New Year's Eve tartlets: Transform snacks into gourmet delights
Perhaps, like me, you're still deciding whether to set the table traditionally with plates for New Year's Eve or to serve snacks on a buffet table. For hot dishes, plates are essential, but they aren't necessary for salads. When served in crispy tartlets, salads look fabulous and are ideally sized for two bites.
New Year's Eve salads served in crispy tartlets will quickly transform from a boring, traditional snack to fancy finger foods. Practically anything can be put into a shortcrust pastry bowl. They taste great with tuna salad, vegetable salad, or Venetian salad. You can fill them with Philadelphia-style cheese, avocado, and smoked salmon. For sweet toppings, the neutral flavor of shortcrust pastry pairs well with custard cream and fruits.
Creative decorations for the New Year's buffet
Presentation is as important as flavor at a New Year's Eve party. To make salads in crispy tartlets stand out, variety in decorations is key. Adding fresh basil leaves, thyme sprigs, or lemon slices enhances the taste and highlights the snacks' visual appeal.
Impress your guests with colors and scents that stimulate their appetite. For the tartlets, consider providing decorative spoons or toothpicks that make them easy to eat and add character to the snacks.
Flavor combinations perfect for any occasion
When serving salads in crispy tartlets, feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations. In addition to traditional ingredients, try less obvious pairings, such as feta cheese with grilled peach and walnuts or goat cheese with beetroot and caramelized fig. When selecting ingredients, maintain a balance among the flavors so that no component dominates. Well-chosen herbs and spices can enrich the taste, making each tartlet a unique culinary experience.
Recipe for savory tartlets
From the given ingredients, you will make about 20-25 tartlets, depending on the size of the molds. You can use classic metal ones with a fluted edge or silicone molds, which need to be flared. In simple muffin-style ones, the edges of the dough may slide down during baking.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz of all-purpose flour, type 450-550,
- 7 oz of cold butter,
- a pinch of salt,
- 2 egg yolks.
How to make tartlets for salads?
- Transfer the flour into a bowl. Cut in the cold butter, add a pinch of salt and 2 egg yolks, and quickly knead the mixture into a ball.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- After this time, take pieces of dough and line the tartlet molds with them.
- Place in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. Bake the tartlets until they achieve a lightly golden color.
- After baking, set aside to cool, remove from the molds, and fill with your favorite salad.
