Julia Child's Easy and Elegant Cheese Tartlets

Easy and Elegant is always a winning combination. That’s what I love about Julia Child’s recipes – they are unquestionably elegant, but Julia makes them easy enough for an average home cook like me to master.

I love Julia Child. I often pause in my kitchen and repeat the phrase that Christians often use: WWJD? – but when I’m  in my kitchen WWJD means “What Would Julia Do?” Whenever I feel discouraged about my cooking prowess, I snuggle on my couch late at night and watch an episode of The French Chef. I laugh out loud every single time, and am strengthened and renewed. When truly serious discouragement hits me, I bring out the big guns: Saturday Night Live’s French Chef Skit: “You’ll need a knife . . . a very, very, very sharp knife. . .” I dare any cook to watch this and not laugh out loud!  It was during one of those late-night couch sessions that I saw her make cheese tartlets. I took copious notes, and I’m glad I did, because I have not been able to find this recipe written down anywhere. You’ll just have to trust my note taking on this one.

I don’t know about all of you, but I’m inviting Julia to my New Year’s Eve celebration this year by making her cheese tartlets. Yes, I know. They are neither low-fat nor low-calorie. But. It’s the Holidays! Let’s Celebrate! I am certain that Julia would agree.

These are a masterpiece. Truly. I dare you to make appetizers that are as simple and yet sophisticated as these. It is impossible. They are the perfect blend of rich, satisfying flavors and melt-in-your-mouth comfort. If you have a favorite pie crust recipe, use that, or check out my miracle Never-Fail Pat-in-the-Pan Pie Crust. The best pie crust I’ve ever eaten!

Bonus: they take only minutes to throw together. Another bonus: they are very forgiving, and can be served warm or at room temperature. Make yourself a resolution right now to add these mini-tarts to your Hostess Bag of Tricks. I promise you won’t be sorry.

Happy Holidays to All Our Fab Frugal Friends!

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