Puff Pastry Tomato and Three Cheese Tart
This recipe is a delicious way to enjoy summer tomatoes. Caramelized onions, three cheeses are layered atop puff pastry, then baked until golden brown. For a final finish, I drizzled a balsamic glaze and added fresh garden basil. This makes a fantasic appetizer "al fresco" or a small lunch plate.
Servings 4 people
Ingredients
- 1 2 sheets package puff pastry, defrosted 17.3-ounce
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cups yellow onions thinly sliced (2 large onions)
- 3 large garlic cloves cut into thin slivers
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons dry white wine
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves minced
- 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan plus 2 ounces shaved with a vegetable peeler
- 4 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese recommended: Montrachet (see notes below for substitutions)
- 1 large tomato cut into 4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
- 3 tablespoons basil leaves julienned
Instructions
- Unfold a sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll it lightly to an 11 by 11-inch square. Using a 6-inch wide saucer or other round object as a guide, cut 2 circles from the sheet of puff pastry, discarding the scraps. Repeat with the second pastry sheet to make 4 circles in all. Place the pastry circles on 2 sheet pans lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until ready to use.NOTES: I chose to make one large square tart, so as not to waste pastry.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium to low heat and add the onions and garlic. Saute for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are limp and there is almost no moisture remaining in the skillet. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the wine, and thyme and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, until the onions are lightly browned. Remove from the heat.
- Using a sharp paring knife, score a 1/4-inch-wide border around each pastry circle. Prick the pastry inside the score lines with the tines of a fork and sprinkle a tablespoon of grated Parmesan on each round, staying inside the scored border.
- Place 1/4 of the onion mixture on each circle (or the large square tart), again staying within the scored edge. Crumble 1 ounce of goat cheese (I used Brie cheese insead of Goat cheese) on top of the onions. Place a slice of tomato in the center of each tart. Brush the tomato lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with basil, salt, and pepper. Finally, scatter 4 or 5 shards of Parmesan on each tart.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. The bottom sheet pan may need an extra few minutes in the oven.
- Garnish with the fresh basil and serve hot or warm.
Notes
NOTE: I substituted brie cheese, since I don't **gasp** like goat cheese.
Recipe source: Adapted from "Back to Basics" from Ina Garten