Nov 23, 2010

Pissaladières (Onion and Anchovy Tarts)

Based on the classic French caramelized-onion tart with olives and anchovies, these little two-bite hors d'oeuvres pack a flavorful punch.

Credit: Todd Coleman

2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive
   oil
2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
2 large red onions,
   halved length-wise and
   thinly sliced
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. red wine vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black
   pepper, to taste
10 salt-cured black olives, pitted and
   minced
2 9" x 11" sheets frozen puff pastry,
   thawed
8 oil-packed anchovy filets, drained,
   cut into 4 slivers each
Minced chives or flat-leaf parsley, for
   garnish

1. Heat oil in a 12" skillet over medium heat. Add thyme and onions and cook, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until very soft, 30 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, add sugar and vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until caramelized, 12–15 minutes. Stir in olives, remove from heat, and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, heat oven to 400°. Roll out puff pastry to 1/8" thickness. Using a 2 1/2" cookie cutter, cut out 16 circles from each sheet. Transfer pastry circles to 2 parchment paper—lined baking sheets and prick each circle all over with tines of a fork. Cover circles with a sheet of parchment and another baking sheet; bake until light golden brown, 15–18 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden brown, 2–3 minutes more. Transfer circles to a large serving platter, spoon about 1 tsp. onion mixture over each, and top with a sliver of anchovy. Garnish with chives.

MAKES 32 MINI TARTS

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #134

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Ratings & Reviews (1)

by MARYVILL on 2011-01-17

This recipe was fairly easy to make. Used Trader Joe's Puff Pastry with butter. Prepared the onion mixure and tart base in the early afternoon and took to a friends for appetizer before dinner. Assembled everything there in 5 to 10 minutes, so the tarts stayed crisp. They are delicious with the carmelized onions. Everyone loved them.
Tasted the extra tart bases the next day and they were still crisp. Next time, I'll make the puff pastry base and onions the day before, and then assemble the tarts shortly before serving.

Pissaladières (Onion and Anchovy Tarts) Reviewed by MARYVILL on Jan 6. This recipe was fairly easy to make. Used Trader Joe's Puff Pastry with butter. Prepared the onion mixure and tart base in the early afternoon and took to a friends for appetizer before dinner. Assembled everything there in 5 to 10 minutes, so the tarts stayed crisp. They are delicious with the carmelized onions. Everyone loved them.
Tasted the extra tart bases the next day and they were still crisp. Next time, I'll make the puff pastry base and onions the day before, and then assemble the tarts shortly before serving. Rating: 5