Tartlets with caramelized onions and stracciatella

The tartlets with caramelized onions and stracciatella are a delicious appetizer that combines the sweetness of the caramelized onions with the freshness of stracciatella, a soft and stringy cheese similar to mozzarella but with cream inside. Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients

• 1 package of ready-made brisée pastry (or homemade if you prefer)
• 3-4 medium onions
• 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
• 250 g of stracciatella di burrata
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh thyme or another aromatic herb to taste

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Roll out the brisée pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut out circles slightly larger than the cavities of your tartlet tin. Line each cavity with the pastry, pierce the bottom with the tines of a fork, and cover with parchment paper and dry beans (such as chickpeas or beans) to blind bake.
3. Bake the tartlets for about 10-15 minutes or until golden. Remove the beans and parchment paper and put back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes to dry and brown the bottom. Once ready, remove from the oven and let cool.
4. In the meantime, thinly slice the onions. In a large frying pan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and add the onions, seasoning lightly with salt. Sauté over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until they are translucent.
5. Add the sugar and balsamic vinegar to the onions, stirring well to evenly distribute. Continue to cook until the onions become a nice amber color and caramelize. Adjust for salt and pepper and add some chopped fresh thyme.
6. Fill the cooled tartlets with a generous spoonful of caramelized onions.
7. Top each tartlet with a good amount of stracciatella di burrata and, if desired, decorate with additional fresh aromatic herbs.
8. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast between the warm onion and the cold creamy stracciatella.

Tartlets are a sophisticated dish and perfect for an elegant appetizer or chic buffet.

Curiosity

Caramelized onions are a versatile preparation and can be used in various recipes, from appetizers to side dishes. The caramelization process enhances the natural sweetness of the onions, adding a depth of flavor that pairs well with creamy cheeses like stracciatella. Stracciatella di burrata is an Apulian delicacy, and it adds a touch of luxury to these simple but delicious bites.