Red Onion And Goats Cheese Tart Recipes

ONION & GOAT'S CHEESE TARTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Cut the pastry into 4 rectangles and place on a baking sheet. Mark a border 1cm in from the edge of the pastry with a sharp knife. Spoon the onions into the middle, smooth then top with the cheese and thyme. Drizzle with oil and bake for 15-20 mins, until the cheese has melted and the pastry has risen and is golden brown.
• For the onions: Makes 600g, which is 3 batches. Prep time 5 mins, cook time 30 mins. Melt the butter in a large, deep frying pan and stir through the onions. Cover with a lid and cook gently for about 10 mins, until softened. Remove lid, add sugar, then cook 15-20 mins, stirring, until all of the liquid has evaporated and onions have turned golden. Divide into 3 batches to make the recipes, right. Will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.

CARAMELISED BALSAMIC AND RED ONION TARTS WITH GOATS' CHEESE

Steps:

• First make up the pastry by rubbing the butter lightly on to the flour, then adding the cheese, mustard and cayenne plus just enough cold water to make a smooth dough. Then place the dough in a polythene bag to rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. After that, roll it out as thinly as possible and use a 5 inch (13 cm) cutter, or a saucer or something similar, to stamp out 8 rounds. Line the greased tins with them, then bake in the oven, centre shelf, for 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is cooked through but not coloured. Then cool the pastry cases on a wire rack and store them in an airtight tin until they are needed. To make the filling, melt the butter in a heavy-based, medium-sized saucepan, stir in the onions, balsamic vinegar and chopped sage, season and let everything cook very gently without a lid, stirring often, for about 30 minutes until they have reduced down and taken on a lovely glazed appearance and all the excess liquid has evaporated away. You can also watch how to chop onions in our Cookery School Video on this page. Then let the mixture cool until you are ready to make the tarts. To bake them, brush a little beaten egg on to each pastry case, pop them back into the oven, same temperature as above, for 5 minutes - this helps to provide a seal for the pastry and helps it from becoming soggy. Now spoon the onion mixture into the cases. Top each one with a slice of goats' cheese and a sage leaf that has first been dipped into olive oil. Finally sprinkle with a little cayenne and bake for 20 minutes.

RED ONION AND GOATS' CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Just unroll the pastry on to a flat surface and then trim it to make a 9-in (23-cm) square and place the pastry square on a lightly greased baking sheet. Now what you need to do is take a sharp knife and score the pastry without cutting right through, so you have a cut 1 in (2.5 cm) from the edge all the way round. Next, take a large fork, prick the pastry all over inside the scored square and brush the whole lot with the beaten egg. Then pop it into the oven on a high shelf for 20 minutes until it has risen and become golden. Meanwhile, drain the onions and reserve the juice. Mix the chopped thyme and red wine vinegar into the onions and season them with salt and freshly milled black pepper. After that, take the sharp knife again and dip it into boiling hot water before slicing the cheese into 12 rounds - cut it in half first, then cut 6 rounds from each half. When the pastry is ready, remove it from the oven and use the back of a fork to press the inner pastry base back down. Now spread the onions all over, followed by the slices of cheese and place a small sprig of fresh thyme on each slice. Finally, mix 1 tablespoon of the reserved onion juice with the tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle this all over everything before placing the tart back in the oven for a further 15-20 minutes. Note: This is great for vegetarians.

CARAMELIZED ONION AND GOAT CHEESE TARTS

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat, add the oil and butter. When the butter is melted, add the onions, sugar, and salt, to taste. Cook until the onions begin to brown. Adjust the heat to low and cook slowly, turning often, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the onions from the heat and set aside to cool.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a bowl combine the goat cheese, egg, cream, and thyme. Pour the mixture into a small resealable plastic food storage bag. Snip off a corner of the bag to use it for piping.
• Lay the pie crusts out flat on a clean surface and with a 2 1/2-inch round cutter cut out 12 circles from each crust. Press them into the cups of the mini-muffin tin. Fill each cup 1/2 way with the cooled onions. Pipe the cheese mixture on top of the onions, filling the cups. Bake the tarts until the filling is set, about 15 to 20 minutes. Let the tarts cool slightly, and then remove them from the muffin tin and serve.

GOAT CHEESE AND CARAMELIZED ONION TARTS

Steps:

• Cut thawed puff pastry into six 3- to 4-inch rounds using a cookie cutter. Roll edges of each pastry slightly to form 6 small tarts. Set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; stir in sweet onion. Cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking and stirring until onion is very tender and dark brown, about 40 minutes more. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bring 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat and let simmer until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Divide cooked onions between the 6 tart shells and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle goat cheese evenly on top of each tart.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle each with balsamic vinegar reduction.
• Return tarts to the oven and continue to bake until cheese is bubbly and tarts are golden brown, about 8 minutes more.

GOAT'S CHEESE & RED PEPPER TART

Steps:

• Cook the onions in the oil for 6-7 mins, until they are softened and lightly coloured, then add the balsamic vinegar and 1 tbsp water. Cook for a further 2-3 mins. Roughly chop the olives and stir in. Leave to cool.
• Halve the peppers, remove the seeds and core. Put under a hot grill, skin side up, until the skins are charred. Remove and put into a food bag until cool enough to handle, then peel off the skins.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Roll out the pastry and line a 23-24cm deep flan tin. Line with baking paper and beans, then bake for 10 mins. Remove the paper and beans, then bake for 5 mins more, until the pastry is golden and crisp.
• Spread the onion mix over the base of the pastry case. Put the halved peppers on top, cut side up with tapered ends towards the centre. Slice the goat's cheese and put a few slices in each pepper half. Tuck the tomatoes in the gaps between the peppers.
• Bake for 20-25 mins until the cheese is lightly tinged brown and the tomatoes have burst. Scatter over the herb leaves and serve warm or at room temperature.

CARAMELISED BALSAMIC AND RED ONION TARTS WITH GOATS' CHEESE

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 4, 350°F (180°C).
• You will also need eight 3½ inch (9 cm) diameter x 1 inch (2.5 cm) high mini flan tins, greased, and a 5 inch (13 cm) pastry cutter or plate to cut around.
• First make up the pastry by rubbing the butter lightly on to the flour, then adding the cheese, mustard and cayenne plus just enough cold water to make a smooth dough. Then place the dough in a polythene bag to rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. After that, roll it out as thinly as possible and use a 5 inch (13 cm) cutter, or a saucer or something similar, to stamp out 8 rounds. Line the greased tins with them, then bake in the oven, centre shelf, for 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is cooked through but not coloured. Then cool the pastry cases on a wire rack and store them in an airtight tin until they are needed.
• To make the filling, melt the butter in a heavy-based, medium-sized saucepan, stir in the onions, balsamic vinegar and chopped sage, season and let everything cook very gently without a lid, stirring often, for about 30 minutes until they have reduced down and taken on a lovely glazed appearance and all the excess liquid has evaporated away. Then let the mixture cool until you are ready to make the tarts.
• To bake them, brush a little beaten egg on to each pastry case, pop them back into the oven, same temperature as above, for 5 minutes - this helps to provide a seal for the pastry and helps it from becoming soggy. Now spoon the onion mixture into the cases. Top each one with a slice of goats' cheese and a sage leaf that has first been dipped into olive oil. Finally sprinkle with a little cayenne and bake for 20 minutes.

GOAT'S CHEESE, POTATO & ONION TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Roll out the pastry so it is large enough to fit a deep 23cm loose-bottomed tart tin, then line the tin with the pastry. Chill for 30 mins. Line the pastry with greaseproof paper, fill with baking beans and bake for 15 mins. Remove the paper and beans and return the tin to the oven for 5 mins until golden, then remove and set aside. Reduce oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.
• Heat the butter and oil in a large frying pan, add the onions and potato and cook over a very gentle heat for 10-15 mins, turning occasionally, until golden and tender. Season if you want to, then add the garlic and thyme leaves, and cook for a further 3 mins. Tip into the pastry case along with the goat's cheese and spread out evenly.
• Whisk the eggs and crème fraîche together, season if you want to, then pour into the pastry case and bake for 30-35 mins until lightly golden brown and just set in the centre. Serve warm, with rocket leaves scattered over if using.

ONION & GOAT'S CHEESE TARTE TATINS

Steps:

• Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Put the sugar in a heavy-based saucepan and melt over a medium heat. Cook to a dark caramel, occasionally swirling the pan gently to help melt any remaining sugar and get an even colour. Add the vinegar, stir to combine, and pour into the tray, spreading it out. Leave to cool.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Add a splash of oil to an ovenproof frying pan over a medium-high heat. Lay the onions cut-side down and fry until blackened and just starting to burn, about 5 mins. Add the thyme sprigs, then transfer to the oven and bake for 25 mins. Once the onions are tender, remove from the pan. Space them out evenly, cut-side down, on the caramel and leave to cool.
• Once the onions are cool, cut the pastry into six equal discs, each large enough to cover an onion half. Cover the onions with the pastry, tucking it under slightly. Put the tray in the fridge for 1 hr so that the pastry firms up a bit.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Bake the onion tarts for 20 mins, then reduce heat to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and bake for 10 mins more.
• Remove from the oven and leave to cool. Once cool enough to handle, turn the tarts so the onions are now facing up. Lay a slice of goat's cheese on top of each and bake for a further 10 mins. Remove from the oven and sprinkle over a few thyme leaves to serve.

GOAT'S CHEESE, RED ONION & PINE NUT FREEZER TARTLETS

Steps:

• Tip the onions into a large pan with 250ml water and a large pinch of salt. Cook over a high heat for 20 mins until the water has evaporated. Pour in the oil, turn down the heat to medium and cook for 20 mins more until the onions have caramelised. Pour in the vinegar and sugar and cook until the onions are jammy. Leave to cool.
• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured work surface to a 30 x 40cm rectangle. Cut out six circles large enough to line six 10cm loose- bottomed fluted tart tins. Line each with a square of baking parchment, fill with baking beans and bake for 8 mins. Remove the parchment and beans and baking for 7 mins more. Leave to cool on a wire rack.
• Remove the tart cases from the tins. Spread a layer of the onion jam in the bottom of each, top with the goat's cheese slices, then sprinkle with pine nuts. Wrap each tart well and freeze for up to three months.
• Heat the oven to 160C/ 140C fan/ gas 3, unwrap the tarts and bake from frozen on a baking tray for 15-20 mins until piping hot and the cheese has melted. Sprinkle with basil before serving.