Guardar A playful and delightful combination: buttery caramel apple tartlets served alongside tender herbed lamb skewers. This unique sweet-and-savory treat is perfect for entertaining or as an adventurous appetizer.
I first made these caramel apple tartlets with lamb skewers for a casual gathering, and everyone loved the exciting combination. Mixing classic apple flavors with tender herb-marinated meat created a memorable dish that sparked lots of fun conversation.
Ingredients
- Lamb shoulder or leg: 500 g, cut into 2 cm cubes
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Fresh rosemary: 1 tbsp, finely chopped
- Fresh thyme: 1 tbsp, finely chopped
- Garlic cloves: 2, minced
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Black pepper: 1/2 tsp
- Wooden or metal skewers: 8
- Puff pastry: 1 sheet, ready-made (about 250 g)
- Tart apples: 2 medium (Granny Smith), peeled, cored, thinly sliced
- Unsalted butter (for tartlets): 2 tbsp
- Brown sugar (for tartlets): 3 tbsp
- Ground cinnamon: 1/2 tsp
- Salt (for tartlets): Pinch
- Egg: 1, beaten for egg wash
- Unsalted butter (for caramel sauce): 60 g
- Brown sugar (for caramel sauce): 80 g
- Heavy cream: 60 ml
- Sea salt (caramel sauce): Pinch
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Marinate lamb:
- Combine lamb cubes, olive oil, rosemary, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix and marinate while you start tartlets.
- Puff pastry base:
- Unroll puff pastry and cut into 8 squares. Place them on prepared baking sheet.
- Layer apples:
- Arrange apple slices over each pastry square, overlapping slightly. Dot with butter, then sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Egg wash edges:
- Brush pastry edges with beaten egg.
- Bake tartlets:
- Bake for 20–22 minutes until golden and puffed. Let cool slightly.
- Thread lamb on skewers:
- While tartlets bake, thread marinated lamb cubes onto skewers.
- Grill skewers:
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Grill lamb 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned outside and just pink inside. Rest 5 minutes before serving.
- Make caramel sauce:
- Melt butter and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until bubbly and thickened (2–3 minutes). Whisk in cream and sea salt, simmer 1 minute until smooth. Set aside.
- Serve:
- Drizzle caramel sauce over warm tartlets. Serve tartlets and lamb skewers side by side. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Guardar Sharing these savory-sweet bites with my family brought lots of laughter and genuine joy at the table. The kids especially loved the caramel drizzle and fun pairing of warm pastry with juicy lamb skewers.
Required Tools
Baking sheet, parchment paper, chef’s knife, grill or grill pan, saucepan, pastry brush, skewers
Allergen Information
Contains: Gluten (puff pastry), Dairy (butter, cream), Egg. May contain tree nuts if using certain puff pastry brands. Always check ingredient labels for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (1 skewer + 1 tartlet): 370 calories, 19 g total fat, 30 g carbohydrates, 17 g protein
Guardar This festive pairing offers contrasting flavors and textures, making everyday gatherings more exciting. Give it a try and enjoy an unforgettable starter.
Preguntas frecuentes sobre recetas
- → Can I use a different meat for the skewers?
Yes, chicken or beef can easily replace lamb for the skewers. Adjust the cooking times accordingly to ensure tenderness.
- → How do I prevent the puff pastry from getting soggy?
Bake the tartlets on a high rack and preheat the oven fully. Thinly slice apples and avoid excess butter or sugar.
- → Can the caramel apple tartlets be made in advance?
Yes, prepare tartlets up to 4 hours ahead and reheat gently before serving to keep them crisp and fresh.
- → What wine pairs well with this dish?
A crisp white such as Riesling or a light red like Pinot Noir complements both the savory and sweet elements.
- → Are there vegetarian alternatives for the skewers?
You can swap lamb for grilled halloumi and vegetables, offering a delicious, meat-free option with similar flavors.
- → How can I make the caramel sauce richer?
Use a touch more heavy cream and finish with a sprinkle of sea salt for extra flavor depth and silkiness.