Rustic Apple Tart

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Makes 4 servings
These are an easy and elegant addition to a dinner party.

For tarts
1/3 c plus 1/2 T sugar
1/2 c apple cider
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
4 small Gala apples, unpeeled
1 frozen puff pastry sheet (from a 17 1/4-oz package), thawed
3 T unsalted butter
1T brandy

For whipped cream
1/2 c chilled heavy cream
1 t powdered sugar
1 t vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Cook 1/3 cup sugar in a dry 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until sugar is melted into a pale golden caramel. Tilt skillet and carefully pour in cider and vinegar (caramel will harden and steam vigorously). Simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until caramel is dissolved.
3. While syrup simmers, cut apples into 1/8-inch-thick slices with mandoline, rotating around core of each (discard cores). Add apple slices to hot syrup in skillet, gently tossing to coat. Remove from heat and let stand, stirring occasionally, until apples are wilted by syrup, 5 to 10 minutes.
4. While apples stand, roll out puff pastry sheet into a 12-inch square on a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin. Cut into quarters, forming 4 (6-inch) squares and brush off excess flour from both sides.
5. Transfer squares to a large shallow baking pan, overlapping if necessary (squares will fit without touching after edges are folded in later).
6. Drain apples in a sieve set over a bowl (reserve syrup), then mound slices decoratively on each square, leaving a 3/4-inch border all around. Fold border over apples along edges, pinching edges together as necessary, then dot tops of apples with a total of 1 tablespoon butter and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tablespoon sugar.
7. Bake tarts until apples are tender, pastry is puffed, and edges and undersides are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
8. While tarts bake, boil reserved syrup in skillet with brandy (or Calvados) and remaining 2 tablespoons butter until thickened and reduced to about 1/3 cup. Brush or drizzle hot syrup over tarts.
9. Just before serving, beat cream with sugar in a chilled bowl with a whisk or electric mixer until cream holds soft peaks. Serve with tarts.

Note: Tarts can be baked several hours ahead and cooled, uncovered, then kept at room temperature. Reheat in a 350°F oven until hot, 10 to 15 minutes.

Adapted from Gourmet, September 2006