Classic French Tarte Tatin

Tarte Tatin is a delightful upside-down caramelized apple tart that embodies the essence of French pastry. The sweet, tender apples are beautifully caramelized in butter and sugar, then baked under a flaky pastry crust, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures. This dessert is not only a classic French favorite but also meets dietary requirements as it is vegetarian and can be made nut-free.

Ingredients:

• 6 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Golden Delicious)
• 100 g unsalted butter
• 150 g granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 sheet of puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
2. Peel, core, and quarter the apples. Toss them with lemon juice to prevent browning.
3. In a 9-inch (23 cm) cast-iron skillet or oven-safe pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sugar and stir until it begins to dissolve and turns a light caramel color.
4. Arrange the apple quarters in a circular pattern in the skillet, packing them tightly. Cook for about 10 minutes, turning the apples occasionally until they are slightly softened and caramelized.
5. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
6. Cover the apples with the puff pastry, tucking the edges down around the apples. Make a few small slits in the pastry to allow steam to escape.
7. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Carefully invert the tart onto a serving plate.
9. Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.