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Cheese & Herb Free-Form Tart

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A rustic puff pastry tart layered with a creamy cheese and herb filling, spring vegetables, and fresh micro greens. Golden, flaky, and perfect for brunch, picnics, or light lunches.

  • Author: Sophia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • Chervil, chopped
  • Flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 150 g crème fraîche
  • 3 egg yolks (2 for filling, 1 for brushing)
  • 100 g Gruyère cheese, grated
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 spring onions, sliced (plus extra for garnish)
  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • 4 asparagus spears, sliced lengthwise
  • 1 small zucchini, sliced lengthwise
  • Handful of micro salad leaves, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
  2. Mix chervil, parsley, crème fraîche, 2 egg yolks, and half the Gruyère in a bowl. Season to taste.
  3. Melt butter in a small pan, sauté spring onions for 1–2 minutes until softened, cool slightly, and stir into cheese mixture.
  4. Roll puff pastry into a 35 x 40 cm rectangle on a floured surface. Place on tray, prick all over with a fork, cover with another sheet of baking paper and a second tray. Bake for 25 minutes, remove top tray, then bake another 5 minutes until crisp and golden.
  5. Blanch asparagus and zucchini in boiling water for 10 seconds, refresh in iced water, and pat dry.
  6. Spread half the cheese mixture over pastry, leaving a 1 cm border. Arrange vegetables on top, dollop remaining cheese mixture, and sprinkle with rest of Gruyère. Brush border with beaten egg yolk.
  7. Return tart to oven for 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden.
  8. Before serving, garnish with shredded spring onion and micro salad leaves. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Substitute Gruyère with goat cheese or feta for a sharper flavor.
  • Replace chervil with dill or tarragon if unavailable.
  • Add mushrooms or smoked salmon for a heartier version.
  • Swap in roasted root vegetables for a winter-friendly twist.
  • Pre-bake pastry to avoid sogginess before adding toppings.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorymomskitchen.com/cheese-herb-free-form-tart/