I am a big fan of simplicity. One of the best things about living in a small apartment in a big city is that it encourages simplifying your life. I can only own so many clothes, so much furniture, so many gadgets, gizmos and “stuff” because quite frankly, I have a finite amount of space to put it all in.

I love it. I love that I have no need to buy furniture, because there’s no room to put it. I love that I can sweep & vacuum my entire apartment in 10 minutes flat, and spend the rest of the afternoon on the couch reading a magazine.

I have the same approach when it comes to food. More often than not, simpler is better. Whenever I search for recipes in a cookbook, my eyes immediately glaze over if I see a long list of ingredients or it lists weird kitchen instruments I’ve never heard of. Instead, I’ll skip over to a recipe like these little tarts. They consist of four ingredients, take a few minutes to prep & cook, and wouldn’t you know it, they’re absolutely delicious. Obviously, these are intended to be an appetizer, but the first night I made them Chase and I ate the whole batch on the spot and called it dinner. It was just simpler that way.

Goat Cheese & Apple Tart

2 sheets frozen puff pastry
10 oz goat cheese
2 granny smith apples (or similar variety)
2 tbl olive oil
1 tbl chopped fresh or dried thyme

Heat the oven to 425 degrees. While the puff pastry is still frozen, lay flat and cut into squares. Place the puff pastry pieces on a lightly greased baking sheet. Spread goat cheese in the center of each puff pastry square.

Core and thinly slice the apples. Arrange the apple slices on the pastry, making sure that the cheese is completely covered. Drizzle the assembled tarts with olive oil & sprinkle the thyme over them.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the is golden brown on the edges. Serve immediately.

One Response to “Goat Cheese and Apple Tart”

1. Morgan J says:

   March 21, 2010 at

   I made this! It was so good, that I’m making it for an Easter brunch at my neighbors house. They will think I’m a genius…and I will let them for a while…..then I will fess up and then them about a cozy kitchen