Prepare to have your taste buds both confused and delighted! This Apple and Onion Tarte Tatin dish is proof that apples can play just as well with the savory crowd as they do with sweets.

Let’s start with our dynamic duo: apples and onions. We’re using firm, tart apples like Granny Smiths here, which hold their shape well during cooking and provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the onions. Speaking of onions, we’re going with red onions for their milder flavor and beautiful color. When caramelized, they bring a deep, complex sweetness that complements the apples perfectly.

The magic of a tarte tatin lies in its upside-down cooking method. We start by arranging our apple and onion slices in a beautiful pattern in the bottom of a heavy, oven-safe skillet. Then comes the fun part – caramelizing. A mixture of butter and a touch of sugar gets poured over the fruits and veg, and the whole thing goes on the stovetop. As it cooks, the most incredible aroma will fill your kitchen – it’s like autumn decided to pay you a personal visit.

Now, in a traditional tarte tatin, we’d be using a sweet pastry dough. But remember, we’re in savory territory here. Instead, we’re topping our caramelized goodies with a layer of buttery puff pastry. As it bakes, the pastry puffs up and turns golden brown, creating a perfect, flaky lid for our savory filling.

Here’s where we take things up another notch. Just before serving, we’re crumbling some tangy goat cheese over the top. The creamy, slightly tart cheese is the perfect counterpoint to the sweet caramelized onions and apples. A sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves adds a final herbaceous note that ties everything together.

Serving this Apple and Onion Tarte Tatin is always a showstopper moment. You’ll flip it out onto a serving plate, revealing the beautifully caramelized pattern of apples and onions. Don’t worry if some pieces stick to the pan – just arrange them back on top and no one will be the wiser. It’s meant to look rustic, after all!

This dish occupies a unique space between appetizer, side dish, and main course. Serve it as a fancy starter at your next dinner party, pair it with a crisp green salad for a light lunch, or make it the star of a vegetarian dinner. However you serve it, be prepared for surprised expressions followed quickly by sounds of culinary delight.

The Apple and Onion Tarte Tatin is more than just a recipe – it’s a conversation piece, a demonstration of culinary creativity, and a delicious reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected combinations yield the most delightful results.

Apple and Onion Tarte Tatin

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Our Apple and Onion Tarte Tatin takes the classic French dessert and gives it a savory makeover that’s sure to become a new favorite in your recipe repertoire.

• Author: Amanda MacArthur
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Bakery

Ingredients

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• 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
• 2 red onions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon sugar (or honey, or maple syrup)
• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 2 oz goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a 9-inch oven-safe skillet, arrange apple and onion slices in a circular pattern.
• Sprinkle with sugar, dot with butter.
• Cook over medium heat until caramelized, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat, cover with puff pastry, tucking edges into the pan.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until pastry is golden.
• Let cool for 5 minutes, then invert onto a plate.
• Top with crumbled goat cheese and thyme leaves.

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If you try this Apple and Onion Tarte Tatin recipe, leave a comment and let me know what you think!