Description
Morel mushroom tarts bring French countryside elegance to gourmet tables, showcasing delicate woodland flavors. Rustic yet refined, these tarts offer a luxurious culinary journey that will tempt sophisticated palates with their rich, earthy charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
Filling Ingredients:
- 2 cups morel mushrooms, cleaned and chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Seasoning and Garnish:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 beaten egg (for brushing)
Instructions
- Prepare the pastry dough by blending cream cheese and butter until velvety. Gradually incorporate flour at low speed, ensuring a cohesive mixture. Wrap and chill the dough for minimum 60 minutes to firm up.
- Meticulously cleanse morel mushrooms by immersing in salted cold water, then thoroughly rinse and delicately pat dry. Finely dice the mushrooms into uniform pieces.
- Sauté diced onions in butter over medium heat until translucent and soft. Introduce chopped morels and cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing excess moisture to evaporate completely.
- Create a creamy herb mixture by whisking sour cream with flour, salt, marjoram, and rosemary. Gently fold this aromatic blend into the sautéed mushroom and onion medley.
- On a generously floured surface, roll the chilled dough to a precise 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 3-inch round cutter to shape 24 circles. Cut a small ventilation slit in half the rounds.
- Arrange 12 plain dough circles on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Distribute filling evenly, leaving a small border. Moisten edges with water, then carefully cover with remaining rounds.
- Crimp edges using a fork to seal, then delicately brush tops with beaten egg for a golden sheen.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 25 minutes until pastry turns a rich, golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving warm for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Choose fresh morel mushrooms with firm, intact caps and no signs of decay for the best flavor and texture.
- Thoroughly clean morels by gently soaking in cold salted water to remove dirt and potential insects, but avoid over-washing to preserve delicate mushroom structure.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for easier mixing and smoother dough consistency when preparing the pastry base.
- Ensure even moisture evaporation when sautéing mushrooms to prevent soggy tart filling and achieve concentrated, rich mushroom flavor.
- For gluten-free adaptation, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend in both dough and filling.
- Make ahead and freeze unbaked tarts for convenient meal preparation, storing them between parchment layers to prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 299
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 142 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 54 mg