Are you looking for a delicious and impressive appetizer or a delightful addition to your next dinner party? Look no further! These mini savoury tartlets are the perfect answer. Easy to make, incredibly versatile, and guaranteed to impress your guests, these little bites of flavour are perfect for both beginner cooks and seasoned chefs seeking quick dinner ideas or healthy meals. They're also fantastic for meal prepping – imagine having these tasty little treats ready in your fridge for a quick snack or lunch!
Ingredients:
This recipe makes approximately 12 mini tartlets. Feel free to double or triple it depending on your needs.
For the Pastry:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ¼ cup ice water
For the Filling (choose your favourite – suggestions below!):
- Option 1: Roasted Red Pepper & Goat Cheese: 1 red bell pepper, roasted and chopped; 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil.
- Option 2: Caramelized Onion & Gruyere: 1 large onion, thinly sliced and caramelized; 4 oz Gruyere cheese, grated; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.
- Option 3: Spinach & Mushroom: 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped; 1 cup sliced mushrooms, sautéed; 2 cloves garlic, minced; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Instructions:
Making the Pastry:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the water: Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix!
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a flakier crust.
- Roll and cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ⅛ inch thickness. Use a 3-inch cookie cutter or a knife to cut out circles.
- Press into tartlet tins: Gently press the dough circles into mini tartlet tins. Trim any excess dough. Prick the bottom of each tart shell with a fork to prevent puffing during baking.
Baking the Tart Shells:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Blind bake: Line each tart shell with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden.
- Remove weights: Carefully remove the parchment paper and weights. Bake for another 2-3 minutes to further crisp the shells.
Preparing and Filling the Tartlets:
- Prepare the fillings: While the tart shells are baking, prepare your chosen filling according to the instructions above. (Caramelizing onions takes time, so start that first!)
- Fill the tartlets: Spoon the chosen filling into the baked tart shells.
- Bake (if needed): Some fillings, like the spinach and mushroom, may benefit from a short final bake (5-7 minutes) to heat through and melt the cheese. Check your chosen filling recipe for specific instructions.
Tips for Success:
- Use very cold butter for a flakier crust.
- Don't overwork the dough.
- Blind baking prevents a soggy bottom.
- Get creative with your fillings! Experiment with different cheeses, vegetables, and herbs.
Variations:
- Vegetarian: Use different vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, or artichoke hearts.
- Meat Lover's: Add cooked bacon, sausage, or ham to your chosen filling.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to your filling for a kick.
Nutritional Information (Approximate, per tartlet, will vary based on filling):
- Calories: 150-200
- Fat: 8-12g
- Protein: 4-6g
- Carbohydrates: 15-20g
These mini savoury tartlets are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or snack, perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the process of homemade cooking and the satisfaction of creating these delightful, healthy meals! They're a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, making them among the best recipes for entertaining.