Italian Cheese And Red Pesto Tartlets Recipes

20 MINUTE CHEESY PESTO TARTS

Steps:

• Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the walnuts and garlic.
• Toast for a few minutes or until golden brown, shaking the pan occasionally to toss the nuts and promote even color.
• Once the nuts are done, remove them from the pan and continue to toast the garlic.
• Remove it from the pan and remove the skin.
• Wait until both are cooled.
• Place the basil, nuts, garlic, and olive oil in a blender and pulse until smooth, but still a tad grainy in texture.
• Place everything in a bowl and stir in the cheese.
• Salt to taste and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Sprinkle a little flour on the counter and roll out the puff pastry sheets.
• Using a biscuit cutter or large glass, cut the dough into circles.
• Using a fork, poke holes all over the dough and gently press into a mini muffin tin.
• Place in the oven for about 10 minutes, remove from the oven and using a small spoon or tart press, push the sides back out, making a well in each center. I often use my fingers and burn myself, but do it anyway. :)
• Fill each cup with 1 teaspoon or so of prepared pesto.
• Add a tomato to each cup, a sprinkle of cheese and place in the oven for 5 minutes or until golden and cheesy.
• Remove from the oven and add a pinch of black pepper.
• Serve immediately or at room temperature.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO TART WITH PESTO AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Pour flour into a bowl and make a well in the center. Add butter, egg, water, salt, and sugar. Work the ingredients together with your fingertips until they resemble bread crumbs. Mix until smooth, pushing with the bottom of your palm to form dough into a ball. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
• Roll dough out into a large round on a floured work surface. Roll up dough over the rolling pin to transfer it to a tart pan with a detachable bottom. Drape dough over the tart pan; press over the bottom and against the edges. Trim the edges. Chill the crust for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork. Line with waxed paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
• Bake crust in the preheated oven until partially cooked, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the weights and waxed paper. Continue baking for 5 minutes. Let cool. Leave the oven on.
• Spread a thin layer of pesto over the crust. Break mozzarella into pieces over the pesto. Cover with tomatoes.
• Return tart to the oven; bake until tomatoes are tender and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Season with sea salt before serving.