Mediterranean Tartlets

Posted on September 30, 2011 by thecompletebook

I’d rather you don’t but judge me if you must; I do not make puff pastry, I honestly don’t think it is worth the effort when there are lovely brands available in store and I always have one or two rolls of puff pastry in the freezer, just waiting to be turned into something tasty. Puff pastry can transform an ordinary dish into an extraordinary one. I got the idea for these wonderful tratlets from the Baked and Delicious magazine and they will be making a regular appearance on our lunch menu – think next round will be a chicken liver and onion variation.

Mediterranean Tartlets

As ameneded from Baked and Delicious

Ingredients

400g packet puff pastry defrosted
16 anchovies
Half round of feta crumbled
16 roma tomatoes quarted
8 slices streaky bacon cut in half
Vegetable / Italian spice
Olive oil for drizzling
1 egg beaten

Method

Preheat the oven to 200°C.
Roll out the pastry and cut into 4 pieces and place on a greased baking sheet , leaving a small gap between each one.
Use a sharp knife to mark a 1cm border around each piece of pastry, taking care not to cut right through the pastry.
Arrange all of the ingredients on the 4 pieces of pastry and sprinkle with the spice and olive oil.
Brush the edges of the tarts with the egg and bake for 20 minutes.

A nice addition would be some basil pesto spread onto the pastry before adding all of the other ingredients. 🙂

56 thoughts on “Mediterranean Tartlets”

frugalfeeding on September 30, 2011 at 09:10 said:

These look awesome. Lots of professionals don’t make puff pastry, I don’t either. I’ve only ever heard the top shop bought brands being praised, so… don’t feel bad 😀

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- thecompletecookbook on September 30, 2011 at 09:44 said:
  
  Thanks, they were tasty. Have a lovely weekend. 🙂
  
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Anna Johnston on September 30, 2011 at 09:46 said:

I’m a chaf and couldn’t agree more. Why put in so much effot for an item you can find that is brilliant pre done. 🙂 Great little dish.

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- thecompletecookbook on September 30, 2011 at 10:45 said:
  
  Glad you agree Anna. Have a super weekend. 🙂 xo
  
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Sook on September 30, 2011 at 09:55 said:

Sounds great, Mandy!

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- thecompletecookbook on September 30, 2011 at 10:46 said:
  
  Thanks Sook – these are great for a quick easy and tasty lunch. Have a super weekend. 🙂
  
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chicaandaluza on September 30, 2011 at 10:31 said:

I don´t think many people do make puff pastry – I certainly don´t! I often make something similar to this too – it´s great as you can just vary the toppings to suit what you have. Yum!

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- thecompletecookbook on September 30, 2011 at 10:46 said:
  
  Absolutely, the toppings are endless Tanya – almost like pizza toppings. Have a great weekend. 🙂
  
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Yvette on September 30, 2011 at 11:22 said:

no, I can clearly say puff pastry isn’t one of the those kitchen challenges I would partake in! great tartlets! Have a great weekend!

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- thecompletecookbook on September 30, 2011 at 11:39 said:
  
  Glad everybody seems to be in agreement with about making puff pastry. Have a great weekend too. 🙂
  
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ChgoJohn on September 30, 2011 at 15:01 said:

Puff pastry is one item where the store-bought version is a very good alternative to homemade — and such a time saver. This tart looks delicious, made even more so knowing that you’ve included anchovies. Great recipe!

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- thecompletecookbook on September 30, 2011 at 15:22 said:
  
  I love anchovies ChgoJohn and eat them straight out of the bottle! Have a super weekend. 🙂
  
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Kristy on September 30, 2011 at 15:44 said:

I love this tart! I was just telling Mike yesterday that I think the secret to managing my lunches during the week is going to be Mid-Eastern cooking and Mediterranean cooking. Looks like this one will be making my plan. 🙂 Thanks Mandy!

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- thecompletecookbook on September 30, 2011 at 16:45 said:
  
  Oh I do love your during the week lunch idea. Have a super weekend. 🙂
  
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Joanne on September 30, 2011 at 16:21 said:

I LOVE the flavors going on in here. Yes, puff pastry is a pain! I do make my own from scratch, but that’s because the one at my grocery store is made from shortening and I don’t like the way it tastes. But if there were any all butter kinds I would buy it!

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- thecompletecookbook on September 30, 2011 at 16:47 said:
  
  Hi Joanne – kudos to you on making your own puff pastry. Not sure I would really have the patience for it all. Would be great if I could send you a couple of the brands I have here for you to test. Have a happy weekend. 🙂
  
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JamieAnne on September 30, 2011 at 17:09 said:

This looks wonderful!!

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- thecompletecookbook on September 30, 2011 at 19:36 said:
  
  Thanks JamieAnne, these really do make for a quick and easy lunch. Have a super weekend. 🙂
  
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Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide on September 30, 2011 at 17:40 said:

We don’t make puff pastry in our house either. So I won’t judge. I am going to judge this tart and say it looks fantastic.

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- thecompletecookbook on September 30, 2011 at 19:36 said:
  
  Thank you for your kind judging Greg. have a great weekend. 🙂
  
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spicegirlfla on September 30, 2011 at 17:50 said:

Puff pastry from scratch….no way!! I’m with you, its just not worth it, but this tart is definitely worth making!! I love that you used anchovies and the mix with the tomatoes and feta sounds awesome!!

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- thecompletecookbook on September 30, 2011 at 19:38 said:
  
  Glad to know I am not on my own about making puff pastry. There little tarts are great for a taste treat lunch over weekends. Have a great day. 🙂
  
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pinkpolkadotfood on September 30, 2011 at 20:14 said:

this looks wonderful and I totally agree about the pastry!

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- thecompletecookbook on October 1, 2011 at 08:15 said:
  
  Thanks Pink. Have a super weekend. :-0
  
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Kay aka Babygirl on September 30, 2011 at 20:20 said:

I will be honest.. when I saw that piece of bacon I said to myself “Tartlets here I come” LOL. I couldn’t help it lol.

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- thecompletecookbook on October 1, 2011 at 08:15 said:
  
  Bacon has the tendency to do that to us Kay. Have a super weekend. 🙂
  
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ceciliag on September 30, 2011 at 21:23 said:

This looks really tasty, a perfect weekend lunch i think.. have a great weekend mandy! c

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- thecompletecookbook on October 1, 2011 at 08:16 said:
  
  A great weekend to you to C. 🙂
  
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A Bloke Who Can Cook on October 1, 2011 at 00:36 said:

It’s Australian Rules Football Grand Final day, today. I reckon I might make up a batch of these to see us into the first quarter.

Whilst I love making my own pastry, puff pastry sheets are nonetheless a must-have in the freezer.

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- thecompletecookbook on October 1, 2011 at 08:21 said:
  
  Grand idea to make these for your Football final today. Glad you also keep some puff pastry on hand. Hope the “right” team wins today. 🙂
  
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  - A Bloke Who Can Cook on October 1, 2011 at 11:55 said:
    
    They did indeed. It was a fantastic game – knife-edge, right until about 1/2way into the final quarter, and the Geelong Cats (my son’s team, and our home town) ran away, to romp it home.
    
    I made a huge pile of these, and they got the thumbs-up all ’round.
    
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    - thecompletecookbook on October 1, 2011 at 15:47 said:
      
      Brilliant news all around – good game and appreciated tartlets. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. 🙂
      
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Heavenly Housewife on October 1, 2011 at 13:37 said:

I’ve never made my own puff pastry, I can’t see why I would, so I’m not judging you. Sometimes its cool to make something super nice and delicious without all the sweat!
*kisses* HH

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- thecompletecookbook on October 1, 2011 at 15:48 said:
  
  Glad you are in agreement HH – nothing worse than having something be a chore – takes the fun out of it all. Have a great weekend. 🙂
  
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Michael Beyer on October 1, 2011 at 14:15 said:

Great idea! I think frozen puff pastry is widely accepted as being high quality. I use it too.

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- thecompletecookbook on October 1, 2011 at 15:52 said:
  
  Puff pastry is such a great thing to have on hand – it can be turned into so many things and very quickly too. 🙂
  
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Cindy on October 1, 2011 at 14:39 said:

*drool*

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- thecompletecookbook on October 1, 2011 at 15:52 said:
  
  *hands Cindy a serviette* 🙂
  
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Kelly on October 1, 2011 at 22:43 said:

There’s something about the combination of bacon, tomato and feta that speaks very loudly to me 🙂 This looks an sounds absolutely delish Mandy!

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- thecompletecookbook on October 2, 2011 at 10:14 said:
  
  Thanks Kelly – hope you get to make these soon. Have a great Sunday. 🙂
  
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Angie's Recipes on October 2, 2011 at 06:12 said:

I sometimes prepare the puff pastry, but the store-bought pastry works perfectly for me too.
The tart looks really beautiful.

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- thecompletecookbook on October 2, 2011 at 10:16 said:
  
  Well done on preparing puff pastry Angie. These are pretty little tarts. Have a happy Sunday. 🙂
  
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Ashley@bakerbynature on October 2, 2011 at 06:15 said:

I love savory tartlets: bacon, feta, tomatoes and anchovies are an amazing combination!

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- thecompletecookbook on October 2, 2011 at 10:27 said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by Ashley. These are great for when you are stuck on what to make for lunch. Have a happy Sunday. 🙂
  
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rsmacaalay on October 2, 2011 at 09:42 said:

Bacon, feta and tomatoes. Just reading it makes my tummy rumble, yum!

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- thecompletecookbook on October 2, 2011 at 10:28 said:
  
  These are like glorified little pizza’s. Enjoy them if you make them. 🙂
  
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Tandy on October 2, 2011 at 13:25 said:

I would never try making puff pastry, unless challenged to 🙂

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- thecompletecookbook on October 2, 2011 at 16:02 said:
  
  I’m not sure how comfy I would be with a challenge – I have heard such horror stories about making puff pastry. Have a happy Sunday evening. 🙂
  
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My Inner Chick on October 2, 2011 at 16:34 said:

—All one needs is a nice glass of Merlot & this lush delight. Looks Superbly DeLish. :))) xx

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- thecompletecookbook on October 3, 2011 at 08:22 said:
  
  So good to see you back Kim. I can’t wait to read about your Vegas trip. Have a happy Monday. 🙂 xo
  
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kitchenbelleicious on October 3, 2011 at 14:02 said:

Hey I don’t judge- I feel the same way you do. Not enough time in the day to make your own puff pastry for it to turn out any better than the store-bought kind! Love this tarlet. So beautiful and delicious

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- thecompletecookbook on October 3, 2011 at 14:11 said:
  
  Thanks Belle. I am going to keep an extra packet of puff pastry in the freezer just for these tasty little tartlets. 🙂
  
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sonsothunder on October 6, 2011 at 02:11 said:

I love the baking part as much as putting the savory dishes together, but, as I cook for a living, time, energy and motivation for baking at home is not present as often as I would like for it to be…I think those pastries look perfectly usable, as well as appetizing. Great looking recipe.
Bless You

( I don’t think anyone would judge you except maybe Gordon Ramsay, and he’s still busy reading all of Cindy’s fan mail)

lol, I know she is going to pop my head for that remark…oh well, wouldn’t be the first time I was beat up.
paul

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- thecompletecookbook on October 6, 2011 at 07:44 said:
  
  What a giggle Paul – I will set Cindy on Gordon Ramsay if he starts at me for store bought puff pastry. 😉 Have a happy day. 🙂
  
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Fired Up Cooking SA on October 19, 2011 at 19:46 said:

Such a great idea, I’ve never tried this! Thanks, Mandy. Oh, and I don’t make puff pastry either 🙂

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- thecompletecookbook on October 19, 2011 at 21:24 said:
  
  Good to have you on the not making puff pastry wagon Linda. Have a happy day. 🙂
  
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