Pancetta and Onion Tartlets

Here is a belated Valentine's Day appetizer that is super delicious and easy to make. I've been so busy with activities at school that I've spent very little time in the kitchen. But, I did manage to make these little beauties, the afternoon of Valentine's Day. My husband and I didn't have plans to go out to dinner, we rarely go out on Valentine's day and since we had the kids, we stayed home together. That was fine by me, because I was able to play around with what I had on hand and came up with these savory tartlets. Using frozen pie crust made these come together in a snap. Enjoy!

Pancetta and Onion Tartlets

Makes 6

1 small 5oz. container of Pancetta
1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
1 cup red bell pepper, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 t fresh thyme leaves
pepper (to taste)
3 T olive oil infused with 1 clove garlic minced
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 prepared pie crust, thawed

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
In a large skillet add pancetta and brown over medium heat and remove from pan and set aside. Add onions and red peppers to the pan and saute until they are caramelized about 15-20 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, and cooked pancetta and heat for an additional 2 minutes. Set aside mixture while you prepare the tartlet crusts.
Roll out pie crust and using a rolling pin roll out to about 1/8" thickness. Using two sizes of heart-shaped cookie cutters, cut out 12 of the larger hearts. The use the smaller cookie cutter to cut 6 smaller hearts out of the center of 6 hearts to create the top frame of tartlet. See picture below.

Transfer 6 of the large pie crust hearts to a parchment lined cookie sheet. Place the top pie crust heart over the first heart.Using a pastry brush coat lightly with garlic infused olive oil.

Spoon about a tablespoon of pancetta and onion mixture into each heart tartlets. Grate Parmesan cheese over the top and bake for 15-20 minutes. Let cool slightly, and sprinkle with more cheese and fresh thyme before serving.

Other recipes to try:
Zucchini Bruschetta
Sriracha Deviled Eggs
Crab and Mango Won Ton Cups