Goat Cheese & Leek Tart

Hang with me, people...I went savory.

TidyMom is having a Love the Pie! party today and I decided to make something a little different because woman cannot live by cookies alone. (I've tried.)

The only requirement was that the pie had to be made with a Pillsbury pie crust. No problem here, I think I used them exclusively the first 50 times I made pie. ;)

Goat Cheese and Leek Tart
(modified from Nov. '03 Everyday Food magazine)

1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust
1 bunch leeks, white & pale green parts only, thinly sliced into half moons and washed well (see tips below)
1 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil
coarse salt & pepper
4 oz. herb & garlic goat cheese, room temp
2 oz. plain goat cheese, room temp
2 oz. cream cheese, room temp
2 TBSP milk
3 egg yolks, divided
1/4 tsp dried thyme

Preheat the oven to 350 with rack on the lowest shelf. Line a baking sheet with parchment.


Toss washed and dried leeks with oil, salt & pepper.

Beat together the goat cheese, cream cheese, milk, TWO of the egg yolks and thyme until smooth. Lightly season with salt & pepper.

Place the pie crust on the baking sheet.

Spread goat cheese mixture on top, leaving a 2-inch border.


Top with leeks.

Fold edge of crust over the filling, pinching folds together to seal.


With a fork, beat together th remaining egg yolk with 1 TBSP water. Use a pastry brush to apply to dough.

Bake until the crust is golden brown, about 45-55 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into wedges and serve at room temperature.

TIP: To clean leeks....
(I know this not because I cook with leeks a lot, but because I have watched more than my fair share of FoodTV.)

Cut off the dark green tops and roots of the leeks. Cut in half lengthwise, then into half moon shapes.

Place in a bowl of cold water and swish around with your hands to loosen the dirt.

Let sit a few minutes and the grit & dirt will fall to the bottom of the bowl. I like to do this in a glass bowl, so I can SEE the dirt.


Scoop out the leeks and dry on paper towels.



I promise, back to sugar tomorrow. :) Be sure to check out all of the pie fun (and add your own) at TidyMom's Love the Pie! Party.


Oh...one more thing....this is a really good tart that will give you really horrible breath. If you're going to be smooching somebody, make sure your smoochee has eaten the tart, too. :)