CARAMELIZED-ONION TARTLETS

Caramelized-Onion Tartlets image

Yield Makes 12 hors d'oeuvres

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups very thinly sliced onion (about 2 onions)
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons water
3/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 (9-inch) refrigerated pie shell (from a 15-ounce package)
3 tablespoons crème fraîche at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
Special Equipment
a 2 1/4-inch round cookie cutter; a mini-muffin pan with 12 (1/8-cup) muffin cups

Steps:

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F.
Cook onion, butter, water, salt, and pepper, covered, in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, 10 minutes. Remove lid and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is deep golden brown and very tender, about 25 minutes.
While onion cooks, roll out dough to slightly less than 1/8 inch thick. Cut out 12 rounds with cutter and lightly press each into a mini-muffin cup. Bake until pale golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove tartlet shells from muffin pan.
Stir together crème fraîche and chives and divide among shells, then top with caramelized onions.