Recipe

Exotic Mushroom Tarts

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup thinly sliced yellow onions
1/8 teaspoon plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon plus 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound assorted exotic mushrooms, such a shiitakes, oysters, and chanterelles, wiped clean, stems trimmed, and sliced (about 3 cups)
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/4 pound goat cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 sheet (15 X 10 inches) frozen puff pastry (found in the frozen food section), defrosted
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium-size skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, season with 1/8 teaspoon of the salt and 1/8 teaspoon of the black pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for another 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and pour the mushrooms into a medium-size mixing bowl. Add the goat cheese and 1/2 cup of the Parmigiano and stir to blend.
With a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter, cut 24 rounds out of the puff pastry. Place them on the parchment-lined baking sheet, prick each round randomly with the tines of a fork, and brush with the beaten egg. Spread a tablespoon of the mushroom mixture on each round, leaving a 1/8-inch border. Bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven, sprinkle the rounds with the remaining 1 tablespoon Parmigiano and the parsley, and let cool for several minutes before serving.