Puff Pastry Tartlets with Ricotta

Delightful Puff Pastry Tartlets with Ricotta, Boursin and Lemon Spread: A Breathtakingly Quick and Easy Appetiser. Indulge in a fantastic finger food that effortlessly combines elegance and simplicity. These Puff Pastry Tartlets feature a harmonious blend of flavours and textures. This delightful appetiser is a testament to the fact that beautiful creations need not be time-consuming or complex. Whether you’re hosting a soirée, planning a cozy gathering, or simply craving a treat for yourself, these tartlets are a must-try.

This recipe comes together effortlessly, demanding little exertion, and adapts seamlessly to serve a delicious dish for any occasion. Each tartlet is decorated with pesto and sun-dried tomato atop a delicate golden puff pastry. Its presentation is so striking that the fact you spent merely half an hour crafting it remains your secret.

The combination of buttery puff pastry, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes and decadent cream cheese spread is a uniquely rich flavour medley. The two creamy and luxurious cheeses: herbed cream cheese and ricotta whipped together with a zesty twist of lemon and honey, result in a spread which is bursting with freshness that dances on your palate. The velvety mixture is then elegantly piped onto buttery, flaky puff pastry bases, which brings the whole dish together. But what truly elevates these tartlets is their artistic topping – a carefully curated medley of vibrant rocket leaves, sun-dried tomatoes, and aromatic basil, all harmoniously united by a drizzle of vibrant pesto. This symphony of colours and flavours is as visually stunning as it is delectable, making every bite a journey for the senses.

Why you will Love this Recipe

1. Flaky Perfection: Puff Pastry Pleasure At the heart of these tartlets lies the secret to their irresistible texture – the buttery flakiness of puff pastry. Its delicate layers provide a foundation that’s both crisp and melt-in-your-mouth, setting the stage for a flavour explosion.
2. Effortless Elegance, Speedy Satisfaction While these tartlets appear gourmet, creating them is a breeze. With a recipe designed for simplicity, you can impress without stress.
3. Scale Up for Any Gathering Hosting an intimate get-together or a grand affair? Our recipe is flexible to suit any occasion. Craft individual tartlets for cozy gatherings, or opt for a larger version to share with a crowd – it’s a recipe that adapts effortlessly.
4. Visual Delight Beyond the incredible taste, these tartlets are a visual masterpiece. Adorned with slices of sun-dried tomato and boasting a golden, flaky crust, they’re a treat for the eyes as well as the palate.

Ingredients Used to Make Puff Pastry Tartlets with Ricotta

• Puff pastry – Opt for a premium puff pastry sheet to ensure a delectably golden and flaky crust. The quality of the pastry elevates the entire tartlet experience.
• Herbed Cream Cheese – Elevate the flavour profile with a luxurious layer of herbed cream cheese. I have used Boursin garlic and herb cheese. The blend of creaminess and herbaceous notes creates a symphony of taste.
• Ricotta – Choose whole milk ricotta for its rich, creamy texture and subtle sweetness. This ingredient adds a luscious depth to the spread.
• Fresh herbs – basil, parsley or chives will add a fresh and aromatic touch. And infuse every bite with a burst of freshness.
• Garlic  – imparts a deliciously pungent note that complements the other flavours perfectly.
• Lemon Zest  – Gives the spread a zesty kick that brightens up the entire composition. The citrusy essence adds a layer of complexity to the taste profile.
• Honey – Introduce a touch of sweetness with honey, balancing the savoury elements and imparting a delicate contrast that lingers on the palate.
• Toppings : Sun-dried tomatoes for an extra layer of depth and a burst of intense flavour. Rocket Leaves for a peppery and fresh element. Pesto adds a bold and aromatic dimension to the dish. Fresh Basil leaves give a vibrant, fresh and aromatic touch.

How to Make Puff Pastry Tartlets with Ricotta

1. Heat oven and prepare puff pastry – Preheat oven to 200°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the puff pastry on a clean cutting board and cut into 16 equal size rectangles.Place them on the prepared baking sheet 1″ apart. (This space allows for expansion as the pastry bakes)
2. Bake – Place in the oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Keep a close eye on the pastry during the last few minutes to avoid over-browning. Remove from the oven and transfer the baked puff pastry rectangles to a cooling rack. This will allow them to cool down and maintain their crisp texture.
3. Make cream cheese mixture  – In a bowl, combine the cream cheese and ricotta cheese. Mix them together until well blended. Add the lemon zest, fresh finely chopped herbs, honey, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix all the ingredients well until you have a smooth and flavourful cream cheese mixture. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
4. Assemble the tartlets – Take one baked and cooled puff pastry rectangle (tartlet) and place it on a clean surface. Using a piping bag or a spoon, spread a layer of the prepared cream cheese mixture onto the puff pastry. For a neater presentation pipe the mixture on the puff.
5. Next, add a few rocket leaves on top of the cream cheese mixture. Drizzle some pesto sauce over the rocket leaves followed by a slice of sun-dried tomato on top of the pesto.
6. Garnish the tartlet with fresh basil leaves for an aromatic touch.
7. Sprinkle a pinch of chilli flakes over the top to add a hint of spiciness and visual appeal.

Helpful Tips and Tricks to Make Puff Pastry Tartlets

Use Quality Puff Pastry:

• Opt for high-quality store-bought puff pastry or make your own if you’re up for the challenge.
• Ensure the puff pastry is properly thawed if using frozen sheets before cutting and baking.

Keep Ingredients Cold:

• Work with cold ingredients, especially when handling puff pastry. Cold ingredients help maintain the flakiness of the pastry.

Dock the Pastry:

• Docking the pastry (pricking holes with a fork) prevents excessive puffing and helps maintain an even texture.

Experiment with Fillings:

• Get creative with your cream cheese mixture and toppings. Try various combinations of herbs, cheeses, sauces, and garnishes.

Layer Ingredients Strategically:

• When assembling, layer wet ingredients like sauces and spreads between dry ingredients to prevent the pastry from getting soggy.

Looking for other appetiser recipes? Here are a few ideas

Puff Pastry Pinwheel Samosa

Classic Bruschetta Toast with Burrata

Kalmi Vada

Blistered Padron Peppers with Green Aioli

Crispy Onion and Halloumi Pakodas

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Puff Pastry Tartlets with Ricotta

Serves: Makes 16 pieces Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 15 Minutes 15 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 4 voted )

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Ingredients

• 1 sheet of puff pastry 
• ¼ cup milk 
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

For the Cream Cheese & Ricotta spread 

• 150 gramsBoursin garlic and herbs cream cheese, use any cream cheese 
• 100 grams full fat ricotta
• zest of 1 lemon 
• 1 tbsp finely chopped herbs, (parsley, basil, chives, tarragon)
• 1 tsp honey
• black pepper

Toppings 

• ¼ cup green pesto , homemade or store bought
• 20 grams rocket leaves
• 5-6 pieces of sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, sliced
• fresh micro basil leaves or regular basil leaves
• chilli flakes

method

1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
2. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the sheet into 16 equal-sized rectangles. You can do this by making parallel cuts both horizontally and vertically.  Ensure that the rectangles are of uniform size for even baking.
3. Place the cut puff pastry rectangles on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each piece. (This space allows for expansion as the pastry bakes)
4. Using a fork, gently prick the base of each puff pastry rectangle. This helps prevent excessive puffing during baking and creates a more even texture.
5. Sprinkle sesame seeds on half of the puff pastry rectangles. This will add a nice flavour and appearance to those pieces
6. Take a small amount of milk and brush it over the surface of all the puff pastry rectangles. This will give the pastry a nice golden colour as it bakes. Place the baking sheet with the prepared puff pastry in the preheated oven.
7. Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown and has puffed up
8. Transfer the baked puff pastry rectangles to a cooling rack. This will allow them to cool down and maintain their crisp texture.
9. In a bowl, combine the cream cheese and ricotta cheese. Mix them together until well blended. Add the lemon zest, fresh finely chopped herbs, honey, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix all the ingredients well until you have a smooth and flavourful cream cheese mixture. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
10. Assemble the tartlets - Take one baked and cooled puff pastry rectangle (tartlet) and place it on a clean surface. Using a piping bag or a spoon, spread a layer of the prepared cream cheese mixture onto the puff pastry. For a neater presentation pipe the mixture on the puff. Next, add a few rocket leaves on top of the cream cheese mixture. Drizzle some pesto sauce over the rocket leaves followed by a slice of sun-dried tomato on top of the pesto.
11. Garnish the tartlet with fresh basil leaves for an aromatic touch. Sprinkle a pinch of chilli flakes over the top to add a hint of spiciness and visual appeal.

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you did, take a picture and tag me on Instagram at @poetryofspices!