Shallots Tarts with Caramelized Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
Recipe by Silvia Baldini
Makes 6 individual tartlets or one individual 24-inch tart
Ingredients
13 ounces puff pastry, 375g
12/14 medium whole shallots- peeled
1 teaspoon butter
2 teaspoons sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons Aceto Balsamico di Modena
5/6 thyme sprigs
1 cup water
6/8 ounces semi-hard goat cheese or robiola
3 eggs
¼ cup double cream
Salt and Pepper
Method
Preheat the oven at 400F degrees. Prep 6 fluted, loose bottom tartelette pans or an individual 24 inches one. Roll out the puff pastry in to circles and line the pans. Prick the bottom with a fork. Fill with weights and blind bake for 15-20 minutes in the pre-heated 400F degrees oven. Remove from the oven and remove the weights. Bake for further 5 to 10 minutes until the puff pastry is golden. Remove from the oven and set aside. Reduce the oven to 325F.
Meanwhile, while the tarts are baking, prep and cook the shallots. Put the peeled shallots in a pan with the butter, sugar, Aceto Balsamic di Modena, the thyme and water. Add salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the temperature and simmer on a medium flame for about 10 minutes until the liquid has reduced and the shallots are caramelized and coated in a dark caramel syrup but still intact. Set aside.
Assemble the tarts. Break the cheese in small pieces and divide in the baked cases. In a bowl whisk the eggs with the double cream and some salt and pepper, add chopped thyme leaves. Pour the mixture on the cheese and fill the gaps. Arrange the caramelized shallots on the egg mixture. Drizzle some of the balsamic syrup on the shallots and add a pinch of salt.
Place the tartelettes on a lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated 325F oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the filling has set. Remove from the oven and cool for a couple of minutes. Remove from the tins and serve with some of the remaining Aceto Balsamico Reduction.