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Crab, leek and cheese tartlets
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Crab, leek and cheese tartlets

Delicate and light, these little tartlets are super easy to make and are perfect for light dinner or lunch and make great canapés. This recipe makes 12 tartlets
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack, Starter
Cuisine: british, French
Keyword: caerphilly, cheese, crab, tart, tartlett
Servings: 4 people

Equipment

  • 12 hole bun tray
  • 8cm cookie cutter

Ingredients

For the tartlets

  • 1 sheet shortcrust pastry you will have some pastry left over
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 leek finely chopped
  • 30 g Gorwydd Caerphilly cheese grated
  • 1 dressed crab white and brown meat
  • 30 g creme fraiche
  • Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tsp tarragon finely chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

For the salad

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 bulb fennel
  • Bag of rocket
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6
  • Heat the olive oil in a saucepan, add the onion and leek and cook for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables have softened.
  • Add the crab, creme fraiche, lemon juice and zest, cheese and tarragon and heat gently for a few minutes until everything is combined and warmed through.
  • Season with salt and pepper, taste and adjust the seasoning as required.
  • Unroll the puff pastry sheet and cut 12 discs out of the pastry using an 8cm cookie cutter.
  • Add each of the pastry discs to a 12 hole bun tray, pressing the pastry down into the holes. Prick the bottom of the pastry a few times with a fork, this allows the steam to escape from the pastry as it’s baking and stops it from puffing up in the oven.
  • Divide the crab and cheese mixture between each of the pastry cases and brush the edges of the pastry with a little olive oil.
  • Bake in the centre of the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and cooked through.
  • While the tarts are cooking make the salad by slicing the fennel very thinly (you could use a mandolin for this but a sharp knife works just as well and is less dangerous). Add to a bowl with the rocket, olive oil, lemon juice and seasoning. Toss the salad to ensure everything is combined.
  • To serve, add the tartlets to a plate and serve the salad alongside. This would work as a starter for four people or a light meal for three.