New Year's dishes reinvented: Salads in crispy tartlets
Perhaps, like me, you're still debating whether to set the table with plates for New Year's Eve or serve snacks from a buffet table. For hot dishes, plates are necessary, but for salads, they are not. Presented on crispy tartlets, they look splendid and are perfectly sized for two bites.
New Year's Eve salads offered in crispy tartlets will swiftly transition from being a mundane, traditional snack to gaining the status of elegant finger foods. Nearly anything can be added to a bowl of shortcrust pastry. They are delightful with tuna salad, vegetable salad, or Venetian salad. You can fill them with Philadelphia-type cheese, avocado, and smoked salmon. If you choose sweet toppings, the neutral-flavoured shortcrust pastry will pair wonderfully with custard cream and fruits.
Creative decorations for the New Year's buffet
At a New Year's Eve gathering, presentation is as crucial as the dishes' flavour. To make salads in crispy tartlets stand out on the table, ensure a variety of decorations. Adding fresh basil leaves, thyme sprigs, or lemon slices not only boosts the flavour but also enhances the impressive appearance of the snacks.
Impress your guests with colours and scents that whet the appetite. For the tartlets, consider providing decorative spoons or cocktail sticks that facilitate eating and add character to the snacks.
Flavour combinations perfect for any occasion
When presenting salads in crispy tartlets, experiment with different flavour combinations. In addition to traditional ingredients, try less conventional combinations, such as feta cheese with grilled peach and walnuts or goat cheese with beetroot and caramelised fig. When selecting ingredients, remember to maintain harmony among the flavours. No single component should dominate. Well-chosen herbs and spices will further enhance the taste, making each tartlet a distinct culinary experience.
Recipe for savoury tartlets
With the given ingredients, you can make approximately 20-25 tartlets. The number depends on the size of the moulds. You can use classic metal moulds with a fluted edge or silicone moulds, but these need to be more flared. In simple muffin-style moulds, the edges of the dough may slide down during baking.
Ingredients:
- 340 grams of plain flour,
- 200 grams of cold butter,
- a pinch of salt,
- 2 egg yolks.
How to make tartlets for salads?
- Transfer the flour to 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 cling film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- After this time, take pieces of dough and line the tartlet moulds with them.
- Place the tartlets in an oven preheated to 180 degrees Celsius for 15-20 minutes. Bake the tartlets until they are lightly golden.
- After baking, set aside to cool, remove from the moulds, and fill with your favourite salad.
