Upside-Down Apple-Cheddar Tarts with Frisée and Toasted Walnuts
by François Payard
Though this update of the classic Tarte Tatin is more of a dessert-and-cheese course, it would be great served as an appetizer as well. If you can’t find Fuji apples, use another sweet apple variety instead, such as Gala or Braeburn.
Serves 8
All-purpose flour as needed for rolling
1 9-1/2 oz. sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed overnight in the refrigerator
4 medium Fuji apples
2 oz. (4 Tbs.) unsalted butter
8 thin slices sharp white Cheddar (about 3 inches square and 1/8 inch thick)
1 small head frisée, torn into small pieces (4 cups)
1/2 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry to a 12x15-inch rectangle.
With a 3-1/2- to 4-inch round cookie cutter, cut out 8 disks of puff pastry. Prick each disk all over with a fork. Arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a nonstick baking mat or parchment and bake until puffed and golden, about 25 minutes. Set aside to cool. Peel and core the apples with an apple corer. Cut off about 1/2 inch from both ends to create two flat surfaces, and then cut the apple in half along the equator. You should have eight 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick apple rings. If the rings are wider than 3 inches, use a 3-inch round cookie cutter to trim them down.
Heat 2 Tbs. of the butter in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Cook 4 of the rings until light golden-brown on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining 2 Tbs. butter and 4 apple rings. Flip the apples in the pan and add to them the first batch of apples, browned side up. Bake the apples at 350°F until soft and slightly caramelized, 40 to 45 minutes. Put 1 slice of the cheese on top of each apple and bake until slightly melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Place a disk of puff pastry over the cheese and bake until heated through and the cheese has fully melted, about 3 minutes. Transfer the tarts with a spatula to individual salad plates, turning them over so the apple is on top
In a large bowl, toss the frisée with the walnuts. Whisk the olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Toss the salad with the dressing and season to taste with salt and pepper. Distribute the salad among the plates and serve.
nutrition information (per serving):
Size
:
Per Tart;
Calories
(kcal):
390;
Fat
(g):
30;
Fat Calories
(kcal):
260;
Saturated Fat
(g):
10;
Protein
(g):
7;
Monounsaturated Fat
(g):
12;
Carbohydrates
(g):
26;
Polyunsaturated Fat
(g):
6;
Sodium
(mg):
310;
Cholesterol
(mg):
30;
Fiber
(g):
3;
photo: Scott Phillips
From Fine Cooking 107
, pp. 77
September 2, 2010
