Spiced honey tarts with Oka

Preparation 20 minutes
Makes 10 Tarts
Cooking 20 minutes

Ingredients: 1/2 lb (250 g) puff pastry (homemade or store-bought) 1/4 cup (50 mL) butter, melted 2/3 cup (150 mL) liquid honey 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) freshly ground pepper 1 tsp (5 mL) ground ginger 1 tsp (5 mL) ground coriander 1 small round (225 g) Canadian Oka, cut into 10 wedges about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick 1 cup (250 mL) your choice of mixed fruit, diced (strawberries, figs, mangoes, peaches or pears)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).

2. Roll out dough about 1/4 inch (5 mm) thick and cut out 10 circles 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) in diameter. Place on a cookie sheet. Brush each circle with melted butter and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and set aside.

3. In a microwaveable bowl, stir together honey, pepper, ginger and coriander. Microwave on HIGH for about 45 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds.

4. To assemble tarts, place a wedge of cheese on each pastry circle. Top with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of fruit, then glaze with a tsp (5 mL) of spiced honey. Serve hot or lukewarm.

Replace the spices in the honey with cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves.

All the science and secrets of the monks of yesteryear can be found in this wonderful, subtly flavoured cheese. A semi-soft, surface-ripened cheese that has been made in Quebec since the 19th century, Oka was originally produced by the Trappist monks in the village of Oka.

NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING (2 TARTS): Energy: 420 Cal/1761 kJ Protein: 12.4 g Fat: 29.9 g Carbohydrate: 25.4 g Sodium: 852 mg Fibre: 0.8 g Calcium: 613 mg Suggested Wine: For a lush mix of strawberry, fig, mango, peach and pear together with slightly sweet spices, try a Gewürztraminer from France’s Alsace region.