By Brandon McDearis
This month’s recipe is a quick and easy hors d’oeuvre that probably won’t be found at every holiday party. These savory bites will be a pleasant surprise to your guests and they do not take all day to prepare. If feeding more than a small group, it may be wise to double or triple this recipe. While the nutritional facts on one of these tartlets are pretty unnoticeable, keep a count on how many times you head back for more. The calories can add up quickly if you reach for a handful. The recipe makes 24 tartlets.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 16 ounces sliced button mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped rosemary or sage
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup low-fat milk
- 4 ounces soft goat cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
Preparation:
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped mushrooms and onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, until soft and beginning to brown. Add the rosemary (or sage) and garlic and continue sautéing for 1-2 minutes. Season well with salt and pepper and add the white wine. Let most of the wine evaporate and stir in the flour. Add milk and goat cheese, and simmer until sauce thickens, stirring constantly. Transfer to a bowl and cool. Stir in the parsley.
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or coat with cooking spray.
- Place puff pastry sheets on lightly floured work surface, and prick all over with a fork. Cut each sheet of puff pastry into 24 rounds with 2-inch round cutter. Transfer the rounds to the baking sheets. Top each round with 1 teaspoon of the mushroom mixture. Spread evenly with your fingers. Add any remaining mixture to each puff pastry square. Chill for 20 minutes in the refrigerator to allow the pastry to firm.
- Bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts (Per Tartlet):
Calories: 60 / Fat: 4g / Saturated Fat: 1.5g / Carbohydrates: 5g / Fiber: .5g / Protein: 1g
# # #
Brandon McDearis is a personal chef working in the Charlotte area. He owns and operates Your Way Cuisine, www.yourwaycuisine.com. In addition to his culinary training, Brandon also holds a bachelor of science degree in foods and nutrition, with a concentration in dietetics. He primarily focuses on healthy cooking and addressing specific dietary needs of everyone from professional and amateur athletes to busy families and elderly people. Brandon is also one of the board of directors for Wellspring International Outreach (www.wellspring-outreach.org) and works with a group of others to raise money for the abandoned children of Peru.
