border approximately 1 cm wide, creating a decorative raised edge without piercing completely through the dough.
- Spread a creamy layer of softened goat cheese within the pastry’s inner boundary.
- Distribute the mushroom medley evenly across the goat cheese foundation.
- Apply egg wash along pastry edges to achieve a lustrous, golden-brown finish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until pastry achieves a puffy, bronzed appearance.
- Extract tarts from oven and allow brief resting period.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley for visual and aromatic enhancement.
- Serve warm to preserve textural integrity and maximize flavor complexity.
Notes
- Choose firm, fresh mushrooms like cremini or shiitake for the most robust flavor and best texture.
- Slice mushrooms uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent caramelization throughout the dish.
- Drain excess liquid from mushrooms after cooking to prevent soggy pastry bottoms.
- Experiment with different goat cheese varieties like herbed or aged for unique flavor profiles.
- Use store-bought puff pastry to save time without compromising on taste and quality.
- Swap goat cheese with vegan alternatives like cashew cheese for dairy-free dietary needs.
- Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat kick if you enjoy spicier dishes.
- Prepare mushroom mixture in advance and refrigerate to streamline cooking process.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg