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Can you believe Christmas time is already here? I mean, actually here: like, it’s December. Not that fake kind of here-in-July when certain stores – I’ll refrain from naming – start putting out their Christmas decor. Ironically, this is just when it seems like I finally put mine away – joking, of course!
When December hits, I find myself asking where on earth this past year went:
- Did I accomplish everything I wanted to do?
- Did I actually enjoy the summer?
- Did I spend time with family and friends?
- Did I make a difference in the world?
Ok, that may seem a bit extreme, but I do tend to overthink everything. Every year, I decide that I need to enjoy the season and truly savor each day to the fullest.
I start my Christmas season spending each night after work making cookies, candies, decorating, filling outdoor pots with fresh-cut greens, stringing lights, and wrapping gifts. And then all of a sudden, it’s Christmas, and once again, I let it all fly by!
Sound familiar? I know I’m not alone. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to throw a Christmas party that gathers together friends for an afternoon of cheer and food. I’ve also decided to designate the party as “annual,” not just so everyone else can anticipate the event but to keep myself accountable.
Parties are work; they take time and preparation. But the more I throw, the more I’ve learned that guests don’t remember the minute details I fret over. They remember the delicious eggnog and most importantly, the good conversation. This is why I choose foods that could be appetizers or small bites. I don’t stress over a sit-down dinner party, but instead, prepare items that are quick to make and can sit at room temperature for hours and still taste great. This caramelized onion tart is perfect for just such an occasion!
Let’s make this caramelized onion tart even easier:
- Caramelize the onions a week in advance and store in the refrigerator.
- Buy the puff pastry, blue cheese and dried figs. You could totally make your own puff pastry (which I’ve done), but we’re trying to keep this easy here people!
Once assembled, the tart bakes in 20 minutes and can be served warm or at room temperature. The blue cheese melts and gives a tangy balance to the almost candy-like caramelized onions. The figs add an extra sweet texture to counter the flaky buttery crust.
This is super easy to make but tastes like it took all day to prepare!
Watch how to make this caramelized onion tart
Caramelized Onion Tart with Figs & Blue Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 lb yellow onion (about 2-3 onions)
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 6 oz dried figs sliced into pieces
- 1 package puff pastry (2 sheets)
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp fig preserves
- 6 oz blue cheese
Instructions
For the caramelized onions
- Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-low heat.4 tbsp unsalted butter
- Cut the ends off the onions and slice in half, end to end. Slice each half thinly to approximately ⅛-inch thick.2 lb yellow onion (about 2-3 onions)
- Add the onions to the melted butter and continue to cook over medium-low to low heat. Heating too high will brown or burn the onions without caramelizing. Slowly cook the onions, stirring occasionally until they begin to soften and brown. Continue to cook until the onions are evenly light brown and just begin to stick on the skillet, 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add the vinegar, salt, and pepper.2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 ½ tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Cool and chill until ready to assemble. Or cool to room temperature and assemble.
For the tart
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Thaw the puff pastry overnight in the refrigerator. Working with one sheet at a time, roll out on a floured surface to 11×13 inches. Place pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet.1 package puff pastry (2 sheets)
- With a sharp knife, make a line around the perimeter of the pastry ½-inch in from the edge, making sure not to cut through the pastry.
- Stir together the Dijon mustard and fig preserves. Brush half of the mixture on one sheet of pastry.2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 3 tbsp fig preserves
- Sprinkle half of the prepared onions over the pastry followed by half of the sliced figs.6 oz dried figs
- Finish by crumbling half of the blue cheese evenly over the top.6 oz blue cheese
- Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and the pastry is puffed, 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes. Slice into pieces and serve.
Kaleb
Is there a good substitute for the blue cheese?
Thanks
Michelle
Feta, goat cheese, gruyere
Hi Kaleb,
I’m not fond of strong cheese/blue cheese. Is there a substitute mild cheese which would be suitable for the onion fig tart?
Merry Christmas!
I made this Tart this evening. Easy Peasy and very rustic, yet elegant. Flavors spot on! I used 5 oz pre-crumbled Gorgonzola as that is what I had on hand and homemade fig preserves I made this past summer. Delicious and family approved! Thanks Kaleb for sharing and for making the tedious effort to record/edit,etc this lovely recipe for all of us! I cannot wait to try more of your recipes!
This is amazing! My neighbor made last night and I couldn’t get enough of this savory, rustic tart. Plan to make for the perfect Thanksgiving appetizer. Yum!
There was no puff pastry in the entire county, and I know that would have even made it better. I ended up using butter flavor crescent roll dough, and everyone still gobbled it up.
Leave out the mustard. I mixed softened cream cheese with a few herbs spread on the bread, a little apricot jam (didn’t find the fig preserves anywhere local either) figs and onions and it was GONE!