Description
These Mushroom, Shallot, and Herbed Goat Cheese Tarts are elegant French-inspired appetizers featuring flaky puff pastry topped with sautéed mushrooms, savory shallots, fresh thyme, and creamy herbed goat cheese. Perfectly seasoned and baked to a golden puff, they make a delicious starter or light meal paired with a green salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large shallot, thinly sliced
- 8 oz cremini or baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 4 oz herbed goat cheese, softened
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Optional Garnish
- Fresh thyme or microgreens
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking during baking.
- Sauté Shallots: In a skillet over medium heat, combine the olive oil and butter until melted and warm. Add the thinly sliced shallots and cook for 2–3 minutes until they soften but do not brown.
- Cook Mushrooms: Add the sliced mushrooms into the skillet along with salt, black pepper, and fresh thyme leaves. Sauté for about 8–10 minutes until the mushrooms turn golden brown and any released moisture has evaporated, concentrating their flavor.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet. Cut it into four equal rectangles. Using a knife, score a ½-inch border around each rectangle carefully without cutting through, allowing the edges to puff up during baking.
- Assemble Tarts: Place the puff pastry rectangles on the prepared baking sheet. Spread about 1 tablespoon of softened herbed goat cheese inside the scored border of each tart. Evenly distribute the sautéed mushroom and shallot mixture over the goat cheese.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the exposed puff pastry edges with the beaten egg. This will give the crust a beautiful golden color once baked.
- Bake the Tarts: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 18–22 minutes until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the tarts to cool slightly on a wire rack. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs or microgreens if desired before serving.
Notes
- If herbed goat cheese is unavailable, substitute with plain goat cheese mixed with fresh herbs of your choice.
- These tarts make a perfect appetizer or a light lunch and pair wonderfully with a fresh green salad.
