We had our good friends, Mike, Christa and their baby Paige, over for lunch this weekend. Christa is a vegetarian and in the past I would often prepare two meals, vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Lately, I’ve been finding new ways to keep vegetarian dishes satisfying for both parties which helps me spend less time in the kitchen and more time with our guests. I decided to make caramelized onion, mushroom and goat cheese tarts served with a salad dressed with balsamic vinaigretteand for dessert, vanilla ice cream with strawberry and blueberry flambe. I love caramelized onions…they are so tender and sweet. Add meaty crimini mushrooms, mild goat cheese and aromatic pine nuts and you have perfection. It’s hard to resist all those savory flavors especially when it’s sitting on a crispy and flaky piece of puff pasty. These tarts are such a great dish to serve for a brunch, light lunch or even as an appetizer. The best part is the recipe is super easy.
The caramelized onions are sweet & have almost a jam like consistency. I love the addition of the crunchy pine nuts.
Caramelized Onion, Mushroom, and Goat Cheese Tarts
Prep: ~10 mins Cooking: ~15 mins Baking: 17 mins Makes: 8 tarts
Ingredients:
2 large sweet onions, (ie Vidalia) thinly sliced
2 C crimini mushrooms, sliced
3 Tbs olive oil, plus more for brushing pastry
1 17.3 oz package of frozen puff pastry, thawed and each sheet cut into 4 squares
Goat Cheese
Pine nuts
Sea salt
Fresh ground black pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400º
- Heat 2 Tbs. of olive oil on large saute pan over medium low heat.
- When oil is hot, add onions. Cook until soft and tender. Stir often, careful – you do not want to fry the onions. The key is to cook the onions low and slow.
- Add 1 Tbs. of olive oil and mushrooms. Saute until mushrooms are soft.
- Season with a little sea salt and fresh ground black pepper.
- Score each square ½ inch from the edge and brush with a small amount of olive oil. Place cut puff pasty squares on baking sheet.
- Spoon 1 Tbs. of the onion and mushroom mixture into each square. Spread the mixture out evenly inside the scored section.
- Dot 1 tsp. of goat cheese on each tart, sprinkle ½ tsp. of pine nuts and then lightly season with salt and pepper. (You can definitely use more goat cheese/pine nuts if you want)
- Bake on center rack for 17 mins or until edges are golden brown and puffy.
Enjoy!!
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Oh, how lovely buttery puff pastry can be. This is totally satisfying for anyone, meat eater or not. Share with the rest of us!
Your savory tarts look wonderful! Isn’t it great when you find recipes like this that satisfy everyone. Love the addition of pine nuts on top 🙂 Looking forward to seeing you again soon. xo
The Duo Dishes: Thanks!! Let’s plan on getting together soon!
Marla: Thank you!! It’s definitely nice to find meals that will satisfy everyone! I loved the pine nuts add such nice texture! See ya soon!
these tarts looks like a great treat! like the pine nuts too.
Gorgeous tarts!!! love the toppings.
Blog hopping brought me to your space. Your recipe collection is amazing and delicious…. subscribing to your feeds and would love to peek in often. Happy Cooking n Happy Blogging…
Thanks Ravenous Couple!
RV: Thank you! I’m so glad you found my blog by chance – hope you visit often. Take care!