Brisè baskets with goat cheese and herbs

Name: Brisè baskets with goat cheese and herbs
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: Type 00 flour 1.6 cups; Butter ½ cup; Water very cold 3 ½ tbsp; Fine salt pinch 1; Goat 0.44 lb; Swiss chard 4 ¼ cups; Pancetta diced 3.2 oz; Parsley to chop to taste; Lemon peel to taste; Fine salt to taste; Extra virgin olive oil to taste

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Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Makes: 6 pieces
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

So here's the thing: if you are searching for an appetizer that totally shines on the holiday table, these Italian goat cheese tartlets are a must-try. Really, they're something special. Made with homemade brisè pastry, they have a light and crispy texture that pairs perfectly with a rich filling. You know, the combination of tender goat cheese and fresh herbs offers a taste of northern Italy—rich yet refreshingly light.

And here's the deal: a sprinkle of golden pancetta cubes adds a salty crunch, making them even more really really good. In Italy, dishes like these herb tartlets are super popular for Christmas buffets and casual gatherings because they're easy to pick up and share. Despite their fancy look, they're pretty simple to make, thanks to a three-step brisè pastry method that's all the rage in Italian kitchens.

During the holiday season in Italy, you'll often find a variety of puff pastry appetizers, but these really stand out with their moist and flavorful goat cheese filling. Every bite is packed with tangy and savory flavors typical of well-made mini tarts. I mean, they creatively combine classic ingredients like caprino (goat cheese) and pancetta, offering a fresh twist on traditional savory tartlets. And you know what? Some like to add seasonal herbs such as thyme or chives, giving each basket a unique and fresh vibe.

The brisè pastry provides a sturdier, more crispy base than regular puff pastry, making these goat cheese and herb baskets ideal for stacking on a platter without falling apart. Honestly, these easy appetizers are perfect for sharing with friends and family, especially during Christmas, but they're also great anytime you want to serve something unique and delicious.

And look, they not only look appealing but taste even better, often disappearing first from the table! Whether you're hosting a big gathering or a cozy dinner, these baskets are sure to impress everyone with their simple yet flavorful charm. For real, can't go wrong.

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients for 6 baskets: Type 00 flour 1.6 cups (200 g); Butter ½ cup (100 g); Water 3 ½ tbsp (50 g) - very cold; Fine salt 1 - pinch

For the filling: Goat 0.44 lb (200 g); Swiss chard 4 ¼ cups (150 g); Pancetta 3.2 oz (90 g) - diced; Parsley to taste - to chop; Lemon peel to taste; Fine salt to taste; Extra virgin olive oil to taste

Preparation

How to prepare Brisè baskets with goat cheese and herbs

To prepare the brisé baskets with goat cheese and herbs, start with the base dough. In the mixer, pour the flour, cold butter in pieces, and salt 1 and activate the blades until you get small crumbs. Add the cold water slowly, and as soon as the mixture compacts, transfer it to the work surface 2. Quickly compact it with your hands to form a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours 3.

In the meantime, move on to the herbs. After cleaning them, pour them into a saucepan with a drizzle of oil 4, cover with the lid, and let them wilt for about 5 minutes 5 6.

At the end of cooking, let the herbs drain and cool 7. In the meantime, cook the bacon as well: place the cubes in a pan 8 and let them sizzle for a few moments until they become golden, then drain them on a towel to remove the excess fat 9.

Pour the goat cheese into a bowl and add the grated lemon zest 10, chopped parsley, adjust with salt and pepper 11, and transfer the mixture into a pastry bag with a star nozzle 12.

Now that you have everything, retrieve the brisé pastry. Dust it with a pinch of flour 13 and roll it out with the rolling pin to a thickness of 1/25 inches 14. If the pastry is very cold, it will be a bit difficult to roll out, so it's better to beat it with the rolling pin first. Cut out 6 disks with a pastry cutter with a diameter of 4.3 inches 15.

Place each disk inside 6 basket-shaped molds with a top diameter of 3.1 inches 16, make the pastry adhere well to the fluted part and remove the excess with a small knife 17. At this point, place 6 pieces of parchment paper inside the molds 18.

Pour a small pile of baking beads or dried legumes inside 19 and proceed with blind baking in a preheated static oven at 392°F for about 15 minutes 20. Once cooked, remove from the oven and let the shells cool completely before filling them with the cream 21.

Garnish with the herbs by wrapping them around the fork like spaghetti 22, complete with bacon cubes 23, and your brisé baskets with goat cheese and herbs are ready 34.

Storage

It is recommended to consume brisé baskets with goat cheese and herbs immediately, however, you can keep them for a maximum of 1-2 days in the refrigerator, bearing in mind that they will lose their crispness.
Alternatively, you can also freeze the baskets, already cooked but without filling.

Tip

Add a touch of flavor and color to your brisé baskets with goat cheese and herbs by flavoring the brisé pastry dough with saffron. Instead of goat cheese, you can use ricotta!

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.