These Artichoke and Tomato Salad Tarts are perfect easy appetizers for any parties, big or small. The flaky pastry with the refreshing artichoke and tomato salad makes it so delicious at every bite! You can make the same tart using a butter pie crust too.
Puff pastry tarts are simply the best. I always stock up a sheet in the freezer to whip up a quick meal on busy days like this Artichoke and Tomato Salad Tarts. Yes, it is an indulgence with all that layers or butter hidden in the pastry sheet, but occasionally it's fine!
The addition of artichoke hearts with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and peas gives a lovely refreshing bite.
You can choose to slice the puff pastry much smaller into bite size appetizers or use an entire sheet and turn it into a meal.
The first time I had prepared a very similar dish was way back in 2012 as part of a food photography challenge. The recipe of the colorful tart was from Donna Hay magazine nr. 61.
With Holiday season round the corner I decided to prepare it again but with minute changes as per my liking.
Ingredients for Artichoke and Tomato Salad Tarts
- Frozen Puff Pastry
- Frozen Peas or fresh peas if you have it available
- Cherry tomatoes
- Store bought Artichoke hearts dipped in oil
- Fresh basil
- Cream Cheese
Make sure the cream cheese is soft at room temperature, so you can spread it evenly on the puff pastry.
Steps to assemble the Artichoke and Tomato Salad Tarts
There is no strict rule on how to assemble the tart but here is how I do it.
Spread a layer of cream cheese on the frozen tart. Add a couple or one artichoke heart based on the side of the puff pastry along with few cherry tomatoes.
Bake until golden brown and flaky.
Then top the puff pastry tart with the tomato salad.
Points to keep in mind when working with puff pastry
You want to make sure that the puff pastry is very cold before you place it in the hot oven. The cold butter in the puff pastry when it hits the oven at high heat, it puffs up creating multiple layers.
If it's warm where you live, then after layering the puff pastry with the cream cheese and vegetables, place it back in the fridge for a while before placing it in the hot oven.
Although this Artichoke and Tomato Salad Tarts gives a summer vibe, it is actually quite nice warm on a cold night. Our cherry tomato plant is still giving us cherry tomatoes, and I had to make it one more time with our garden tomatoes.
Artichoke and Tomato Salad Tarts – DHSP Challenge #7
Ingredients
- 6 small squares of puff pastry
- 12 tablespoons cream cheese (softened at room temperature)
- 6 artichoke hearts (each cut in half)
- 1 egg (lightly beaten to make egg wash for rubbing on the pastry edges)
- 1 and ½ cup cherry tomatoes (each cut in half)
- ½ cup frozen peas
- few fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
Instructions
- In a bowl, add the tomatoes, chopped basil and peas. Season with salt and pepper, drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil and white wine vinegar. Toss it around and leave aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400 F
- Arrange a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Layer the puff pastry on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or baking silpat. Using the back of a spoon, score 1 cm border around each square.
- Spread 2 tablespoons cream cheese on each of the square puff pastry.
- Top it with artichoke and few of the cherry tomatoes.
- Brush the pastry borers with egg wash. Bake for 17 minutes, or until it's puffed up at the edges and turns golden.
- Once done, spoon some tomato salad on top, drizzle with olive oil, grate Parmesan cheese and serve immediately
Notes
Points to keep in mind when working with puff pastry
You want to make sure that the puff pastry is very cold before you place it in the hot oven. The cold butter in the puff pastry when it hits the oven at high heat, it puffs up creating multiple layers. If it’s warm where you live, then after layering the puff pastry with the cream cheeseNutrition
Eha
Well, the photos turned out absolutely brilliant after all that! And, as the saying goes, one can fool some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time! Hope the plagiarists fall on their own sword! Soon!
Tina (PinayInTexas)
What a great job you did on the puff pastry Kankana! This is definitely a winner!
nipponnin
I love everything on the puff pastry. This looks healthy and fantastic. I'm sorry about that problem you are having. Although it's totally wrong, your photos are all incredibly amazing so I can see these plagiarist (S) want your photos. I wish I have your technique, talent and gifts.
Mel
Your photography is stunning indeed! You have such a wonderful vibe to your blog which I enjoy very much. And I agree with others here that you needn't worry too much about the photo thieves, keep doing what you do and those who know and love you will know your work. By the way, if you don't already know about Tin Eye, it is a useful add-on to find your photos online - it doesn't catch all photos, but could help.
Kankana Saxena
Thanks Mel for all your kind words 🙂 I have not heard on Tin Eye but will definitely look at it and thanks a bunch for letting me know dear!
Poornima
The photographs are gorgeous Kankana and those tarts are mouthwatering!! Good Job!
These plagiarists are everywhere, yet it is more upsetting to see such popular companies resort to this. I'm sure you'll win your battle.
Kiri W.
Oh wow, these look delightful - I love artichokes and roasted is even better!
Roxana GreenGirl { A little bit of everything}
Hi Kankana,
I did saw some of your Facebook struggling on those Indian pages. They should really be ashamed for stealing your beautiful work.
These tarts look great, you did such a wonderful job with this challenge.
Sukanya
Dont worry dear about the stealing of photos...plagarism is every where, I know this is extremely frustrating, but nobody can steal your talent, ur ideas, ur creativity that will remain and ppl will recognize it...
btw tarts are really screaming spring loud and u did wonderful job as usual, though white bckgrnd creates more refreshing look.
Priyanka
I know sis...its very frustrating to see someone take credit of your hard work. But don't be dishearten dear.....you are best in your field, a thief can only steal what's out but can never take away your creativity, and the pics in the post is the prove of it.
Katerina
Beautiful tarts and very beautiful pictures! the colors are amazing!
Deeps @ Naughty Curry
been hearing about it on twitter... all i can say is shame on those plagiarists who sit on multi million empires but would rather steal the hardwork of others than hire their own photographers? so cheap.. dont give up kankana, keep fighting till they get the point loud & clear. the pics are lovely, i had shortcomings of my own with this challenge (cudn find artichokes) but i like ur brownish background, looks very rustic 🙂
Alyssa
What a beautiful post!
sulagna
Kankana, i came across your blog around a few days back and trust me, seeing this post of yours absolutely brightened my day.though i am not a food blogger the husband and i are foodies through and through.
Please keep sharing your beautiful stories and recipes cuz they speak of sunshine and smiles 🙂
Kankana Saxena
Thank you so much Sulanga 🙂 You are so sweet and kind with your words! Just checked your blog and I must say your writing is beautiful!
sayantani
I have been Donna Hay shows ever since they started airing it on TLC and loved the ease of her recipes. the tart looks amazing and your photos are awesome as always Kankana.
Rosa
Great job! they look splendid and so do the pictures.
Cheers,
Rosa
Athena
Kankana, I saw your tweets regarding the stolen images and am sooo sorry this is happening to you and many others. I hope it gets resolved, in your and the other bloggers' favor.
Your tarts came out gorgeous and so did your photos. Sometimes you just need to shoot to distract yourself... that's what I do at times. Whatever helps!
Nami | Just One Cookbook
Kankana, I'm so sorry about the photos again. I feel very frustrated as I know how much you and other bloggers spend time to create work of art, and someone just steal because they are pretty? They will lose any creditability by doing so even just one time. Don't let them stop your work. You have a talent!
I'm really liking this series (to look, not to join! haha). I like puff pastry very much (my comfort baking skills) and it's great to see you make these delicious tarts. The photographs are stunning Kankana. Your name will be so popular that people will recognize your work just like Vijitha said! 😉
Baker Street
You did brilliantly, K! Your pictures are just stunning. Colorful, vibrant and very inviting.
daksha
Hi Kankana, This tart looks so colorful and ur photography is just super dear. I think this is big region to zee khanakhzana not control them self:).
Vijitha
Aw, I know how you feel. Don't worry girl, whereever the picture jumps and runs around and gets copied, most known to you will recognize and say "hey that's Kankana's. I know her styling. She is one awesome photographer" So who ever takes it or does what ever with it, you will have more better things happening your way. My support to you during this tough time. And the tart looks brilliant and so colorful. So spring!