Description
These indulgent Dates & Brie Upside-Down Tarts combine the natural sweetness of Medjool dates with creamy brie cheese, crispy pancetta, and a spicy honey glaze. Encased in flaky puff pastry and cooked on a griddle, these elegant tarts make a perfect appetizer or savory-sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry and Filling
- 1 puff pastry sheet
- 1 pinch flour (for dusting)
- 27 Medjool dates, pitted
- Olive oil, for brushing
- 9 thick slices of brie cheese
- 4 oz pancetta
- 2 tbsp chopped chives
Honey Glaze
- 3½ tbsp honey
- 1½ tbsp white balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp crushed red peppers
- 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Lightly dust a cutting board with flour to prevent sticking. Lay out the puff pastry sheet and gently roll it out a bit. Cut the dough into 9 equal squares.
- Prepare Dates: On a sheet of parchment paper, group dates into sets of three. Cover with another piece of parchment and use a rolling pin to gently smash the dates together into a compact cluster.
- Assemble Tarts: Brush olive oil along the edges of one side of each puff pastry square. Place the oiled side down over each date cluster and press firmly to seal. Pinch edges with a fork and brush tops with olive oil.
- Preheat Griddle: Heat your Weber Slate Griddle to medium-low temperature, aiming for 375°F to 400°F to ensure even cooking.
- Cook Pancetta: Add pancetta slices to the griddle and cook until golden and crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
- Cook Tarts: Place puff pastry tarts date-side down on the griddle with the lid closed. Cook for 5-7 minutes, adjusting heat to maintain 375°F. Flip when golden and cook the other side covered for an additional 5-6 minutes.
- Melt Brie: Turn off the heat and top each tart with a thick slice of brie. Cover and let sit for 3-4 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
- Make Honey Glaze: In a pan, combine honey, white balsamic vinegar, crushed red peppers, and chopped rosemary. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Serve: Drizzle the honey glaze over each tart, then top with cooked pancetta and chopped chives. Serve warm and enjoy the blend of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.
Notes
- Use pitted Medjool dates for natural sweetness and soft texture.
- Smashing the dates helps them bind together inside the puff pastry.
- Maintain medium-low heat on the griddle to prevent burning the puff pastry while ensuring even cooking.
- The honey glaze adds a spicy-sweet dimension with the crushed red peppers and rosemary, but adjust quantity to taste.
- For a vegetarian version, omit pancetta and consider substituting with crispy mushrooms or nuts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: dates brie tarts, puff pastry appetizer, savory sweet tarts, pancetta appetizer, honey glaze tarts
