Blue Cheese, Tomato and Green Onion Tartlets
1/2 C. (about 20 small) grape tomatoes, stemmed, rinsed and dried (see note)
one 3 1/2 - to 4-oz. piece of creamy blue cheese, such as Saga Blue, broken into
dime-size pieces
1/3 C. chopped green onions (3 to 4 green onions with roots and all but 2 inches
of green stems cut off)
1/4 C. pine nuts, toasted (see note)
30 frozen mini phyllo dough shells
2 1/2 T. chopped chives
To prepare filling, quarter tomatoes lengthwise, but do not remove seeds or
pulp. Place in nonreactive mixing bowl along with cheese. (If using blue cheese
with rind such as Saga Blue, do not cut off the rind.) Add chopped green onions
and pine nuts to bowl, and toss gently to mix well. (Filling can be prepared 4
hours ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature
30 minutes before baking tartlets.)
When ready to bake, remove phyllo shells from freezer and arrange them on a
large, heavy baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Let stand for 10 minutes to
defrost. Spoon filling into shells, dividing mixture evenly and mounding it
generously in each shell.
Bake tartlets on center rack at 350� F. until cheese has melted and filling is
hot, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle tops with chopped chives. Arrange tartlets on
serving platter. Serve hot.
Note: Delicious little grape tomatoes, which are smaller and sweeter than cherry
tomatoes, are best used in this recipe. They are available in most markets in
the produce section.
To toast pine nuts, heat medium, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add nuts
and cook, stirring, until golden-brown, 5 minutes or longer. Remove and cool.
Makes 30 tartlets or enough to serve 10 to 12.