Dean Richards, renowned for his culinary expertise, has graciously shared his recipe for mouthwatering French Onion Tart Cups. This delectable dish is sure to tantalize taste buds and delight guests at any gathering. Follow along with Dean’s step-by-step instructions to create these savoury treats in your own kitchen.

To begin, gather the following ingredients:

– 1 ½ lb. onions (about 4 small), preferably yellow, halved, thinly sliced

– 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter

– ¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, plus more

– 1 garlic clove, finely chopped

– 2 tsp. sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar

– 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

– 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper

– 4 oz. Gruyère, coarsely grated, divided

– 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (one 14-oz. package or half of a 17.3-oz. package), thawed

– 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

– Chopped chives (for serving)

Follow these simple directions to prepare the French Onion Tart Cups:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, combine the sliced onions, unsalted butter, and salt over medium heat. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and translucent, approximately 9-11 minutes.

3. Uncover the pot and continue to cook, adding splashes of water as needed and stirring often, until the onions are deep golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.

4. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the finely chopped garlic, sherry vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, freshly ground pepper, and half of the grated Gruyère cheese into the onion mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if necessary. Set aside.

5. Roll out the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch square. Cut the pastry into 9 squares and gently press each square into ungreased muffin cups, allowing the corners to point up.

6. Par-bake the puff pastry squares for 5-7 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool.

7. Once cooled, brush a thin layer of Dijon mustard and sprinkle a tablespoon of shredded cheese into the bottom of each pastry cup.

8. Spoon the prepared onion mixture into each pastry cup, then top with the remaining shredded cheese.

9. Bake the tart cups in the preheated oven until golden brown and the cheese is melted, approximately 7-10 minutes. Allow the tart cups to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

10. Garnish with chopped chives before serving to add a pop of color and flavor.

Dean’s French Onion Tart Cups are sure to be a hit at any gathering, whether as an appetizer for a dinner party or a delightful snack for a cozy night in. Enjoy the rich, savoury flavours and impress your guests with this simple yet elegant dish.