Ingredients for the Filling
900 gr  Red Onions, sliced
200 gr   Goats Cheese
  40 gr   Pecorino Cheese (parmesan can be used as well)
   25 gr   Olive Oil
               handful of Thyme sprigs (about 20 sprigs)
               (extra thyme for final garnish)
      8  tbsp Balsamic Vinegar                                                                                                                    salt and cracked pepper

Tart Pastry
175gr Plain Flour
  75gr Butter Soft
1 beaten Egg
 50gr cheddar cheese can be added
small amount of cold water

Tart Filling
Warm olive oil in a large pan and stir in the balsamic vinegar, thyme and sliced red onions, uncovered, reduce down the liquids and stir often for about 30 minutes. We are looking for lovely glazed carmelized onions.  Allow the onion mix to cool until ready to add into the pastry tart case.  

Method
Prepare the pastry first by rubbing the butter through the flour, this is when you can add the cheddar cheese for a cheesy dough.  Gently add the cold water, only enough to smooth the dough.  Wrap the dough and place in the refrigerator for approximately 20 minutes and go onto making the tart filling.  Roll out the dough thinly and either lay out on greased tray or cut into round pie shapes depending on the desired shape and whether they will be slice and shared  or served as individual tarts.  Bake in the oven for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.  To prevent the pastry from lifting you can add pie weights or make a weight using foil and rice to keep the tart flat.  Bake until cooked through then cool on a wire rack.  Once the pastry has cooled next step is to brush beaten egg inside the pastry and pop back into the oven again for a further 5 mins to help prevent the pastry from going soggy when the mixture is added.  Spoon in the tart mixture and sprinkle goats cheese on top and thyme.  These can be served immediately or if desired sprinkle extra percorino over the tart pop back into the oven for 1 to 2 mintues to melt cheese.  Delicious as a party canape, lunch or serve with drinks.  Other cheeses like cheddar can be added to this tart. 

You can make individual tarts or one larger tart as shown in the photo above.  This recipe would make approximately 8 tarts in mini flan tines 9cm x 2.5cm high (3.5 inch x 1 inch).

Food Photography and Food Styling by Penelope Beveridge excerpt from cookbook "Building the Perfect Meal from Scratch"

Food Photography and Styling by Penelope Beveridge excerpt from the "Building the Perfect Meal from Scratch" Cookbook