20 Minute Cheesy Caprese Pesto Tarts
I don't know about you, but I adore appetizers, especially around the holidays. We make these 20 minute cheesy pesto tarts all the time!
Servings: 24
Ingredients
For the Pesto
- 1/4 Cup Fisher Walnuts
- 3 Cloves Garlic
- 3 Cups Basil fresh, packed
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil Extra Virgin plus 1 Tablespoon
- 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese plus 1 Tablespoon
- 1/2 teaspoon Lemon Zest
- 1/2 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- Salt to taste
For the Tarts
- 2 Sheets Puff Pastry
- 1 Cup Grape Tomatoes halved
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese cubed
- 1 Pinch Black Pepper fresh cracked
- Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
Instructions
For the Pesto
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the walnuts and garlic.1/4 Cup Fisher Walnuts, 3 Cloves Garlic
- Toast for a few minutes or until golden brown, shaking the pan occasionally to toss the nuts and promote even color.
- Once the nuts are done, remove them from the pan and continue to toast the garlic.
- Remove it from the pan and remove the skin.
- Wait until both are cooled.
- Place the basil, nuts, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and zest in a blender and pulse until smooth, but still a tad grainy in texture.3 Cups Basil, 1/4 Cup Olive Oil Extra Virgin, 1/2 teaspoon Lemon Zest, 1/2 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- Place everything in a bowl and stir in the cheese.1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
- Salt to taste and set aside.Salt
For the Tarts
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Sprinkle a little flour on the counter and roll out the puff pastry sheets.2 Sheets Puff Pastry
- Using a biscuit cutter or large glass, cut the dough into circles.
- Using a fork, poke holes all over the dough and gently press into a mini muffin tin.
- Place in the oven for about 10 minutes, remove from the oven and using a small spoon or tart press, push the sides back out, making a well in each center. I often use my fingers and burn myself, but do it anyway. :)
- Fill each cup with 1 teaspoon or so of prepared pesto.
- Add a tomato to each cup, a sprinkle of cheese and place in the oven for 5 minutes or until golden and cheesy.1 Cup Grape Tomatoes, 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese
- Remove from the oven and add a pinch of black pepper and drizzle of balsamic glaze.1 Pinch Black Pepper, Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
- Serve immediately or at room temperature.
Video
Notes
These tarts can be assembled hours before, stored in the fridge covered with plastic wrap until you're ready to bake and serve.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 188mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 251IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg