Apple, Onion, And Cranberry Tart with Goat Cheese

 

I looked around my kitchen and in the fridge and saw the above ingredients hanging out in my cupcake tree.  I had a pre-made pastry crust that was screaming to be used and it was a dreary baking kind of day.

Years and years ago I made a red onion and apple tart as an appetizer and loved the combination (that tart had a bit or rosemary in it as well).  Everyone loves the apple-cranberry combo in the stuffing I make for Thanksgiving and Christmas so I didn’t think I could go too wrong here.  Now as I’m typing, I could have thrown in a few chopped chestnuts for a nice crunch – next time.  Oh, and grated Gruyere cheese would work really nicely – next time. 

But as I said, given the dreary day, the ingredients that were just hanging out in the cupcake tree (who knew what a versatile piece of kitchen equipment it truly is).  This is a happy combo of flavors, takes no time to whip up and would also make nice little tartlets for the upcoming hols!

Makes 1 9-inch tart

Ingredients

½ large sweet onion, diced

2 apples, peeled and diced on the small side

¼ cup chopped dried cranberries

1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped

1 tablespoon calvados (optional)

4oz goat cheese, crumbled

1 10 inch pre-made pie crust

Salt and pepper

Canola oil for cooking

Pre-heat oven to 350°F.

Spray a 9-inch tart pan with cooking oil spray (if tart pan is not non-stick).  Line with parchment paper and feel with baking beads.  Bake for 15minutes, remove beads, and bake another 5 minutes to dry out bottom of tart.  Let cool. 

Cook onions until soft in a little canola oil over medium heat.  Add apples, thyme, cranberries, and calvados Season with salt and pepper.  Continue cooking until apples are tender and mixture is syrupy/on the dry side. 

Spoon mixture into tart shell, pressing down with the back of the spoon.  Sprinkle with goat cheese and bake for another 15-20 minutes until heated through.  Serve warm or room temperature.

Comments

[Alex]

Throw a few of those cranberries (uncooked) on top at the end to add some great color :)