I am a self-proclaimed Queen of Tarts. I will steal your heart with my yummy wee bites of bliss. Don't believe me? Come on over!
Gourmess' Mini Tarts
- Savory Tarts:
- Blend 1/4 cup roasted red peppers with 1 clove of minced garlic, a dab of olive oil and 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of sugar until puréed, and then mix with 3 TBS of goat cheese, fill mini phyllo tart shells and top with diced roasted red pepper. Bake.
- Fill mini phyllo tart shells with artichoke spread and top with shredded Monterrey Jack cheese. Bake.
- Fill mini phyllo tart shells with crumbled bleu cheese, top with a few pieces diced bacon and chopped walnut. Bake.
- Mix 3 TBS ricotta cheese with 1 TBS shredded mozzarella, some garlic salt and Italian seasoning. Fill mini phyllo shells with mixture and top with diced pepperoni or diced sun dried tomatoes. Bake.
- Fill mini phyllo tart shells with cream cheese mixed with dried dill and a bit of onion salt and bake. Top with diced smoked salmon right before serving.
- Fill mini phyllo tart shells with caramelized shallots, a dollop of goat cheese and some diced pancetta. Bake. Top with a few leaves of fresh rosemary.
- Mix 1 TBS pesto with 3 TBS ricotta cheese, fill mini phyllo tart shells and bake. Top with diced tomato and minced basil leaves after removing from the oven.
- Sweet Tarts:
- Thinly grate sharp cheddar cheese and place in bottom of mini phyllo tart shells. Top with Maple Apple Drizzle (Apple Pie in a Jar) or apple butter and chopped pecans. Bake.
- Fill mini phyllo tart shells with goat cheese, top with dried cranberries and chopped pecans. Bake. Drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar glaze.
- Mix 3 TBS ricotta cheese with 1 TBS of honey. Fill phyllo shells with the mixture and top with diced peaches. Bake, then sprinkle on some minced mint leaves and a drizzle of honey before serving.
- Fill mini phyllo tart shells with pumpkin pie-flavored cream cheese. Top with chopped candied pecans and bake. Add a bit of whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg before serving.
- Fill mini phyllo tart shells with some diced brie, top with thinly sliced apple and a drizzle of honey. Bake.
- Fill mini phyllo tart shells with fig jam, top with bleu, goat or brie and chopped walnuts. Bake.
- Fill mini phyllo tart shells with goat cheese and diced roasted butternut squash. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg and bake. Drizzle with maple syrup before serving.
Note: You can be a Tart Queen too. All you need is a package or two of phyllo mini tart shells (in the freezer section), some nice cheese, spreads/jams, and mixed nuts. If you can't find phylo shells, buy phyllo dough sheets and make your own shells, using mini muffin tins. Just fill your shells (I usually do about 3 different kinds of tarts per dozen shells), bake until melty and lightly browned, and you're done. Just be sure to let them cool a bit before serving so your party guests don't burn their mouths!
More great quick and easy party snacks:
- Take a piece of bacon, spread blue cheese on 1/3 of it, add a small dried Turkish fig, roll up, secure with damp toothpicks and broil until bacon is cooked through and cheese is bubbly. Remove from oven, drizzle with maple syrup or honey and enjoy.
- Mix together some dried fruits, mixed salted nuts and chopped dark chocolate for an elegant trail mix.
- Use a biscuit cutter to cut small circles out of flour tortillas/wraps. Fill with assorted cheeses, fold and bake for mini quesadillas. Serve with sour cream and salsa.
- Take crescent roll dough, roll it out flat and cut into long strips. Spread flavored cream cheese on the strips, roll up and bake as instructed on the package.
Who's ready for a party? Happy Monday!
xoxox
