Mushroom Tarts and Mr. Bingley

The dinner I made last night made my parents really, really sad that I'm leaving to go to college soon. 

Dad even asked if I could make enough meals to freeze to last them until the next time I'm home. 

It seems every time my mom sends me to the store with her credit card to pick up one thing for her (sugar free Bluebell Strawberry ice cream... always), I'll usually pick up for myself a little box of Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry. 

This stuff is like pure gold. 

What's that noise? Oh, yeah. It's the sound of angels singing. 

Puff Pastry is one of those magical things that essentially makes a meal, with almost no effort at all. Adding Puff Pastry to anything makes it look instantly fancy and time-consuming. Let's keep that our little secret. 

Dad asked for "something different and creative" for dinner last night, so I took myself out of that little metaphorical box and thought of something. 

Mushroom, Onion, and Pepper Jack Tarts

AKA Magic Tarts

Yield: 9 three inch tarts

2 tbsp olive oil 

1 tbsp butter

1/2 cup chopped white onion

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 cup chopped mushroom (any variety, I used shiitake and baby bella together)

1/4 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

1 egg

1 tbsp half and half (or milk or cream)

1 Sheet Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry, thawed (if your local store has generic brand I'm really jealous. I've never found anything even close to Pepperidge Farm) The box comes with two sheets, but this recipe only needs one. 

1. In a pan on low-medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Saute the onion and garlic until the onion is grilled (a little brown on the edges)

2. Add the mushroom and chicken broth. Simmer until the chicken broth is evaporated. (15 minutes)

3. Open up the trifold Puff Pastry. Using a biscuit cutter, cut out nine circles. 

4. Beat the egg and half and half together. Using a pastry brush, brush a little of the egg wash on each circle of Puff Pastry. 

5. When the mushroom and onion mixture is simmered down, divide it equally on each of the puffs. 

6. Sprinkle the cheese equally on each of the puffs. 

7. In an oven heated to 400 Fahrenheit, bake the puffs for 15 minutes or until golden and delicious looking.  

*Swoon*

Speaking of swooning, I've been revisiting my second favorite movie, Pride and Prejudice (the Keira Knightley one).

How... HOW, I ASK YOU, CAN A MAN HAVE HAIR THAT PERFECT?! HOW?!?!?

Mr. Bingley... 

Gah.