Fig Goat Cheese Tartlets

I love this time of year when the temperatures begin to dip, and the air cools and takes on the crispness of a new season. It brings to mind sweaters, delicious warm cozy drinks, hearty soups, comfort foods, and sweet temptations. Fall also ushers in the beginning of seasonal gatherings. I love a cozy get-together, an office potluck, or a fun-filled holiday party. Sometimes I struggle a bit with what to bring. I know right, I am a Natural Food Chef after all, and should be full of endless ideas and recipes. I struggle because I want something original, beautiful, delicious, healthy and that will be appealing for the event I am attending. I also hope to show that good quality whole healthful food is not only nutritious but scrumptious too!

These fig goat cheese tartlets are delightfully delicious, nutritious bites of joy to celebrate the season at any gathering. The recipe is simple and easy to make for cooks at any level. They have a base that is gluten-free and made using a seed cracker recipe. The whipped goat cheese filling is creamy, with just a hint of sweetness that is enhanced by the sweet tartness of the dried cranberries on top. The recipe is really just a guideline that can be modified to taste, preference, and type of gathering. Have some fun with it, be creative, go sweet, savory, or somewhere in between.

Why We Love These!

Sometimes it can be challenging to find nutritious options at gatherings; no offense to all the outstanding cooks out there. More and more of us have dietary restrictions, allergies, lifestyle choices, etc… all of which can make it harder to eat out or at gatherings, especially in the dessert section. These tartlets are loaded with whole food, nutrient-dense ingredients. The goat cheese is a good dairy alternative for those with traditional dairy allergies. Goat cheese is high in calcium, good fats, probiotics, iron, and selenium. Goat cheese is high in medium-chain fatty acids that promote satiation helping us feel full longer and helps keep our blood sugar steady.

The five seeds in the cracker recipe are among the 6 Super Healthy Seeds You Should Eat. Seeds are healthful in so many ways it is hard to even just touch the surface of the nutrition they provide for the body. They are great sources of fiber, protein, monounsaturated fats, omega-3 and 6 as well as magnesium and thiamine. As we are beginning the transition into the busy holiday season it is natural that our stress levels will elevate. The great news is that seeds are high in the nutrients that help our bodies deal with stress. Life-Changing Crackers are an easy to make “superfood”adds a nutritional boost to any occasion as a side, snack, or sweet treat.

Lets Make It!

Fig Goat Cheese Tartlets

Makes roughly enough for 36 tartlets

Whipped Fig Goat Cheese Filling

Ingredients

5 oz package of plain soft goat cheese. You may also use a flavored soft goat cheese of your choice.

2 Tablespoons (or more to taste) of organic fig preserves.

Directions

1. Set out goat cheese and let rise to room temperature. This step can be done while you are preparing the tartlet base.
2. When softened add the fig preserve to the goat cheese in a medium bowl. When mixture is fully combined whip using a sturdy whisk, fork, immersion blender, food processor or stand mixer until light and airy.
3. Using a small spatula, or wide cheese spreader fill tartlet shell with desired amount.
4. Top with 3 dried cranberries.
5. Place on a tray and refrigerate 30 min- 1hour or until the goat cheese has set.
6. Serve and enjoy.

By: Jenn LePlatt, NFC

Life-Changing Crackers

Ingredients

1 C. sunflower seeds

1/2 C. flax seeds

1/3 C. pumpkin seeds

1/4 C. sesame seeds

2 Tbsp. chia seeds

1 1/2 C. rolled oats

4 Tbsp. psyllium husks or 3 Tbsp. psyllium husk powder

*Side note that this may be found with the fiber supplements in your local health food store.

1.5 tsp. fine grain sea-salt

1 Tbsp. Maple syrup, honey or date syrup

3 Tbsp. Melted coconut oil or ghee

1 1/2 C. water

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF

• In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients and mix well.
• Add the honey, coconut oil and water to dry ingredients.
• Mix until all ingredients are moist, mixed well and a dough is formed.
• Let stand for 5 Min and mix again. The dough should be very thick.
• Lightly grease a tiny muffin tin with room temp coconut oil.
• Form into a roughly one inch ball and place in muffin tin. Pressing with your thumb push down and form each to the muffin tin leaving an indent for the filling.
• Bake for 20-25 min until crisp and golden.
• Place on cooling rack. Make enough for 36 tartlets. You will have leftovers.

From My New Roots modified by Jenn LePlatt

Chef Snacks Bonus!

1. Using all remaining dough add

– 1tsp. cinnamon

– 1/2 tsp. cloves

– 1/4 tsp nutmeg

– 1/2 cup chopped cranberries or more if desired

2. Mix thoroughly
3. Form into a ball and place between two sheets of parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Using a rolling pin firmly roll the dough into a thin layer. Remove top sheet and bake at 350ºF for 25 to 30 min or until crispy and golden brown.

*You may desire to let the dough sit for a few hours to dry out which helps the crackers crisp up. I go ahead and bake mine and just let them bake a bit longer.

4. While the crackers are cooling melt your favorite dark chocolate and drizzle or spread onto crackers to make a “bark”
5. When completely cooled and the chocolate is hardened break into pieces and try not to eat them all in one sitting. They are super yummy!

****You can also leave off the chocolate and break into granola that is a super tasty nutritious option to start to your day or grab as a snack.

From my table to yours— Enjoy!

About the Author: Jenn LePlatt is a Natural Food Chef and Nutrition Therapist Master Candidate. Her zest for learning everything nutrition is contagious. One of her favorite things is to share nutritious “tidbits” of food and information. “We all have a superpower, mine is to nourish”.

Images by Jenn LePlatt