Tomato & Goat Cheese Tarts

Oh my goodness, these tarts are pretty amazing!  The best part is, they look elegant but they are super simple to make.  So much flavor all layered up on a flaky puff pastry, so delicious!

all prepped, ready for the oven

Tomato & Goat Cheese Tarts

adapted from:  food network

Ingredients:

1 package (2 sheets) puff pastry, defrosted

olive oil

4 cups thinly sliced or chopped yellow onions (about 2 large onions or 1 bag of chopped onions from Trader Joe's)

3 large garlic cloves, chopped or cut into thin slivers

1 large shallot thinly sliced

3 tablespoons dry white wine

2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves (if you don't add this, it will still taste great)

4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, plus 2 ounces shaved with a veggie peeler

4 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese (plain works well too)

1 large tomato, cut into 4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices

3 tablespoons julienned basil leaves

Directions:

• 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 1-2 sheet pans lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

• Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium to low heat and add the onions , shallot 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 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, again staying within the scored edge.
• Crumble 1 ounce of goat cheese over 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. 
• Scatter 4 or 5 shards of Parmesan on each tart.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown.  

These tarts are perfect as an appetizer or for dinner served with a tossed green salad.  

Bon Appetit!

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