Smoked Eel Tartlets with Herb Crème
Smoked Eel Tartlets with Herb Crème
Classic DishPaling in 't groen
Prep: 25 min • Cook: 15 min. A modern appetizer that creatively reimagines the classic Belgian dish 'Paling in 't groen'. These flaky tartlet shells are generously filled with succulent smoked eel and a vibrant, creamy herb sauce. Inspired by the traditional green sauce, this sophisticated bite offers a lighter, contemporary take.
- Preparation time
- 25 min
- Cooking time
- 15 min
- Total time
- 40 min
- Servings
- 12
Instructions
Prepare Tartlet Shells
- 1Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a mini muffin tin or tartlet molds.
- 2Unroll the puff pastry sheet and cut out circles slightly larger than the openings of your muffin tin or tartlet molds.
- 3Gently press the pastry circles into the prepared molds, ensuring they fit snugly.
- 4Prick the bottom of each pastry shell with a fork a few times to prevent puffing.
- 5Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg wash.
- 6Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed. If the centers puff up too much, gently press them down with the back of a spoon once out of the oven.
- 7Let the tartlet shells cool completely in the molds before carefully removing them.
Make Herb Crème
- 1In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped parsley, chopped chives, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- 2Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- 3Mix until well combined and creamy. You can use a spatula or a hand mixer on low speed for a smoother consistency.
Assemble Tartlets
- 1Gently flake the smoked eel into bite-sized pieces, ensuring all skin is removed.
- 2Spoon or pipe a generous amount of the herb crème into each cooled tartlet shell.
- 3Top the herb crème with pieces of flaked smoked eel.
- 4Garnish with fresh dill sprigs or edible flowers, if desired.
Nutrition Information
- Calories
- 151 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Carbs
- 7 g
| Nutrient | Per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 151 kcal |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Carbs | 7 g |
Tips
- Ensure puff pastry is well-chilled before cutting to achieve the flakiest results.
- Blind baking the tartlet shells with pie weights can help prevent the centers from puffing too much.
- Serve these tartlets chilled or at room temperature as an elegant appetizer or part of a larger buffet.
