Apple Tarts

By á-170456

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry - (to 2) see * Note
• 2 Granny Smith apples
• Juice from 1/2 to 1 lemon
• 1 dash salt
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 1/4 cup sugar

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

* Note: If using professional-style puff pastry, you'll need 1 sheet. You'll need 2 sheets of grocery-store puff pastry.

If using professional-style frozen puff pastry, thaw a few minutes, then roll out to about 1/8-inch thick. If using commercial frozen puff pastry, allow to thaw up to 1 hour before rolling. Cut the pastry into 6 (5-inch) rounds and place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Cut the stem end and bottom off each apple. (Do not peel.) Stand the apples up and cut them in half vertically; you'll need 3 halves. Core the halves, then very thinly slice each into half-circles about 1/16-inch thick. A mandoline works well. Cut the half-circles in half to form triangles.

Combine the lemon juice and salt and brush on the apples to prevent discoloring. Arrange the slices on top of the pastry in a petal formation, starting 1/2 inch from the edge and working toward the center. Using a sharp knife, score the edge of the pastry 1/2-inch in from the edge about 1/16-inch deep. Brush the tarts liberally with the melted butter. Sprinkle the sugar over the top. Refrigerate the tarts 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400 degrees.

Bake the tarts on the upper rack, about 6 inches from the heating element, until the pastry is golden and puffed and the apples are slightly browned around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Keep an eye on them toward the end so that they don't burn. Serve straight from the oven with vanilla ice cream.

This recipe yields 6 servings.

Each serving: 107 calories; 51 mg. sodium; 16 mg. cholesterol; 5 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 15 grams carbohydrates; 0 protein; 1 gram fiber.

Variation: To make one large tart, roll the puff pastry into a 10- to 11-inch round about 1/8-inch thick. You'll need 2 apples; prepare them as for the small tarts, only do not cut the half-circles in half. Arrange the half-circles in a petal formation on the pastry and score the edges in the same manner. Top with the melted butter and sugar as directed, and bake until the pastry is golden and puffed, 15 to 20 minutes. Use a large, sharp knife to cut into slices.