The toffee and spice notes in this buttery cow's milk cheese complement the fresh strawberry and zesty lemon flavors topping the flaky puff pastry. If Tarentaise is not available where you live, try an Alpine-inspired, aged cow's milk cheese from a creamery near you. As for fruit, I like strawberries or blueberries in spring and summer, but the dessert can transition through fall and winter by substituting figs or persimmons. Add good-quality puff pastry dough, and you'll have a surprisingly light dessert that is very quick to make.
Makes 4 galletes
1 sheet good-quality puff pastry dough
1 large egg yolk
4 ounces Tarentaise or other aged cow’s milk cheese, thinly sliced
10 to 12 ounces strawberries, hulled and sliced 1/4-inch thick, lengthwise (or about 2 cups, sliced)
1 tablespoon sugar
Grated zest of 1/2 lemon
Defrost one sheet of pastry according to the package's instructions. Keep the other sheet frozen for future desserts.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Once the dough is defrosted, cut out four 4 1/2-inch diameter circles. Prick the center of the dough 4 or 5 times with a fork. Mix the egg yolk with a teaspoon of water. Brush the tops of the pastry with the yolk mix. Place the dough on a sheet pan that has been covered with parchment or a silicon baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes.
While the pastry is cooking, mix the sliced strawberries, sugar and lemon zest together in a small bowl and set aside.
After the pastry has cooked for 20 minutes, or is evenly golden brown, remove the puff pastry rounds from the oven. Lightly tap the tops of the pastry with the back of a spatula to discourage uneven rising. Another option is to weigh down the cooked pastry by placing a silicon sheet on top of the rounds. Set aside. This may be done in advance.
When ready to eat, pre-heat oven to 350 degrees again. Place the puff pastry circles on a sheet pan and divide the cheese among the pastry. Bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Place the pastry on individual serving plates and spoon the strawberry mixture and its juice over the pastries.
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