Tomato Basil Goat Cheese Tart (Print)

Layers of tomato, goat cheese, basil, and balsamic on puff pastry for a bright, savory vegetarian dish.

# Components:

→ Crust

01 - 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed (approximately 250g)
02 - 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

→ Filling

03 - 175g fresh goat cheese, softened
04 - 2 tablespoons crème fraîche or sour cream
05 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
06 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Vegetables & Herbs

08 - 3-4 ripe medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
09 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped (approximately 15g)
10 - 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

→ Balsamic Drizzle

11 - 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon honey

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry to form a rectangle approximately 25x30 cm. Carefully transfer the rolled pastry to the prepared baking tray.
03 - Using a sharp knife, lightly score a border about 2 cm from the edge of the pastry, taking care not to cut all the way through. Prick the central area of the pastry with a fork. Brush the scored border with the beaten egg wash.
04 - In a mixing bowl, combine the softened goat cheese, crème fraîche (or sour cream), lemon zest, black pepper, and fine sea salt. Mix until the ingredients form a smooth, homogenous spread.
05 - Evenly spread the goat cheese mixture within the scored border of the puff pastry. Arrange the thinly sliced tomato rounds in overlapping rows over the cheese. Drizzle the tomatoes with extra virgin olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
06 - Place the assembled tart in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the pastry achieves a golden-brown hue and appears crisp.
07 - While the tart is baking, combine the balsamic vinegar and honey in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reduces by approximately half and develops a syrupy consistency. This should take about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
08 - Remove the tart from the oven. Scatter the torn basil leaves over the hot tart. Drizzle generously with the cooled balsamic reduction just before serving. Slice the tart and serve it warm or at room temperature.

# Chef Secrets:

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour using mostly pantry staples
  • Creates an impressive presentation with minimal effort
  • Versatile as an elegant appetizer or light main course
  • Works beautifully for both casual family meals and entertaining guests
02 -
  • This tart can be partially prepared ahead saving you time when entertaining
  • The combination of tomato basil and goat cheese provides a complete protein option for vegetarians
  • Using store bought puff pastry makes this impressive dish accessible even to novice cooks
03 -
  • The secret to preventing a soggy bottom on your tart is proper preparation of both the pastry and tomatoes. After scoring your pastry border be generous with the fork pricking in the center this allows steam to escape during baking. For tomatoes I recommend placing sliced tomatoes on paper towels for 10 minutes before arranging them on the tart to remove excess moisture.
  • When working with puff pastry always ensure it's properly chilled but not frozen. If it becomes too warm during handling return it to the refrigerator for 15 minutes before continuing. This maintains those beautiful flaky layers we all love.
  • For the perfect balsamic reduction watch it carefully as it can go from perfectly syrupy to burnt in seconds. The ideal consistency should coat a spoon but still be pourable. Remember it will continue to thicken as it cools so err on the side of slightly thinner when removing from heat.

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