The world feels like it’s coming to life again, and lots of people have been hosting get togethers. Sitting around sipping Rose and chatting with friends might be my favorite thing to do, and it is next level when we have delicious snacks. I didn’t even know how much I missed making party food until I started again. But I was reminded how much I appreciate it when it is as easy as it is delicious.
Enter these summer tarts:
They are such a great way to showcase fresh produce and herbs of the season, and let your creativity go. I made these two –
Sun-dried Tomato Pesto with Goat Cheese
and Balsalmic Blue Cheese and Apple with Sage
Both of them require just a handful of ingredients and some kind of dough. I used pizza dough because I always keep some on hand, but puff pastry works beautifully too and is also easy to keep on hand in the freezer.
Next, each of these uses a big flavor vehicle. For the balsamic tart, I used a jam meant for cheese boards with shallots and garlic like this one or this one, but you could use fig jam or other savory/sweet spread.
For the tomato tart I used sun-dried tomato pesto like this one but basil or other pestos would work, or you could just blend sun-dried tomatoes with olive oil to make a paste to spread.
Then you add cheese, fruit and herbs. And that’s it. It is a pretty basic template:
dough + flavor spread + cheese + produce + herbs
Other variations that sound delicious to me include:
1. Dijon + Gruyere + Prosciutto + Thyme
2. Honey + Burrata + Peaches + Basil, Mint or Thyme
3. Basil Pesto + Mozzarella + Tomatos + Basil
4. Balsalmic Jam + Goat Cheese + Summer Squash + Herbes De Provence
5. Balsalmic Jam + Smoked Gouda + Zucchini + Bacon
6. Balsalmic Jam + Brie + Pear + Sage
There are so many options, so little time, but I promise with all these flavor combos, whatever you choose will be a hit at your next summer outing.
There is something very European about these, and I felt like I was sitting outside at a cafe as I nibbled on these with a glass of wine. (The kids running through the yard did not deter my daydream). They are the perfect equation for summer nibbles: quick, easy, and full of flavor.
Let me know if you make one of these soon! I hope you love them.
Happy Eating! xoxo Katie
Sun-Dried Tomato Tart with Goat Cheese and Basil
Ingredients:
1 pizza dough or box of puff pastry (2 sheets)
1/2 cup sun-dried tomato pesto
1 cup cherry tomatos, halved
4 oz. goat cheese
5-8 big leaves of basil (it’s easiest if you chiffonade them but torn is fine)
2-3 sliced of onion, separated
olive oil, salt and pepper
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
Lay out dough and prick with a fork so it doesn’t bubble up. Spread with a tablespoon of olive oil. Then spread pesto. Then add crumbled goat cheese, sliced tomatoes and onion. Season with salt and pepper and bake 10-12 minutes or until dough is golden brown. Sprinkle with fresh basil.
Balsalmic Blue Cheese & Apple Tart
Ingredients:
1 pizza dough or box of puff pastry (2 sheets)
1/3 cup balsamic jam
1 green apple, thinly sliced
2-4 oz. blue cheese
3 big leaves of sage (it’s easiest if you chiffonade them but torn is fine)
2-3 sliced of onion, separated
olive oil, salt and pepper
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
Lay out dough and prick with a fork so it doesn’t bubble up. Spread with a drizzle of olive oil. Then spread jam. Then add crumbled blue cheese, sliced apples and onion. Season with salt and pepper and bake 10-12 minutes or until dough is golden brown. Sprinkle with sage and slice.
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