If you’re still looking for a Christmas appetizer, this Brussels Sprouts Cherry Tomato Tart is a great one that’s easy to make, yet elegant, and so delicious that you may want to start serving it at all your dinner parties.
By the way, do dinner parties still exist? Or have they been relegated to our parents’ generation? By that I mean, the boomers.
Boomers have spread their influence far and wide, for longer than anyone can remember. Why do you think there are remakes after remakes of movies they grew up watching? They want you to watch them, too, so you too can be culturally as savvy as they are. At least that’s what boomers think of themselves. Savvy and sophisticated. I know for sure that’s how my mom feels.
I’m here to vouch for her. My mom IS both savvy and sophisticated. But guess what? She doesn’t give dinner parties, either. She gives parties, period. Catered parties. Soo…savvy. Not savvy enough, though, to serve this tart. Lol, sorry, Mom, it’s the truth!
Her caterer doesn’t have Brussels Sprouts Tarts on their menu. They don’t have Brussels Sprouts, period.
Anyway, I was going to say that the baby boomers’ influence ended, it seems, with dinner parties. We don’t hear people giving or going to dinner parties anymore. Millennials completely killed them. Which is so sad. I kind of like dinner parties.
And if I were to give one, especially around Christmas, I would definitely serve these Brussels Sprouts Cherry Tomato Tarts. You should, too.
5 Reasons Why You Should Serve This Brussels Sprouts Cherry Tomato Tarts at Christmas
- Just look at them. Don’t they have that Christmassy feel to them, with the green brussels sprouts and red cherry tomatoes? Green and red are classic Christmas colors, aren’t they?
- The brussels sprouts and cherry tomatoes are nestled on a bed of creamy and melty cheese, encased in a shatteringly crisp puff pastry shell. Need I say more?
- These tarts can be made with any combination of cheeses of your choice, as long as at least one of them is the melty kind.
- They can be made ahead, and still taste fabulous at room temperature.
- They look like you’ve spent the whole day making them, but are actually quick and easy to make, and pretty much fool-proof.
I can go on and on, I suppose, but I hope I gave you enough of a nudge to include this appetizer in your Christmas menu. You won’t be sorry.
For a light lunch, I had one of these Brussels Sprouts Cherry Tomato Tarts, with a side salad, and I felt like I was dining in a French bistro or something. It was sublime!
Here’s the handy dandy recipe you can print:
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 dozen red cherry tomatoes
- 1 dozen brussels sprouts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- ½ cup shredded fontina cheese
- Fresh thyme leaves
- Salt & pepper
- Preheat oven to 375° F.
- Cut the vegetables in half. Toss them in olive oil, sprinkle with salt & pepper, then roast them in the oven for 10 minutes, until they're softened slightly.
- Roll out puff pastry, on a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a square measuring about 10×10 inches.
- Cut four 5-inch circles out of the puff pastry, and place them in tart molds that are slightly smaller. Prick the base of the pastry with a fork, so it doesn’t puff up too much. Or you can blind bake the pastry. (*See how-to photos below)
- Bake the pastry for about 10 minutes until puffed and golden. Remove from oven.
- Spread ¼ cup ricotta cheese on the bottom of each tart, followed by 2 tablespoons of fontina. Then nestle tomatoes and brussels sprouts on top. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and thyme leaves.
- Bake for 10 more minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
If you like this recipe, please give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comments section below. Thanks!
Yumm! These tomato tarts look amazing!
Thanks, Veronica! ?
I love sprouts and these tarts are a great idea and look so tasty!
Thanks, Cat! These are made for sprouts lovers like you ?
These are a “must try” Angie! They look awesome and sound delicious.
Thanks, Irene! Did I mention they’re also easy and fool-proof? I guess I did, lol.
Looks yummy, I LOVE sprouts. I added the app to my ipad, then signed in here o the computer and hope I was successful in saving your recipe. Popped over from the linky party on French Ethereal.
You can always just print the recipe or pin it on your Pinterest board. I’m glad you like these tarts, thanks!
These tarts sound amazing! I love Brussel sprouts and always looking for new ways to cook with them. Pinned
Thanks, Marie! I’m so glad you like them!
Angie, these are soooo lovely! Must make them for my next “do,” likely not an actual dinner-party party. And, BTW, the boomers are getting too tired to give dinner parties anymore! 😀 #FullPlateThursday
Lol, I guess so. I’m not that young myself, but I’m also tired! That’s why I usually just have a potluck, lol. Thanks for stopping by, Jean.
They look so delicious!! I love sprouts 🙂
Thanks, Kat!
I love sprouts and it is great to see them given “centre stage” in this recipe!
Thanks, Rosemary!
Well this is all kinds of genius!
Lol, thanks, Chloe!
What size tart pans and where did you get them? Recipe looks amazing. Can’t wait to try it.
The tart pans are about 4 1/2 inches diameter, and I bought them from TJ Maxx, but that was a few years ago. I hope you get to try these tarts, they’re delicious!
Oh my gosh! Well I’m a boomer and I’m sometimes saying on posts that such and such would be great at a dinner party but holy cow, Angie, I think you’re right…dinner parties just aren’t as much of a thing anymore.Wow and forehead slap!
Love this tart!! Your Mom’s caterers ought to take a look at Fiesta Friday!!!
I’m always all about the party. What a genius idea! I would never thought to have done this with them and don’t they look sooo pretty?! Such a great way to begin a party. I’m sure your Mum wishes she had. Thanks SO much Angie for linking up to #BakingCrumbs
I don’t know if I will make this at Christmas but I pinned it to try later. It looks amazing! Thanks for linking up with me.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thanks, Shelbee!
I have a soft spot for puff pastry and love a puff pastry appetizer. These little tartlets look so pretty and sound absolutely delicious. I have a long list of dishes I need to make for Christmas but I might be able to squeeze this one in. If I do I’ll let you know how these turned out. Thank you for joining in with #CookBlogShare.
Thanks, Monika! Yes, please let me know how they turn out!
These really are festive! My husband would love them. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen
I love the look of these. They’re full of things I love – puff pastry, tomatoes and sprouts. Yum #BakingCrumbs
Thanks so much, Helen! ?