Mini tarts with mushrooms and Miez de lapte cheese

Mini Mushroom and Miez de Lapte Cheese Tarts

Who doesn't love delicious snacks that combine the crunchy texture of a tender crust with a savory filling? Mini tarts with mushrooms and Miez de Lapte cheese are the perfect choice for a party snack, a brunch with friends, or simply to pamper the family. These tarts are not only tasty but also packed with nutrients, being an excellent source of protein and vitamins. Let's start our culinary journey!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Number of servings: 9 mini tarts

Ingredients

For the tart crust:
- 100 g butter (preferably at room temperature)
- 200 g flour (you can use whole wheat flour for added fiber)
- 1 large egg (XXL) or 2 smaller ones
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3 pinches of salt

Mushroom filling:
- 7 fresh and well-washed champignon mushrooms
- 1 large red bell pepper (for a touch of sweetness and color)
- 1 bunch of green onions (for a fresh taste)
- 1/2 bunch of fresh parsley (for flavor)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (palm or olive oil)
- 2 packs of Delaco cheese (the crumbly type, ideal for the desired texture)

Cheese cream:
- 2 pieces of Miez de Lapte cheese (salty or sweet, depending on preference)
- 10 tablespoons of sweet cheese (you can opt for cottage cheese)
- 5 tablespoons of sour cream (for extra creaminess)
- 3 chopped green onion tops (for an extra freshness)
- 1 bunch of dill (spring flavor)
- 2 eggs (to bind the mixture)
- Salt to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the crust

1. Sifting the flour: In a large bowl, sift the flour to remove any impurities and aerate the ingredient. This step is essential for achieving a flaky dough.

2. Mixing the ingredients: Make a well in the center of the flour, add the egg, then sprinkle the salt on the edge and the cumin. Start mixing with a fork or your hands until the ingredients are well incorporated.

3. Kneading the dough: Continue kneading the dough until it becomes smooth and homogeneous. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.

4. Chilling the dough: Form a ball from the dough, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will help the dough firm up and make rolling it out easier.

Step 2: Preparing the cheese cream

1. Mixing the ingredients: In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese with the sour cream. Add the Miez de Lapte cheese, which we will crumble with a fork, the dill, and the chopped green onions.

2. Adding the eggs: Add the eggs and mix well. Taste and add salt to your liking. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until we deal with the mushroom filling.

Step 3: Preparing the mushroom filling

1. Sautéing the vegetables: In a pan, heat the oil and add the chopped onion. Sauté the onion until it becomes translucent, then add the finely chopped mushrooms and bell pepper.

2. Seasoning: Cook the mixture until the mushrooms release all their moisture and turn golden. Finally, add the chopped parsley, salt, and pepper to taste. Let the filling cool down.

Step 4: Assembling the mini tarts

1. Preparing the molds: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide it into 9 equal pieces. If desired, you can use a scale to achieve uniform portions.

2. Parchment paper: Prepare 9 square pieces cut from parchment paper. If you have special tart molds, this step can be skipped.

3. Rolling out the dough: Take each piece of dough and roll it directly onto the parchment paper, then transfer it to the mold, ensuring the edges are well covered.

4. Filling the tarts: Fill each tart with the cheese cream, then add the mushroom and Miez de Lapte cheese filling on top.

Step 5: Baking

1. Preheating the oven: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

2. Baking: Place the molds in the oven and bake the mini tarts for 45 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is firm.

3. Cooling: After removing them from the oven, let the mini tarts cool for a few minutes before serving. They can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

Serving suggestions and variations

These mini tarts are delicious and can be served with a fresh green salad or alongside a garlic yogurt sauce for a flavor contrast. You can also experiment with different fillings, such as spinach and feta or zucchini and goat cheese, to add a personal touch to your recipe.

Nutritional benefits

These mini tarts are rich in protein due to the cheese and eggs, while the mushrooms provide B vitamins and essential minerals. Additionally, cumin has digestive properties, and the greens used add not only flavor but also valuable nutrients.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use other types of cheese? Yes, you can experiment with feta cheese, goat cheese, or even cheddar cheese to give the tarts a different flavor.

2. How can I make the dough faster? You can use store-bought puff pastry to save time.

3. Can I freeze the mini tarts? Yes, you can freeze the unbaked tarts. When you want to eat them, you can bake them directly from the freezer, but you will need to add a few minutes to the baking time.

These mini tarts with mushrooms and Miez de Lapte cheese are an excellent choice for any occasion, offering a delicious combination of flavors and textures. Enjoy your meal!