It's January, and many of you would have opted for a vegan diet this month in lieu of Veganuary. That means no eggs, meat, milk and even honey for a whole month! Exploring a vegan lifestyle can sometimes be a daunting task as the options tend to be quite limited. So, today, I am sharing a vegan dessert recipe to help you through your plant-powered journey. Not only is it extremely easy to make, it has even taken the internet by storm. It is an upside-down puff pastry tart!
Upside-down puff tarts are precisely what the name suggests - tarts made with puff pastry sheets baked upside down with the filling of your choice. They taste so delicious and unique that you won't even believe they have no eggs or butter.
Upside-down strawberry puff tarts recipe
Making delicious puff pastry tarts couldn't be any easier! Simply place all the ingredients on a baking tray in the correct order, pop them in the oven, and voila! In no time, you'll have beautiful and impressive strawberry tarts. However, feel free to personalise your tarts by using your favourite fruit or filling.
Step-by-step recipe guide
Preparation time - 5 minutes
Baking time - 20 minutes
Serving - 6
Ingredients
3 vegan puff pastry square sheets (store-bought)
50 gms dark amber maple syrup
6 fresh strawberries
1 tbsp custard powder (non-dairy)
3 tbsp non-dairy milk
Brown sugar, for sprinkling (optional)
Method
To begin, preheat your oven to 200°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Defrost the puff pastry sheets and cut them into six equally sized rectangles. Thinly slice the tops off the strawberries.
On the lined tray, add about half to one teaspoon of maple syrup per puff pastry sheet, leaving ample space between each portion. Spread the syrup evenly to form a rectangle smaller than the size of your puff pastry sheet.
Place the sliced strawberries on top of the syrup, arranging them in a single or double line depending on the size of your puff pastry sheet.
Next, place the cut puff pastry sheets on top of the strawberries and press the edges with a fork to seal the tart.
Prepare the milk wash by mixing the custard powder with non-dairy milk, ensuring the mixture is free of lumps. Brush the milk wash on the puff pastry and sprinkle brown sugar on top.
Bake the tray in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown. Allow the puff tarts to cool on the tray for a few minutes to set the filling.
Finally, flip the tarts onto a plate and serve them fresh.
Tips
1. You can use any fruit, like peaches, apricots or pears.
2. You can make non-vegan savoury tarts by replacing the fruits and maple syrup with meats like salami, sliced sausage and even cheese, if you would like.
3. You can skip using brown sugar. It just adds more colour, sweetness and crunch to the puff pastry tarts.
4. You can use regular egg or milk wash instead of custard milk wash.
5. You can brush some more maple syrup once the tarts are baked. This will add a shine to the tarts.
6. You can serve the tarts with a dollop of non-dairy whipped cream and more fresh fruits.
What other recipes would you like featured? Tell us at food@gulfnews.com
