Rustic Wild Mushroom and Ricotta Tart
Indulge in this Rustic Wild Mushroom and Ricotta Tart, an exquisite blend of flaky pastry and earthy flavors, inspired by the elegance and intricacy of 'Phantom Thread.' This savory galette features a crispy, buttery crust layered with a medley of roasted wild mushrooms, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella, enhanced with fragrant garlic and fresh thyme. Perfect as an impressive appetizer or a delightful centerpiece for your dinner table, this tart embodies comfort and sophistication in every bite.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups (Measured)
Sugar
2 teaspoons (Measured)
Kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon (Measured)
Unsalted butter
3/4 cup (Cut into pieces and chilled)
Chilled vodka
2 tablespoons (Optional)
Apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon (Measured)
Wild mushrooms
1 1/2 lbs (Variety such as shitake, beech, maitake, chanterelle, or oyster, cleaned and sliced)
Extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (Measured)
Garlic cloves
3 cloves (Finely grated, divided)
Kosher salt
To taste (For seasoning)
Freshly ground black pepper
To taste (For seasoning)
Whole milk ricotta cheese
8 ounces (Measured)
Grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (Measured)
Chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon (Fresh, measured)
Grated whole milk mozzarella
8 ounces (Measured)
Fresno bell peppers
2 (Thinly sliced)
Scallions
6 (Root ends trimmed)
Fresh thyme sprigs
5 (For garnish)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Pastry: In a food processor, pulse together the all-purpose flour, sugar, and kosher salt until uniformly combined. Add the chilled butter pieces and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl.
2
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the chilled vodka, apple cider vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of ice water (or 1/4 cup if omitting vodka). Gradually drizzle this liquid over the flour mixture, stirring with a fork until the dough starts to come together into shaggy pieces.
3
Bring the dough together by hand, kneading lightly in the bowl until it forms a cohesive mass. If needed, add a few extra drops of ice water to incorporate any dry bits. Flatten the dough into a 3/4-inch thick square, divide it into four equal parts, and stack them, incorporating any dry bits as you go. Flatten into a rectangle, wrap in plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
4
Preheat the Oven: When ready to bake, position a rack in the lowest part of the oven and preheat to 375°F (190°C).
5
Roll Out the Dough: Remove the dough from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes to soften. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a rough rectangle approximately 18 x 13 inches and 1/3-inch thick. Place the rolled dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate while you prepare the toppings.
6
Prepare the Toppings: In a large bowl, combine the mushrooms, olive oil, half of the grated garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Toss until the mushrooms are well-coated, then spread them on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 20 minutes until golden and tender.
7
In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, grated parmesan, chopped thyme leaves, remaining garlic, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper until smooth and well combined.
8
Assemble the Tart: Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Sprinkle the grated mozzarella evenly over the surface of the pastry. Dollop the ricotta mixture evenly over the mozzarella, then fan out the scallions across the top. Distribute the roasted mushrooms and thinly sliced Fresno peppers over the scallions and finish with thyme sprigs.
9
Bake: Place the tart on the lowest rack in the oven and bake for 50-65 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling in spots. Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool for about 30 minutes. Carefully remove the thyme sprigs before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Rustic Wild Mushroom and Ricotta Tart?
It is a savory galette featuring a crispy, buttery crust layered with roasted wild mushrooms, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese.
What inspired this mushroom tart recipe?
This recipe was inspired by the elegance and intricacy of the film 'Phantom Thread'.
What kind of mushrooms are recommended for this tart?
A variety of wild mushrooms such as shiitake, beech, maitake, chanterelle, or oyster mushrooms are recommended.
How do I prepare the pastry dough?
Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor, add chilled butter until crumbly, then gradually stir in chilled vodka, apple cider vinegar, and ice water until the dough comes together.
Why is vodka used in the pastry dough?
Chilled vodka is used to help create a flakier crust by inhibiting gluten formation, though it can be replaced with ice water if preferred.
How long should the pastry dough chill before rolling?
The dough should be wrapped in plastic and chilled in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
What is the required oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How do I prepare the mushroom topping?
Toss cleaned and sliced mushrooms with olive oil, half the garlic, salt, and pepper, then roast for about 20 minutes until golden.
What goes into the ricotta mixture?
The mixture consists of ricotta cheese, grated parmesan, chopped thyme leaves, grated garlic, salt, and pepper.
How thin should I roll out the dough?
The dough should be rolled into a rough rectangle approximately 18 x 13 inches and about 1/3-inch thick.
What is the correct order for assembling the tart?
Sprinkle mozzarella on the pastry first, then dollop the ricotta mixture, add scallions, distribute roasted mushrooms, and top with Fresno peppers and thyme.
Which oven rack should I use for baking the tart?
Position the rack in the lowest part of the oven to ensure a crispy bottom crust.
How long does the tart need to bake?
The tart should bake for 50 to 65 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
How long should the tart cool before serving?
Let the tart cool for about 30 minutes after removing it from the oven.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian dish as it contains mushrooms and cheeses but no meat.
How many garlic cloves are used in total?
The recipe calls for 3 cloves of garlic, finely grated and divided between the mushrooms and the ricotta.
What type of flour is best for the crust?
All-purpose flour is used to create the flaky pastry base.
How much butter is required for the dough?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of unsalted butter, which should be cut into pieces and chilled.
What kind of peppers are used in this recipe?
Two thinly sliced Fresno bell peppers are used to add a bit of heat and color.
Can I use different types of cheese?
While the recipe specifies mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan, you can experiment with other meltable cheeses, though the flavor profile will change.
What is the purpose of apple cider vinegar in the crust?
Apple cider vinegar helps to tenderize the dough by breaking down some of the gluten.
How should I prepare the scallions?
The root ends should be trimmed, and they are fanned out across the cheese layer of the tart.
What do I do with the fresh thyme sprigs?
Five fresh thyme sprigs are placed on top of the tart before baking and should be removed before slicing.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 18 specific ingredients listed for this tart.
What tags are associated with this dish?
Associated tags include galette, mushroom tart, savory pastry, comfort food, and appetizer.
Do I need to clean the mushrooms?
Yes, the mushrooms should be cleaned and sliced before being tossed with oil and roasted.
Can I make the dough by hand?
While the instructions suggest a food processor, you can use a pastry cutter or your hands to incorporate the butter until it looks like coarse crumbs.
How do I ensure the crust doesn't get soggy?
Roasting the mushrooms first removes excess moisture, and baking on the lowest oven rack helps crisp the bottom.
Can this be served as a main course?
Yes, it can be served as a delightful centerpiece for a dinner table or as an impressive appetizer.
What is the final texture of the tart?
The tart features a flaky, buttery crust with a creamy cheese filling and tender, earthy roasted mushrooms.