Description
These Mushroom and Goat Cheese Tarts with Shallots are elegant, savory pastries perfect for appetizers or light brunches. Featuring a flaky puff pastry base loaded with a flavorful sautéed mushroom and shallot mixture, topped with creamy goat cheese and baked to golden perfection, they are both simple to prepare and impressive to serve.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
Sautéed Mushroom Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 shallots (thinly sliced)
- 8 ounces cremini or mixed mushrooms (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping and Finishing
- 4 ounces goat cheese (crumbled)
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- Optional: balsamic glaze or fresh herbs (thyme or parsley) for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the tarts.
- Sauté Shallots and Mushrooms: In a skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil and butter. Add thinly sliced shallots and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in sliced mushrooms, minced garlic, fresh thyme, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms turn golden and their moisture evaporates. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Prepare Pastry Bases: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet and cut it into 4 equal rectangles. Score a 1/2-inch border around each rectangle without cutting through to create a raised edge.
- Assemble Tarts: Place the pastry rectangles on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon the mushroom mixture evenly into the centers, staying within the scored borders. Top each with a generous amount of crumbled goat cheese. Brush the pastry edges with the beaten egg wash to help them brown beautifully.
- Bake: Bake the tarts in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes or until the pastry is fully puffed up and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and optionally drizzle with balsamic glaze or sprinkle with fresh thyme or parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature, perfect alongside a fresh salad.
Notes
- These tarts make an excellent appetizer or a light lunch option, especially when paired with a crisp salad.
- You can prepare the mushroom mixture ahead of time to save on serving day prep.
- If you prefer, substitute goat cheese with another soft cheese of your choice, such as ricotta or feta.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free puff pastry.
- Leftover tarts can be stored in an airtight container and reheated gently in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
