Go Back

Whipped Goat Cheese Tart with Tomato-Herb Salad

Katharine Elder
Katharine Elder makes this tart with Elderslie Farm’s Caprino Fresco, but you may use any fresh, mild but tangy goat cheese.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

TART CRUST

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup toasted pine nuts cooled
  • 1 cup unsalted butter cut into pieces
  • ½ - ¾ cup ice cold water
  • 2 teaspoons salt

WHIPPED GOAT CHEESE

  • 1 cup fresh goat cheese
  • ¼ cup cream cheese
  • Zest of one lemon
  • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt

SHERRY-HONEY REDUCTION

  • 1 cup sherry vinegar
  • ½ cup honey

TOMATO SALAD

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • Dash of salt to taste
  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Zest of two lemons
  • 1 teaspoon sherry honey reduction
  • 1 ½ cups fresh small basil leaves Other whole leaf-herbs, spinach, or arugula may be substituted

TO SERVE

  • Fresh whole-leaf herbs
  • Sherry-honey reduction

Instructions
 

  • ►CRUST: Add flour, pine nuts, and salt to a food processor and blend until mixture resembles coarsely-ground meal. Add butter and pulse until combined. Add ice water a tablespoon at a time until dough comes together. Refrigerate 90 minutes or overnight. Preheat oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove dough from fridge and roll out to large circle, -¼ inches thick. Cut four circles five inches in diameter and prick all over with a fork. Transfer to baking sheet and bake 12 minutes or just until pastry is golden brown and slightly puffy.
  • ►FILLING: Melt cheeses together in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Remove from heat, add cream, lemon zest, and salt and chill thoroughly. Whip using a hand mixer or stand mixer until fluffy.
  • ►SHERRY-HONEY REDUCTION: Place sherry vinegar and honey in a small saucepan. Simmer until reduced by half and slightly tacky, 20-30 minutes.
  • ►SALAD: Toss tomatoes with salt, olive oil, lemon zest, and sherry honey reduction. Gently fold in basil.
  • ►TO SERVE: Place a dot of whipped goat cheese on the center of four plates and place a tart crust on the cheese to keep it from slipping. Spoon a generous dollop of cheese onto crusts and use back of spoon to gently smooth cheese to edges. Divide tomato salad evenly among the plates, arranging it alongside tart. Garnish with fresh herbs and drizzle with additional sherry-honey reduction.