Goat Cheese and Herb Pastry Baskets with Crispy Pancetta

Recipe: Brie Pastry Baskets with Goat Cheese and Herbs

Category: Appetizer
Servings: 6

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Prepare the pastry dough:
   Start by making the base for the baskets. In a food processor, combine the flour, cold butter cut into small pieces, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Next, add the water and pulse until the dough starts to form into a ball. Gather the dough, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

2. Prepare the herbs:
   While the dough is chilling, clean the fresh herbs. Once washed, place them in a saucepan with a splash of olive oil. Cover and cook on low heat until the herbs wilt and soften. Once done, drain any excess water and allow the herbs to cool to room temperature.

3. Cook the pancetta:
   While the herbs are cooling, take the pancetta (or bacon) and cut it into small cubes. Heat a pan and cook the pancetta until crispy and golden. Set aside to drain on paper towels.

4. Prepare the goat cheese filling:
   In a bowl, crumble the goat cheese and add lemon zest and freshly chopped parsley to taste. Season with salt and pepper to your liking, mixing everything together to form a smooth filling.

5. Roll and shape the pastry dough:
   Once the dough has chilled and firmed up, remove it from the fridge. Dust your work surface lightly with flour. If the dough is too cold to roll, gently tap it with a rolling pin to soften. Roll the dough out to about 3mm thick. Using a round cookie cutter or glass, cut 6 discs, each with a diameter of 11 cm.

6. Shape the pastry baskets:
   Lightly grease 6 tartlet pans or muffin tins (with a diameter of 8 cm). Gently press each pastry disc into the base of the pans, making sure the dough adheres well to the edges. Trim any excess dough with a small knife. Place a piece of parchment paper inside each basket and fill them with ceramic baking beads or dried beans to keep the pastry in place while baking.

7. Bake the pastry shells:
   Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the pastry shells for about 15-20 minutes or until golden and crisp. Once baked, remove from the oven and let the pastry shells cool completely before filling them.

8. Assemble the baskets:
   Once the pastry shells are cooled, carefully remove the parchment paper and baking beads. Spoon the goat cheese mixture into each shell. For a decorative touch, twirl the wilted herbs around a fork to create “spaghetti-like” strands and arrange them on top of the cheese filling.

9. Finish with pancetta:
   Finally, sprinkle the crispy pancetta cubes on top of the herb-filled cheese baskets. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil and season with a pinch of salt if desired.

10. Serve and enjoy:
    Serve these delicious Brie Pastry Baskets with Goat Cheese and Herbs as an appetizer for any special occasion. Their crispy pastry, creamy goat cheese, and flavorful herbs paired with the salty pancetta make for an unforgettable bite!

These flavorful baskets are a delightful starter to impress your guests at your next gathering. Enjoy!