Elevate your New Year's buffet with crispy salad tartlets
Perhaps, like me, you're deciding whether to set the table traditionally with plates for New Year's Eve or to serve snacks from a buffet. Plates are necessary for hot dishes, but you can skip them for salads. Presented on crispy tartlets, these salads look fabulous and are conveniently portioned for two bites.
When served in crispy tartlets, New Year's Eve salads transform from boring, traditional snacks into elegant finger foods. You can fill a shortcrust pastry bowl with virtually anything. They pair well with tuna salad, vegetable options, or Venetian salad. Consider using Philadelphia-style cheese, avocado, and smoked salmon. The neutral-flavoured shortcrust pastry works well with custard cream and fruits for a sweet twist.
Creative decorations for the New Year's buffet
Presentation matters as much as taste at a New Year's Eve party. To make salads in crispy tartlets stand out, focus on decorations. Adding fresh basil leaves, thyme sprigs, or lemon slices can enhance the flavour and the snacks' impressive appearance.
Dazzle your guests with colours and aromas that will whet their appetites. To make eating easier and enhance the snacks' appeal, provide decorative spoons or toothpicks for the tartlet.
Flavour combinations perfect for any occasion
When serving salads in crispy tartlets, experiment with different flavour combinations. Beyond traditional ingredients, consider more unique pairings like feta cheese with grilled peach and walnuts or goat cheese with beetroot and caramelized fig. Keep the flavours balanced; no single component should overpower the others. Well-chosen herbs and spices will enrich the taste, making each tartlet a unique culinary experience.
Recipe for savoury tartlets
With the supplied ingredients, you'll make about 20-25 tartlets. The quantity depends on the size of the moulds you use. Opt for classic metal ones with a fluted edge or silicone moulds, but ensure they are more flared. The dough's edges may slide down during baking in simple muffin-style moulds.
Ingredients:
- 340 grams of all-purpose flour, type 450-550,
- 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, then quickly knead the mixture into a ball.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- After this time, press pieces of dough into the tartlet moulds.
- Place them in an oven preheated to 180 degrees Celsius for 15-20 minutes. Bake until the tartlets are lightly golden in colour.
- Once baked, allow them to cool, remove them from the moulds, and fill with your favourite salad.
