Indulge this holiday season with our quick and easy delicious appetizer; our Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Tart Recipe with Phyllo. Our take on the classic onion tart, this perfect appetizer combines the delicate layers of phyllo dough with the rich, nutty flavor, and earthy tones of caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms. Skipping the typical puff pastry sheet and using phyllo dough creates a texture and visionally appealing edges, it's a gastronomic masterpiece that looks and tastes like a work of art, yet it's surprisingly easy to create. Whether you're hosting a special gathering or simply treating yourself to a gourmet experience, this tart is bound to captivate your taste buds.
What I love most about this recipe is replacing the phyllo dough for the typical sheet of puff pastry, you skip a lightly floured surface, the rolling pin, and need for a large work surface. Using the sheet of phyllo dough, that are oiled and stacked on top of each other creates a perfect tart crust. I keep a box of phyllo in my freezer, for last minute meals or appetizers, it defrosts quickly and can be used in a variety of ways, but as a flaky puff pastry substitute is one of the best uses in our kitchen.
This recipe can my utilized as a main dish, served with a nice side salad, or as appetizers large and small. As great addition to your holiday parties; you could cut the pastry in small squares for mushroom and caramelized onion bites, or serve larger pieces of the flaky tart for a meal portion.
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Ingredients
- Phyllo Dough
- Olive oil
- Sweet yellow onions
- Mushrooms (We love King Oyster, but any kind will work)
- Dried thyme
- Dried marjoram
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Goat cheese
- Fresh parsley
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Caramelizing the Onions:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onions and lightly season with salt and pepper
- Cook while stirring occasionally until the onions turn translucent (about 5 to 8 minutes).
- Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking until the onions caramelize (about 15-20 minutes)
- Remove the caramelized onions from the pan and set them aside.
- Sautéing the Mushrooms:
- In the same pan, add ¼ cup of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Sprinkle dried thyme and marjoram into the oil and lightly toast for 30 seconds.
- Add the sliced mushrooms, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper.
- Sauté the mushrooms until they turn golden brown (about 10 minutes).
- Turn off the heat.
- Preparing the Phyllo Dough:
- Set your oven temperature to 375°F.
- Retrieve one defrosted roll of phyllo dough and cut it in half.
- Gently unroll the phyllo sheets.
- Assembling the Tart:
- Generously oil a half sheet pan with the leftover cooking oil. Or place a piece of parchment paper down first for easy cleanup and transfer to a cutting board.
- Lay one layer of phyllo onto the oiled pan and brush it lightly with the remaining cooking oil.
- Add another sheet of phyllo on top and repeat this process until all sheets are stacked.
- Adding the Fillings:
- Spread the caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms evenly over the phyllo sheets.
- Take the edges of the phyllo dough and rip them, and fold them over to create the border of the tart (see video).
- Top them with crumbled goat cheese.
- Baking and Serving:
- Bake the tart for 20-25 minutes until the phyllo is beautifully golden.
- Allow the tart to cool, and then sprinkle it with fresh chopped parsley and a pinch of salt.
- Serve the tart at room temperature as a delightful appetizer, or pair it with a side salad for a complete meal.
Substitutions
- Olive Oil: You can substitute olive oil with avocado oil or few tablespoons of butter.
- Goat Cheese: Feta cheese, shredded gruyère cheese or, ricotta cheese can be used as alternatives to goat cheese.
- Phyllo Dough: If you can't find phyllo dough, puff pastry or pie crust can work as substitutes.
Variations
- Vegan Delight: Create a vegan version by skipping the cheese and adding additional veggies; sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, or roasted red peppers.
- Meat Lovers' Twist: Enhance the flavor by adding cooked bacon, prosciutto, or chicken sausage crumbles.
- Herb-Infused Tart: Experiment with fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or basil to infuse additional flavors.
Equipment
- Large cast iron skillet or pan for caramelizing onions and sautéing mushrooms
- Half sheet pan for baking the tart. If using full size sheet pan - double recipe
- Pastry brush for oiling the phyllo sheet layers
Storage
Store any leftover tart in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat it in the oven to maintain its crispness and deliciousness.
Top tip
For an added touch of elegance, drizzle some balsamic reduction or honey over the tart before serving. The sweet and tangy notes will beautifully complement the savory richness of the tart.
FAQ
Absolutely! You can prepare this tart in advance and reheat it in the oven just before serving to maintain its crispy texture.
To keep the tart fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat it in the oven to enjoy it as if it were freshly baked.
Certainly! Feel free to experiment with various fillings, from extra veggies to different types of cheese or even adding some cooked meat for a twist that suits your taste.
Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Tart Recipe with Phyllo
Equipment
- Oven
- 1 Large skillet
- 1 Half Sheet Pan
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 1 package phyllo dough defrosted and cut in half
- ⅓ cup olive oil ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons
- 1 large onion sliced
- 8 oz mushrooms sliced
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- ¼ teaspoon marjoram
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 oz goat cheese crumbled
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley
Instructions
- Over medium high heat add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pan. Add the sliced onions. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until onions are translucent, about 5 to 8 minutes. Lower heat to medium and continue to cook until onions are caramelized, about 15 - 20 minutes. Remove from pan, set aside.
- In the same pan, add ¼ cup olive oil over medium high heat. Add dried thyme and marjoram, lightly toast for 30 seconds. Add sliced mushrooms. Add ½ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper. Sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat.
- With a slotted spoon remove mushrooms from oil, pressing out extra oil back into the pan. Set mushrooms aside.
- Once cooled, carefully pour oil into small bowl. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 375˚F.
- Remove defrosted phyllo from refrigerator, cut in half. You can refreeze second half for use later.
- Gently unroll phyllo sheets. Generously oil the half sheet pan with the leftover cooking oil. Lay one layer of phyllo onto oiled pan. Brush lightly with leftover cooking oil. Top with another sheet of phyllo. Repeat until all sheets are stacked.
- .Add your onions and mushrooms. Top with crumbled goat cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Let cool. Top with fresh parsley. Serve at room temperature as an appetizer or add a side salad for a complete meal.
Video
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Pairing
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Food safety
By following these food safety guidelines, you'll ensure that your Phyllo Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Tart is not only delicious but also safe to enjoy.
- Cleanliness: Ensure your hands, utensils, and work surfaces are clean and sanitized before handling food.
- Proper Storage: Store perishable ingredients, such as goat cheese, in the refrigerator until you're ready to use them.
- Safe Thawing: If using frozen phyllo dough, follow the recommended thawing instructions on the packaging to prevent potential contamination.
- Cooking Temperatures: Cook the tart thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure all ingredients are safe to eat.
- Refrigeration: After serving, refrigerate any leftover tart promptly, as phyllo dough and dairy products can spoil if left at room temperature for longer than two hours.
- Food Handling: When assembling the tart, be mindful of cross-contamination by using separate utensils for raw and cooked ingredients.
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