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Blue Cheese Walnut Tarts for #SundaySupper

Blue Cheese Walnut Tarts | Magnolia Days

A tiny seed was planted not too long ago. It sprouted and reached out to touch the universe. Roots spread far and deep to hold up the fast growth. It was nurtured with love and drew attention from all parts of the world. It has brought together countless people who share a common goal of bringing Sunday Supper back to the family table. Two years ago that tiny seed sprouted with a virtual progressive dinner. Now there is an anniversary feast celebrating the Sunday Supper Movement. I’m bringing Blue Cheese Walnut Tarts to the party.

What was that tiny seed? It was a tweet by my friend Isabel asking what was for Sunday Supper. The response was incredible. It’s evident as to how special a Sunday family meal is to people everywhere including me. It’s why I became a part of it from the very beginning. I replied to that tweet and watched the joyful responses to Isabel week after week. That first virtual dinner was a lot of fun and so have been all the ones since. My contribution to the first progressive dinner was a pear and stilton salad.

Sunday Supper has made for many wonderful moments in my life. One of my favorites is when I got to meet Isabel in person. I drove to Florida to help her with scouting a location for the Food and Wine Conference. At one of the potential locations, we sat on a big screened in porch and had a meal of bread, cheese, and wine. It’s why I chose to make the Blue Cheese Walnut Tarts for the celebration. They have both bread and cheese and go fabulously with wine. (I’m counting the tart shell as bread).

Blue Cheese Walnut Tarts | Magnolia Days

Some notes on the tarts: They are filled with blue cheese crumbles, a simple egg and milk mixture, and topped with finely chopped walnuts. The crust is homemade with butter, cream cheese, and flour. Yes, there is double cheese lusciousness packed into these little bites. The crust dough seems very crumbly. I almost thought it would not work and nearly tossed it. I’m glad I stuck with it though. Remember to press or squeeze and roll it with your hand at the same time when making the dough balls. They will come together eventually.

Who else is bringing something to the party? Lots of folks! Our host is Liz of That Skinny Chick Can Bake and the list of Sunday Supper contributors and the recipes they are sharing is below. They are sharing more than recipes too. Each one has a favorite Sunday Supper moment and I can’t wait to see them. Join me in the fun of visiting and reading their posts.

Blue Cheese Walnut Tarts

A recipe for Blue Cheese Walnut Tarts. These mini tarts are a great appetizer. The homemade shells are filled with blue cheese crumbles and chopped walnuts.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Author Renee

Ingredients

For the tart shells:

  • 3 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour unbleached recommended

For the tarts:

  • 4 ounces blue cheese crumbles about 1 cup
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 5 ounces evaporated milk
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 to 3 drops of hot sauce
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

Instructions

For the tart shells:

  1. Beat together cream cheese and butter in a small bowl until combined.
  2. Add flour and stir in or cut in using a fork or pastry blender.
  3. Press the dough into a disk and cover with plastic wrap. Chill dough for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  4. Shape dough into 24 1-inch balls. You will need to squeeze the dough in your hand while shaping into the balls. The dough will seem crumbly but will come together.
  5. Place each ball into the wells of an ungreased mini muffin tin (1 3/4-inch muffin size).
  6. Use your fingers to press dough onto bottom and sides of the wells to form shells.

For the tarts:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Combine blue cheese and flour in a small bowl. Spoon evenly into tart shells.
  3. Whisk together egg, evapored milk, salt, and hot sauce. Spoon evenly over blue cheese crumbles.
  4. Sprinkle walnuts on top of each tart.
  5. Bake for 7 minutes then reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F. Bake for an additional 17 minutes or until set.
  6. Cool tarts in the pan for 5 minutes then remove and serve immediately warm or continue to cool on a wire rack to serve at room temperature.
  7. Tarts can be made ahead and frozen. When ready to serve, put frozen tarts on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Recipe Notes

Time stated does not include chilling the dough.

Recipe adapted from one in the Southern Living 1986 Annual Recipes cookbook (no longer in print).

It’s a Sunday Supper Turns Two virtual party! Check out these incredible recipes that will make any celebration a most delectable one:

Brilliant Breads and Breakfast Fare:

Amazing Appetizers and Cocktails:

Spectacular Soups and Salads:

Enticing Entrees:

Decadent Desserts:

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Sunday Supper LogoWould you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? Click here: Sunday Supper Movement

Recipe Rating




Delaware Girl Eats

Friday 24th of January 2014

Just the dish to bring to a party -- great ingredient combination -- cathy

Renee

Saturday 25th of January 2014

I totally agree! Thanks Cathy

Anne @ Webicurean

Saturday 18th of January 2014

I know what I'm making for my next party! I love finding new appetizers like this!

Renee

Saturday 25th of January 2014

Thanks Anne and I hope they are a hit at your next party.

Courtney @ Neighborfood

Wednesday 15th of January 2014

These sound so delicious. I love blue cheese and I'm a sucker for anything mini!

Renee

Wednesday 15th of January 2014

I thoroughly enjoy mini treats too. Something about a bite or two doesn't seem so indulgent either. Well, unless I eat a dozen or so.

Anita at Hungry Couple

Wednesday 15th of January 2014

Happy SS anniversary. You can feed me blue cheese tarts (with or without walnuts) every day of the week! :)

Renee

Wednesday 15th of January 2014

Thanks Anita and if you don't care for walnuts I'm sure the tarts would be great without them or with another nut.

Karen Hartzell (@InTheKitchenKP)

Tuesday 14th of January 2014

Your tarts are adorable, Renee! You had me at blue cheese, but I need an alternate nut that would go as well as walnuts. I'd love to make these, but walnuts are not my favorite. Any alternate suggestions?

Renee

Wednesday 15th of January 2014

My second choice would be pecans. Another is marcona almonds which are commonly found on cheese trays along with blue cheese.