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Chevre, Pesto and Cherry Tomato Pastries

Thyme for Cooking Posted on by

One doesn't normally think of cherry tomatoes as a spring vegetable, but they always appear right along with the asparagus and green garlic…. Before their bigger cousins are ready.

French elections – after the recipe

Purchased puff pastry makes these little tarts a snap.

Other than giving the leek a quick sauté, this is just a matter of assembling and baking.

You can use any semi-soft cheese ( Brie or Camembert), but I prefer the a slightly aged Chevre (goat).  It normally comes log-shaped (long, round), and wrapped in paper.  It will have a thin rind that is an edible part of the cheese.

Tomato Chevre Pastry

Cherry Tomato Pastries 

Preparation and cooking time:   25 minutes

 Ingredients:

  • 2 – 3oz (75gr) goat cheese or other semi-soft cheese, enough to almost cover the area
  • 1 small leek
  • 2 tbs pesto
  • 6 cherry tomatoes (1" diameter, 2.5cm) or 8 – 10 grape tomatoes
  • 3 – 4 fresh basil leaves  for garnish, optional
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 sheet puff pastry – freeze what you don't use

pastry leeks

 Instructions:

  • Thaw the puff pastry, if needed. 
  • Slice goat cheese 1/4" (.6cm) thick, either 2 large or 6 small (see above). 
  • Cut tomatoes in half. 
  • Snip basil.  
  • Trim leeks and slice thinly. 
  • Heat oil in small skillet.  Add leeks and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. 
  • Lay out puff pastry and either cut 2 circles, 5 inches in diameter (11 – 13 cm) or 2 squares, 5" (12cm). 
  • Lay the cut pastry on a baking sheet.  With a dull knife (butter knife) lightly etch around the pastry, 1/3" (.75cm) from the edge.
  • Divide the leeks and spread within the etched lines. 
  • Lay the cheese on top, cutting smaller slices to roughly fit. 
  • Spread pesto on top of the cheese, dividing evenly. 

Tomato tart pesto

  • Put tomatoes cut side down on top of pesto. 

Tomatopastrystart

  • Bake in pre-heated oven at 420F (205C) for 12 – 15 minutes, until sides of pastry have puffed around middle and are golden brown. 
  • Remove, garnish with fresh basil and serve. 

The first round of the French presidential elections are this Sunday.

For the curious – this is the bit of information I picked up about it:

There are 10 candidates on the ballot for the first round of voting.  That will / should be narrowed down to 2 candidates for the final round of voting on Sunday, May 6.

Every registered voter in France has received an envelope with a 4 page bit on each candidate: a full page photo followed by 3 pages of the candidates pearls of wisdom and promises for the future.

Also in the envelope are 10 sheets of paper, about 5" X 7" (12cm X 17cm).  Each piece of paper has one of the candidate's name on it.

To vote, the piece of paper with the name of the selected candidate is folded, inserted into a small envelope and taken to the polling station on Sunday.

I assume (but don't know for sure) that each voter is cross-referenced against a list 

I don't think the 'vote early and vote often' theory is advocated in France, either.

As to who will win?  (Gallic shrug here)


Comments

Chevre, Pesto and Cherry Tomato Pastries — 7 Comments

  4. Brassfrog, thanks…. they were 😉
    manningroad, I can’t wait until I get fresh basil. We had a week of spring, then winter returned – with a vengeance – and it’s the end of April!!!!
    Tanna, great minds think alike – perfect!

  6. This is a beauty – love the goat cheese and the pesto layering. And the cherry tomatoes are good substitutes until the summer tomatoes appear.

  7. Feats on the Cheap – I can’t wait until I can make pesto… but, first it has to stop raining so I can plant the basil….
    Claudia, pesto and goat cheese are a great match.

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