Tarte tatins are often made sweet, with apples or other fruit. I love the idea of taking this classic dessert and making it with savoury ingredients. The flavour combination of caramelized shallots with balsamic caramel, thyme and buttery puff pastry is a game changer. 

As the shallots caramelize, they deepen in colour and become so sweet along with the balsamic caramel, making this tatin on the sweet side, so it would pair well with an arugula and goat cheese salad as a main or served with sharp cheese. Just cut it into wedges and serve on a cheese board. 

The visual impact of the deeply hued caramelized shallots is impressive and so are the sweet and savoury flavours. 

This is savoury baking at its best.

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Shallot Tarte Tatin

This savoury shallot tart is slightly sweet and makes a beautiful presentation.

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Ingredients

• 320 grams puff pastry, store bought works well
• all-purpose flour, for dusting
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 5-6 shallots, peeled, cut in half lengthways, roots trimmed
• 2 tbsp dark brown sugar
• 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp brandy
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• fresh rosemary sprig
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

• On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry dough.
• Cut puff pastry dough into a circle measuring about ¾ inch larger in diameter than the pan. You can also leave the dough square or rectangular in shape, making sure it will fit in the pan that you’re using. Place on parchment paper and in fridge to cool.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Heat a cast iron skillet or oven safe pan over medium heat with 2 tablespoons oil. Add the shallots, cut-side up, making sure you have enough to cover the base. Cook for 3-4 minutes and sprinkle the brown sugar.
• Gently flip the shallots over, keeping them intact. Arrange the shallots so there are no gaps.
• Turn down the heat to low, add balsamic vinegar and brandy, add thyme leaves and rosemary
• Let shallots caramelize for about 5-8 minutes and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Place the chilled pastry over the pan and carefully tuck the edges into the pan.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until puff pastry is golden.
• Remove from oven and let rest for 3 minutes, then take a serving plate and place over pan. Flip the pan over on the serving plate.
• Sprinkle with remaining fresh thyme and serve.

Notes

This recipe was inspired by Taste Toronto