Description
Irresistible mini Italian herb and goat cheese tarts bring elegant Mediterranean flavors to your next gathering. Small bites packed with fresh rosemary, crumbled goat cheese, and delicate pastry create a delightful starter you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters / 4 fluid ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters / 2 fluid ounces) sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Caramelized onions
- Diced tomatoes
- Crumbled bacon
- Fresh herbs
- Smoked salmon
Instructions
- Prepare the workspace by warming the oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Gently unfold the puff pastry on a flour-dusted surface, transforming it into delicate circular bases using a round cutter.
- Create a subtle inner ring on each pastry disc by gently scoring with a knife, ensuring the cut doesn’t penetrate completely through the dough. Delicately puncture the center with a fork to prevent excessive rising.
- Craft a luscious filling by whisking cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Carefully dollop the creamy mixture into the center of each pastry round, spreading evenly while maintaining a pristine border.
- Enhance the pastry’s exterior by tenderly glazing the edges with beaten egg, promising a rich, golden exterior.
- Transfer the adorned tarts into the preheated oven, allowing them to transform for 12-15 minutes until they emerge puffy and bronzed.
- Extract the tarts from the oven and embellish with optional garnishes of your preference. Present these elegant morsels either warmly or at ambient temperature for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Maximize pastry performance by ensuring your puff pastry is cold and firm before cutting, preventing tough or misshapen tarts.
- Experiment with diverse flavor combinations like roasted red pepper, caramelized onions, or herbed goat cheese to elevate these versatile appetizers.
- Create gluten-free alternatives by substituting puff pastry with gluten-free phyllo or almond flour-based dough for guests with dietary restrictions.
- Prepare tart bases ahead of time and store unbaked in the refrigerator, allowing for quick assembly and baking when entertaining unexpected guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg