Goat Cheese - Tomato Tart

This is a very delicious and easy to make tart. I like it especially when I have my friends over for lunch. The individual tarts look just darling!


Ingredients:

1 package (17.3 ounces/2 sheets) puff pastry, defrosted
Good olive oil
4 cups thinly sliced yellow onions (2 large onions)
3 large garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons dry white wine
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
8 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, plus 2 ounces shaved with a vegetable peeler
8 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese (recommended: Montrachet)
2 large tomatoes, cut into 4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
3 tablespoons julienned basil leaves


Directions:

Unfold a sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll it lightly to an 11 by 11-inch square. Cut 4 squares from each sheet of puff pastry. Place the pastry squares on 2 sheet pans lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until ready to use.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium to low heat and add the onions and garlic. Saute for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are limp and there is almost no moisture remaining in the skillet. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the wine, and thyme and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, until the onions are lightly browned. Remove from the heat.

Using a sharp paring knife, score a 1/4-inch-wide border around each pastry square. Prick the pastry inside the score lines with the tines of a fork and sprinkle a tablespoon of grated Parmesan on each one, staying inside the scored border.

Equally divide the onion mixture on each piece of pastry, again staying within the scored edge. Crumble 1 ounce of goat cheese on top of the onions. Place a slice of tomato in the center of each tart (or two small ones). Brush the tomato lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with basil, salt, and pepper. Finally, scatter 4 or 5 shards of Parmesan on each tart.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. The bottom sheet pan may need an extra few minutes in the oven. Serve hot or warm.


Source: Recipe Courtesy of Ina Garten - "Back to Basics" (Slightly adapted)