French Goat Cheese and Tomato Tarts

These Goat Cheese and Tomato Tarts are delicious and the perfect tart for your next get-together. The crust is so versatile!

Greetings from Paris! We have a delightful recipe to share today, our Goat Cheese and Tomato Tarts but first a bit about our adventure here in "The City of Lights".

For any of our new readers, and those who may not have checked in with us over the past week; we're posting from Paris, France. Scott and I have a 40th anniversary this year and we couldn't think of a better place to celebrate it than in the City of Light. Did you know it's also known as the city of love?

We've rented a little flat in the heart of the Latin District (We shared a pictorial tour of it yesterday - Part 1). We'll continue with Our Little (very little) Paris Apartment - Part 2 soon, but thought we'd take a little veer today to share a fabulous (French) recipe, a fun story and a delicious adventure.

A number of years ago I read about a really unusual, really easy and supposedly super delicious crust, perfect for pies and tarts of all kinds. My interest was piqued, but honestly, I was quite doubtful.

But, the person writing about it was David Lebovitz, and I have to say, he ranks as quite trustworthy in my book. So I gave it a try. The crust was tender and flaky with a fabulous brown butter flavor - definitely the easiest pie/tart crust I'd ever made. I loved that there was no rolling, no cutting butter into flour, no pre-baking the crust and no fancy equipment involved other than a glass bowl and a sturdy spoon. I've been making this crust ever since and the recipe is always requested when I serve it to guests.

There was something else I learned that day, as I read David's article. Or I should say someone else. It was Paule Caillat, a French cooking school chef who runs a culinary school in Paris called Promenades Gourmandes. I read about her fabulous market classes where she takes small groups of students to her favorite gourmet markets and introduces them to the Parisian culinary world.

Ever since a class at Promenades Gourmandes has been on my culinary bucket list. Earlier this year, when Scott and I were planning our trip to Paris, I emailed Paule but figured we were probably too late to attend one of her very popular classes. I was excited when she responded that there was an opening and Scott and I have been anticipating it ever since.

Bright and early this past Wednesday morning we left our Little (very little) Paris Apartment to navigate our way to the Rue Montorgueil, the rendezvous point Paule had specified, in front of the famous Pâtisserie Stroher (the oldest pastry shop in Paris!).

We got to the Rue Montorgueil a bit early and enjoyed cappuccinos while we waited. Bolangeries (bakeries), pâtisseries (pastry shops), boucheries (butcher shops), poissonneries (fish shops), cours des halles (produce shops), fromageries (cheese shops) and chocolaterie (you can guess what these are) lined the bustling street.

I recognized immediately Paule from pictures I'd seen online; a diminutive woman with a warm, friendly smile. She introduced herself, her perfect English paired with a charming French accent. We bonded quickly and soon we were off on our culinary adventure.

Since Scott took lots of pictures so I'll let some of them give you a peek into our day:

After Paule introduced herself we learned about the agenda for the day - a visit to the local markets to purchase our supplies, a short walk to Paule's Paris apartment, a morning of cooking together and then lunch.

First stop was the cours des halles (the produce shop). We bought carrots, asparagus, mushrooms, celery and fresh herbs. Everything was absolutely gorgeous!

Of course, no meal in France is complete without bread, baguettes to be precise so that was our next stop.

Next stop was the fromagerie where the cheesemonger chose a special selection of cheeses from an amazing, mind-boggling selection.

On to the boucherie (butcher shop). Oh my, now this was a true butcher shop, the kind you don't find much anymore in the U.S. This fellow is an artist (pronounced arteest in French) in his trade.

Our little Caddie (shopping cart on wheels used frequently by the French to tote their groceries home from the market) was getting full! It was time to head to Paule's apartment where she holds her Promenades Gormandes classes.

We cooked all morning under Paule's expert instruction and learned all kinds of fascinating tips, tricks and facts about cooking in general and French cooking specifically.

Of course, we HAD to have Paule's famous crust as part of our lunch. It can be used for both sweet and savory tarts. It was so fun seeing her make it and learning little tips from the maestro herself. Paule filled the tart with an absolutely amazing chocolate ganache filling and topped it with fresh raspberries.

Magnifique! We're obviously not the only ones who feel this way as Paule's crust has also been touted in Saveur magazine and Food 52.

We were starving by lunchtime and thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful meal we had prepared. The menu was fabulous: Petits Soufflés de Christope  (Twice Baked Souffles), Classique Salad Francaise (Classic French Salad), Poulet aux Deux Moutardes (Chicken with Mustard Sauce) and Tarte su Chocolat with Ma Pâte Sucreé (Chocolate Tart with the Caillat Family Crust).

It was an awesome day, so awesome that no one wanted to leave. We sat around the table till almost 4 o'clock that afternoon enjoying the food and each other's company. It's was truly a dream come true!

Oh, and the Goat Cheese and Tomato Tarts are delicious, and an the perfect tart for your next get-together. The crust is so versatile!? Paule's crust pairs perfectly with the light, fresh thyme scented filling. I made them several times recently. Once was for a best friend's birthday lunch.

All of the guests loved these Goat Cheese and Tomato Tarts and the recipe was requested by many.

The tarts can be made in advance and warmed up just before serving. They'd be perfect for a Mother's day or spring brunch. We've enjoyed them for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If you ever get a chance to visit Paris, be sure to check out Promenades Gourmandes. You won't be disappointed. And if you want a little taste of Paris without even leaving your home whip up Paule's wonderful crust for these Goat Cheese and Tomato Tarts or another favorite pie, tart or quiche recipe. Bon Appetit!

Note: the recipe below yields 6 5-inch tart shells. I actually double Paule's crust recipe for the 6 servings. If you want to make an 8 or 9-inch crust, follow this recipe.

5 from 6 votes

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Goat Cheese and Tomato Tarts

Goat Cheese and Tomato Souffle Tarts - Delicious and make ahead, perfect for special celebrations. Everyone seems to love them!

Author: Chris Scheuer

Course: Breakfast/Brunch

Cuisine: French-American

Keyword: Goat Cheese and Tomato Tarts

Prep Time: 25 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 40 mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes sliced about ⅓-inch thick and placed on several thickness of paper towels to drain excess liquid
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 4 3-4 inch sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 medium shallot thinly sliced
• 1 medium bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs separated
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2-3 ounces soft mild goat cheese crumbled
• ¼-½ teaspoons salt
• prepared tart shells see recipe below
• fresh thyme sprigs for garnish if desired

Instructions

1. Heat milk, thyme, shallot and bay leaf till it bubbles and simmers, then remove from heat and allow to steep for one hour. Strain milk through a fine strainer and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 375°F.
3. Melt butter in a heavy bottom sauce pan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk to combine. Reduce heat to low and cook for 3 minutes, stirring continuously. Add the steeped milk all at once. Stir continuously till mixture is bubbly and thickened.
4. Remove from heat and add egg yolks, stir well till completely incorporated. Add Parmesan and goat cheese and stir to combine. It's okay if some small pockets of goat cheese remain.
5. Place egg whites in a clean, medium size bowl and beat with an electric mixer till stiff peaks form. Add ¼ of the egg whites to the cheese mixture and fold gently from the bottom up. Add half of the remaining egg whites and fold until combined. Repeat with remaining whites. Mix gently till combined.
6. Scoop batter into prepared, pre-baked shells. Top with sliced tomatoes. Brush surfaces of tomatoes gently with olive oil. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.
7. Place sheet pan in oven and bake until soufflés are puffed and light golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately or keep at room temperature for 3-4 hours. Reheat for 8-10 minutes at 375˚F before serving.
8. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves, if desired

5 from 6 votes

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French Tart Crust Recipe

Buttery, crisp and super delicious. Oh and it's easy with no rolling, cutting butter into flour or pre-baking and it can be made in advance. Could you ask for more?

Author: Adapted by Chris Scheuer from Paule Caillat and David Lebovitz

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• 6 ounces 180g unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil I used canola
• 6 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 slightly-rounded cups 300g or 10 ounces flour

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 410º F (210º C).
2. In a medium-sized Pyrex bowl, combine the butter, oil, water, sugar, and salt.
3. Place bowl in the preheated oven for 15 minutes,until the butter is bubbling and brown around the edges.
4. Carefully remove the bowl from oven. Using an oven mit to hold the bowl, pour the flour into the butter mixture and stir until the dough comes together and forms a ball. d
5. Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces and transfer them to 6 5-inch tart pans (with removable bottoms)
6. When the dough is cool enough to handle, pat it into the pans and use your fingers to press it up the sides of the tart molds.
7. Prick the dough all over with the tines of a fork then place the tart pans on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.