Description

Mushroom, Shallot, and Herbed Goat Cheese Tarts are elegant, savory appetizers featuring a flaky puff pastry base filled with a creamy mixture of sautéed mushrooms, shallots, fresh herbs, and tangy goat cheese. Perfect for dinner parties or festive gatherings, these tarts combine earthy and rich flavors with a light, crisp texture that will impress any guest.

Ingredients

Scale

Pastry

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

Filling

8 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, finely chopped
2 medium shallots, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces goat cheese, softened
2 tablespoons fresh herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, or parsley), chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it is hot enough to create a perfectly puffed and golden pastry.
Prepare Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to about ⅛-inch thickness. Cut into 3 to 4 inch squares or circles depending on your preferred tart shape, and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced shallots and sauté until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add minced garlic and chopped mushrooms, cooking for 5-7 minutes until mushrooms are tender and golden brown. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Mix Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine softened goat cheese, sautéed mushroom and shallot mixture, and chopped fresh herbs. Stir well until the filling is creamy and evenly blended.
Assemble Tarts: Use a fork to prick the center of each puff pastry piece to prevent excessive puffing. Leave about a half-inch border around the edges. Spoon a generous amount of the filling onto the center of each pastry, spreading slightly but keeping the edges clear.
Bake: Bake the assembled tarts in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
Cool and Serve: Remove the tarts from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally garnished with additional fresh herbs.

Notes

Customize the filling by adding seasonal vegetables or alternative cheeses.
The tarts can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Freeze assembled but uncooked tarts on a baking sheet, then transfer to a container; bake from frozen adding a few extra minutes.
Reheat leftovers in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes; avoid microwaving to keep pastry crisp.
Ensure mushrooms are sautéed until just tender to avoid a watery filling.
Prick puff pastry before filling to prevent excessive puffing.
Cut pastry to uniform sizes for even baking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French-inspired

Keywords: mushroom tart, goat cheese tart, puff pastry appetizer, herbed goat cheese, shallot tart, party appetizer, vegetarian appetizer