Description
This Tomato Goat Cheese Tart is a quick and elegant savory pastry featuring flaky puff pastry, creamy farmer cheese, fresh tomato slices, and homemade basil pesto. Perfect for a light lunch, appetizer, or brunch, it balances rich cheesy flavors with the freshness of garden tomatoes and herbs, all baked to golden perfection in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten
Cheese & Pesto
- ½ cup homemade basil pesto
- 8 oz. Lifeway Farmer Cheese
Toppings
- Variety of tomatoes, sliced ½ inch thick
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the tart.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pinch the seams together and roll the dough slightly thinner into a rectangle shape for even baking.
- Score Crust: Using a sharp knife, lightly score a border about one inch from the edges to create a raised crust when baked.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the beaten egg all over the scored crust area to give it a beautiful golden sheen once baked.
- Add Cheese Layer: Evenly spread the farmer cheese inside the scored border over the puff pastry, ensuring full coverage for a creamy base.
- Spread Pesto: Drizzle half of the homemade basil pesto evenly over the layer of cheese to infuse the tart with fresh herbal flavor.
- Arrange Tomatoes: Place the sliced tomatoes on top, gently pressing them into the cheese layer and overlapping slightly for an attractive layered effect.
- Season and Oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the tomatoes, then sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Bake: Place the tart in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the puff pastry is deeply golden brown on the bottom and fully cooked.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the tart from the oven, drizzle the remaining basil pesto over the top, slice, and enjoy this delicious, fresh tart warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use a variety of colorful heirloom tomatoes for the best visual appeal and flavor diversity.
- Homemade basil pesto can be substituted with store-bought pesto to save time.
- The tart is best enjoyed the day it’s made, but leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently.
- For a crispier crust, place the tart on a preheated baking sheet or pizza stone.
- Farmer cheese can be substituted with goat cheese if preferred, for a tangier taste.