Caramelized Onion Tartlets with Stracciatella and Anchovy

Caramelized Onion and Stracciatella Tartlets

Category: Appetizers
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough:
   Begin by preparing the base dough for your tartlets. Start by mixing the tomato paste with ice-cold water (about 1-2 tablespoons of water). Next, using the “sablage” technique, place the sifted flour, cold butter cut into small cubes, and a pinch of salt in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture has a crumbly, sandy texture.

2. Form the Dough:
   Once the mixture reaches a sandy consistency, transfer it to a clean work surface and form a well in the center. Pour in the tomato paste mixture and quickly knead everything together to form a dough. Be careful not to overwork the dough, just enough to bring it together.

3. Chill the Dough:
   Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 40 minutes. This will help the dough firm up and make it easier to roll out.

4. Roll and Shape the Dough:
   Once the dough has rested, remove it from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch (3 mm). Carefully fit the dough into tartlet pans and prick the bottom with a fork to prevent puffing during baking.

5. Blind Bake the Tartlet Shells:
   To blind bake, line the tartlet shells with parchment paper and fill them with baking beans, rice, or ceramic baking weights to keep the shape. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes. Once the tartlets are golden and set, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely before removing the weights.

6. Prepare the Caramelized Onions:
   While the tartlet shells are cooling, slice the red Tropea onions thinly. In a pan, melt 40g of butter over medium heat. Add the onions and cook gently, stirring occasionally, until they soften and start to caramelize. Sprinkle with brown sugar and a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness of the onions. Continue cooking for 15-20 minutes, allowing the onions to turn golden and develop a rich flavor.

7. Prepare the Stracciatella:
   While the onions are caramelizing, prepare the stracciatella cheese. Take the burrata cheese, carefully extract the creamy stracciatella center, and drain it to remove any excess moisture. Once drained, gently shred the stracciatella into small pieces using your hands.

8. Assemble the Tartlets:
   To assemble the tartlets, begin by placing a generous layer of caramelized onions at the bottom of each tart shell. Then, spoon the shredded stracciatella on top, making sure it is evenly distributed across the onions.

9. Garnish and Finish:
   For a final touch, place a rolled-up anchovy fillet in the center of each tartlet and garnish with a caper flower. This adds a burst of salty richness and a beautiful visual appeal.

10. Serve and Enjoy:
    Your caramelized onion and stracciatella tartlets are now ready to serve. These delightful, savory bites are perfect as an appetizer for any occasion. Enjoy the harmony of the sweet caramelized onions, creamy stracciatella, and briny accents of anchovies and capers!

Nutritional Information (per serving)

This recipe brings together the perfect balance of flavors, with the richness of butter and cheese, the sweetness of caramelized onions, and the tangy accent from the anchovies and capers. It’s sure to impress your guests and become a favorite appetizer for any gathering!