Caramelized Onion and Apple Tarts

With the holidays fast approaching it’s a good idea to have a few easy appetizers in your back pocket. Really can’t get much easier than this! Keep these seasonal ingredients on hand …. you can also combine mushroom and butternut squash or pear and caramelized onion. This appetizer pulls together so quickly and is so easy and elegant…. you’ll feel like you cheated!

Caramelized Onion and Apple Tarts with Gruyere and Thyme ( adapted from Williams-Sonoma)

*Makes 32 tarts

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 lb yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 lb tart apples, peeled and chopped

1 teaspoon sugar

1 1/2 oz. Gruyere cheese, grated

2 tablespoons chives, minced

1 teaspoon thyme, chopped

pepper

1 package (1 lb) frozen puff pastry dough, thawed

1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water

In a large saute pan over medium heat, warm oil.  Add onions, salt and cool until the onions are golden, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and cool. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Melt butter in a medium pan and add apples, sugar and stir to coat. Stir until the apples have softened, about 10 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with onions and add cheese, chives, thyme and pepper. Cut the pastry sheet into 2 inch squares. Place on baking sheets about 1 inch apart and wash with egg mixture. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of mixture in the center of pastry square. Season with salt and pepper. Bake rotating the baking sheets top to bottom and from  front to back during baking for even cooking. Bake til bottoms are crisp and golden on top, about 25 minutes. Makes 32 tarts.

*I cut the recipe in half for 6 people………..and have the remaining ingredients ready to go for another evening!