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The starter, French classic

Leek and goat cheese tart

This leek and goat cheese tart is a classic French starter for 6, with 35 minutes of active prep. You cook the leeks and assemble everything in the morning, then bake it just before your guests arrive. It's easy to make, costs about €2.20 per person, and the trick is letting the leeks cool fully before they touch the raw dough.

A crisp, thin tart with melted leeks and creamy goat cheese, straight from the oven just before you sit down so it still crackles.

Leek and goat cheese tart
For
6 people
Work
35 min
Total time
1 h 10
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.20
Calories per person
420 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Under crisp puff pastry, leeks melted in butter meet cream and fresh goat cheese that softens gently in the oven. A thin drizzle of honey added at the very end gives a touch of sweetness that lifts the leek without covering it. This is a thin tart, not a thick quiche, it stays light and cuts into clean slices.

It's the kind of starter you want for a dinner with friends or a family meal in fall, winter, or spring, something that looks elegant without keeping you in the kitchen all evening. It pairs well with a braised dish or a roast to follow, and it looks great served as individual portions.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 4 steps, 35 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 22 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

In the morning, cook the leeks, mix the filling, cut and prick the dough, then keep the assembled tarts in the fridge. Just before your guests arrive, brush the edges with egg and bake for 22 minutes at 200 degrees. Right before serving, drizzle with honey and add a turn of the pepper mill while the tarts are still warm.

The ingredients

6 people

Dairy

  • Puff pastry sheets 2
  • Butter 30 g
  • Fresh goat cheese 200 g
  • Thick crème fraîche 10 cl
  • Egg 1

Fruits and vegetables

  • Leeks 800 g
  • Thyme 4 sprigs

Pantry

  • Honeyoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Thinly slice the leeks and cook them in butter with the thyme, covered then uncovered, until soft and melted. 20 min

    Wash the sliced leeks in a large basin of water, the dirt sinks to the bottom.

  2. Mix the cooled leeks with the cream, salt, and pepper. 5 min

    Let them cool fully, warm leeks will soften the dough.

  3. Cut six rectangles from the dough, prick them, and lay them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. 10 min

    Leave a one centimeter border bare, it puffs up into a nice edge.

  4. Top with the leeks, crumble the goat cheese over, and chill the trays in the fridge.

    Crumble the goat cheese by hand, it melts better than sliced rounds.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Brush the edges with egg yolk and bake at 200 degrees until the pastry is well browned. 22 min

    Apply a thin coat of egg wash, if it drips down the sides the pastry won't rise properly.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Serve the tarts warm with a drizzle of honey and a turn of the pepper mill.

    Add the honey last, otherwise it darkens and caramelizes too fast.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick an all-butter puff pastry if you can find one, it puffs better and tastes richer under the moist filling.
  • Don't overload the rectangles with leeks, a thin layer cooks more evenly and keeps the pastry crisp.
  • If you only have one baking sheet, weigh down the edges with a sheet of parchment and a few dried beans to keep the puff even.

The variations

  • Swap the fresh goat cheese for crumbled feta for a saltier, firmer bite.
  • Add pan fried smoked bacon bits before the filling if your guests like a heartier starter.
  • For a quicker version, use one large rectangle of dough instead of six individual tarts, then cut it into portions after baking.

What to serve it with

  • A sharply dressed green salad after
  • A crisp dry white wine
  • A vegetable soup as a starter before

Storage

The leek filling keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, but the baked tart is best eaten the same day, it loses its crispness if it waits too long. Avoid freezing it once assembled, raw puff pastry freezes better on its own.

Questions about this recipe

Can I use shortcrust pastry instead of puff pastry?

Yes, shortcrust works too but the result will be less crisp and won't puff up at the edges. Puff pastry remains the best choice for the thin, flaky effect this tart is going for.

How do I stop the pastry from going soggy under the leeks?

Let the leeks cool completely before spreading them on the dough, residual heat is the main cause of soggy pastry. Using thick crème fraîche rather than liquid cream also helps keep moisture in check.

Can I make one big tart instead of six individual ones?

Yes, roll out one sheet of dough on a baking sheet and spread the filling over the surface, leaving the edge bare. Add a few extra minutes of baking time and cut it into portions once it comes out of the oven.

What cheese can I use if I don't like goat cheese?

Fresh sheep's cheese or well drained mozzarella can replace the goat cheese without changing the tart too much. Avoid very fatty cheeses, they release too much liquid during baking.

Can a leek and goat cheese tart be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 35 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 4 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make a leek and goat cheese tart?

Allow 1 h 10 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 35 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in a leek and goat cheese tart?

About 420 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a leek and goat cheese tart cost?

About €2.20 per person, that's €13.20 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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