This Mushroom Tart features buttery puff pastry layered with Gruyere cheese and sautéed mushrooms for a delicious, easy-to-make dish. Perfect for brunch, dinner, or as an appetizer, the flavors come together effortlessly for a dish that’s versatile and perfect for springtime meals.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Mushrooms:
- 10 oz assorted mushrooms (white, brown, cremini, or shiitake mushrooms), sliced (about 2 1/2 – 3 cups)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1/2 tsp coarse salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
For the Tart:
- 1 sheet puff pastry dough, thawed
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese (or Swiss cheese as a substitute)
- 2-3 cups arugula for serving
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the puff pastry dough into a 10-inch by 12-inch rectangle. Pinch and roll the edges to form a half-inch border. Use a fork to make dots across the center of the dough.
- In a frying pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and stir briefly before adding the sliced mushrooms. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add thyme sprigs, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, until the mushrooms are softened. Remove thyme sprigs and set aside.
- Spread 1 cup of cheese on the pastry and bake for 10 minutes. If the pastry puffs up, press it down with a fork.
- Spread the cooked mushrooms evenly over the cheese, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Bake for an additional 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden.
- Top with fresh arugula before serving.
Estimated Nutritional Value (per serving, assuming 6 servings):
- Calories: 300-350 kcal
- Protein: 7-10g
- Fat: 20-25g
- Saturated Fat: 10-12g
- Carbohydrates: 25-30g
- Fiber: 2-3g
- Sugars: 3-5g
- Cholesterol: 40-50mg
- Sodium: 400-500mg
- Calcium: 100-150mg
- Iron: 2-3mg
Why You’ll Love This Mushroom Tart
This Mushroom Tart is a crowd-pleaser thanks to its simple yet sophisticated flavors. One of the best parts of this recipe is the versatility it offers. You can serve it for brunch, as a light lunch, or as a delicious starter to a larger meal. The flavors come together effortlessly, with the buttery, golden crust serving as the perfect base for the savory filling.
The combination of mushrooms and cheese is a timeless classic that never fails to impress. The richness of Gruyère cheese beautifully complements the earthiness of the sautéed mushrooms. Additionally, the puff pastry provides a light, crispy texture that contrasts perfectly with the creamy filling, making each bite satisfying and indulgent. What’s more, it’s easy to prepare and can be customized to suit your preferences, making it a perfect dish for various occasions.
The Benefits of Mushrooms in This Tart
Mushrooms are the star of this tart, and they not only provide an incredible depth of flavor but also offer numerous health benefits. Mushrooms are low in calories, making them a great option for those looking to maintain a balanced diet. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, potassium, and antioxidants, which contribute to overall health and wellness. Additionally, mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which are beneficial compounds that support immune health.
In this Mushroom Tart, mushrooms are sautéed with garlic and fresh thyme, enhancing their natural flavors. The process of cooking the mushrooms softens them, allowing them to soak up all the wonderful flavors from the butter, garlic, and herbs, making them even more delicious. Whether you use white mushrooms, cremini, shiitake, or a mix of different varieties, each mushroom type adds its unique flavor profile, elevating the tart’s taste.
The Allure of Puff Pastry
Another key ingredient in this tart is the puff pastry. Puff pastry is made by layering butter and dough, which causes the dough to puff up when baked. This creates a flaky, buttery texture that is the perfect base for any savory filling. It adds a delicious crunch to the tart and provides a satisfying contrast to the soft, creamy filling made from the mushrooms and cheese.
The puff pastry’s lightness allows the other flavors of the dish to shine through without overwhelming the palate. The fact that puff pastry is easy to work with—especially when using store-bought dough—makes this dish even more convenient to prepare. The pastry is rolled out into a rectangle, creating a perfect shape for this tart. With minimal effort, you can achieve a beautiful, flaky, and crisp crust that will impress your guests.
Gruyère Cheese: A Creamy, Nutty Addition
Gruyère cheese, known for its nutty and slightly salty flavor, is the perfect cheese to complement the earthy mushrooms. It melts beautifully, creating a creamy texture that binds the mushrooms together while enhancing the flavor of the dish. If you prefer, you can substitute Gruyère with Swiss cheese, which has a milder taste but still offers that wonderful meltiness. The richness of the cheese adds depth to the tart, balancing the mushrooms’ earthiness and the puff pastry’s lightness.
In addition to its flavor, Gruyère is also a good source of calcium, which is essential for bone health, and protein, which helps maintain muscle and tissue function. When paired with mushrooms, it creates a deliciously rich filling that is satisfying and indulgent without being overly heavy.
Serving Suggestions for Your Mushroom Tart
One of the great things about this Mushroom Tart is how easily it can be adapted to various side dishes. The tart itself can be served as a standalone dish, but pairing it with the right sides can elevate the meal further.
Fresh Arugula: Adding arugula to the tart right before serving provides a fresh, peppery contrast to the rich flavors of the mushrooms and cheese. The peppery bite of arugula complements the creamy filling, balancing the flavors and adding a touch of brightness. Arugula is also a healthy addition, as it is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium and iron.
Side Salads: For a light and refreshing accompaniment, consider pairing the tart with a simple mixed green salad. A light vinaigrette can help cut through the richness of the tart, providing a perfect balance of flavors. You can also add other greens such as spinach or kale for added nutritional value.
Soup Pairings: If you’re looking to serve the tart as part of a larger meal, it pairs beautifully with a bowl of light vegetable soup or a creamy potato leek soup. The tart’s richness is balanced out by the soup’s brothiness, making it a perfect duo for a comforting, wholesome meal.
Why This Mushroom Tart is Perfect for Spring
Spring is the season when fresh ingredients like mushrooms, arugula, and herbs come into their peak, making this Mushroom Tart the ideal dish to celebrate the season. The bright, green arugula adds a pop of color and freshness that is symbolic of spring’s renewal. Mushrooms, on the other hand, are typically in season during the cooler months, making them a perfect hearty addition to a dish that can be served all year round.
The lightness of the puff pastry combined with the fresh ingredients creates a dish that is perfect for a spring brunch or a light dinner. The tart’s simple yet sophisticated flavor profile makes it a versatile dish that can be served for many different occasions, from casual weekday meals to more formal gatherings.
A Dish for All Occasions
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, preparing a special brunch, or just looking for a flavorful weeknight meal, this Mushroom Tart is the perfect solution. It’s a dish that’s easy to make, yet looks and tastes incredibly elegant. The combination of creamy mushrooms, melted cheese, and crispy pastry is sure to impress your guests, while also satisfying the taste buds of anyone who loves comforting, flavorful food.
This tart is also highly adaptable to various dietary preferences. You can easily make it vegetarian by ensuring that the cheese and puff pastry are free of animal rennet. For a gluten-free version, simply swap out the puff pastry for a gluten-free alternative, and you have a dish that everyone can enjoy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Mushroom Tart is an irresistible dish that brings together the best of savory flavors, rich textures, and easy-to-find ingredients. With sautéed mushrooms, Gruyère cheese, and buttery puff pastry, this tart is both comforting and indulgent, yet light enough to be enjoyed during warmer months. The versatility of this dish makes it a perfect addition to any meal, whether as a brunch dish, appetizer, or main course. Whether you’re serving it to family, friends, or guests, this Mushroom Tart is sure to be a hit and leave everyone craving more.