Simple appetizer for wine: onion, pear and feta tart

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-13 00:26

We have already said more than once that, having at hand a layer of frozen puff pastry, you can cook dozens of different dishes in a minimum of time. A worthy place in the list of such dishes is occupied by tart with caramelized onions, feta and pears. Such a simple and elegant appetizer goes well with wine, and even those who usually avoid fiddling with dough can handle it.

Ingredients:

• a sheet of yeast-free puff pastry (250-300 g);
• 1-2 soft pears;
• 1½ large onion;
• 90 g feta cheese;
• a pinch of dried thyme;
• balsamic glaze (optional).

While the dough sheet is thawing, you have the opportunity to prepare the caramelized onions. This stage is the most time consuming and most demanding step. Dividing the onion into half rings of equal thickness, they are laid out in a saucepan with heated oil and placed over medium heat. After the onion is fried until transparent, reduce the heat under the saucepan and season the onion with a pinch of salt and thyme. In order to speed up the caramelization, you can additionally sprinkle the onion with sugar.

Now the onion half rings need to be closely monitored and mixed periodically. Caramelization will take 15–20 minutes, and readiness can be determined by the pronounced caramel color of the onion and its viscous consistency, which is provided by the same caramelized sugar. If the onions begin to stick to the bottom of the dish, you can pour in a little water, no more than a tablespoon.

Roll out the thawed layer of dough into a rectangle with an approximate size of 15 × 25 cm. Step back a couple of centimeters from the edge and make cuts along the entire contour without cutting through the dough. Frequently prick the area in the middle with a fork so that it does not rise so much when baking.

For the tart to come out crispy, the base of the dough must first be baked separately. Seven minutes at 200 degrees will be enough for the dough to lighten and begin to rise.

Lightly press the piece out of the oven in the center to lower the risen dough, and spread the caramelized onions over the surface. Place thin slices of pear on top.

Send everything to bake at the same temperature for another 12-15 minutes.

Complement the finished tart with crumbled feta (or other salted or spicy cheese), and, if desired, pour balsamic glaze before serving.