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Savory Apple Thyme Tart Recipe

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This Savory Apple Thyme Tart combines a flaky golden crust with caramelized onions, tangy crème fraîche, sharp Gruyere cheese, and fresh thyme, topped with thinly sliced apples for a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and herbaceous flavors. A refined yet simple dish ideal for brunch, lunch, or an elegant appetizer.

  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 2 individual 6-inch tarts
  • Category: Tart
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Pastry

  • 1 batch store bought or homemade pie dough (1 roll of store bought pie dough is enough for two individual 6-inch tarts)

Filling and Topping

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, sliced into thin rings
  • ½ cup crème fraîche
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
  • ½ tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the tart shells: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pie dough and press it into two 6-inch tart pans, trimming off any excess dough. Place the tart pans in the refrigerator to chill until the dough is firm, about 30 minutes.
  2. Blind bake the crust: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line each tart shell with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans to prevent bubbling. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the parchment paper and weights, and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
  3. Cool and adjust oven temperature: Transfer the tart pans to a wire rack and allow them to cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) for the next baking step.
  4. Caramelize the onions: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil, swirling to combine. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly browned and beginning to caramelize, about 8 minutes per side. Once done, remove from heat.
  5. Assemble the tart: In a small bowl, mix together the crème fraîche and Dijon mustard. Spread this mixture evenly over the cooled tart crusts. Sprinkle half of the shredded Gruyere cheese and the chopped thyme leaves over the crème fraîche layer. Arrange the thin apple slices and caramelized onions evenly atop the cheese layer. Finish by sprinkling the remaining cheese on top. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
  6. Bake the assembled tart: Place the assembled tarts on the top oven rack and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the cheese has melted completely.
  7. Serve: Let the tarts cool for 10 minutes before garnishing with extra fresh thyme leaves. Slice and serve warm for the best flavor and texture experience.

Notes

  • Using a sharp knife helps achieve thin, even apple slices for uniform cooking.
  • Make sure the onions are fully caramelized to bring out their natural sweetness which complements the tart.
  • Blind baking the crust prevents it from becoming soggy once the filling is added.
  • Gruyere cheese can be substituted with Emmental or Comté if needed, for a similar melt and flavor profile.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat gently in an oven to maintain the crispness of the crust.

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/savory-apple-thyme-tart-recipe/