These Upside Down Mini Tarts with LightLife Smart Bacon, Caramelized Shallots, and Lemon Pepper Arugula, is the perfect recipe to Impress your friends and family. Easy and quick, you cannot go wrong with these mini tarts.
Thank you LightLife for sponsoring this post.
Today I'm back with another fun plant based recipe. What I love most about these mini tarts is how adorable they look. They look like a piece of mini art, even though they took less than 30 minutes to make and require minimal prep.
Why you will want to try these Upside Down Mini Tarts:
Remarkably Easy: Thanks to the simple ingredients and minimal steps, these tarts are truly effortless to make and require minimal kitchen skills, making them a great choice for everyone.
Effortless Elegance: Hosting a summer gathering or just looking to elevate your snacking game? These Upside-Down Mini Tarts not only taste exceptional but also bring an effortless touch of elegance to your table. Your guests will be wowed by the sophisticated presentation and complex flavors.
Versatile: While the recipe comes with delightful guidelines, it also invites your creativity. Swap out the honey or add any extra ingredients according to your taste. This adaptability means you can tailor the tarts to match your preferred flavor profile and the ingredients you have on hand.
Look after your health without feeling weighed down:
As a registered dietitian, I always aim to incorporate proteins in any recipe including snacks and appetizers. Including protein in your snacks can help provide a steady release of energy over a longer period, helping to prevent energy crashes and keeping you fueled between meals. It can also boost your metabolism as well as regulate your blood sugar. LightLife Smart Bacon contains 5g protein per serving, zero cholesterol and saturated fat, and no added nitrates/nitrites making it a great option to power your day up without weighing you down.
Ingredients & Substitutions:
12 LightLife Smart Bacon strips. You can find them in the refrigerated produce aisles at your local grocery stores. I got mine from Whole Foods!
1 Sheet store-bought puff pastry, thawed. If you can't find pre-made puff pastry or prefer a different base, you can use crescent roll dough or pie dough as a substitute.
2 Medium shallots. You can also use red onions or any type of onions you have on hand.
4 Tsp honey. Feel free to replace the honey with another sweetener like agave nectar or maple syrup. You might need to adjust the quantity based on your desired sweetness level.
Balsamic glaze. If you don't have balsamic glaze, you can make a simple balsamic reduction by simmering balsamic vinegar until it thickens. Alternatively, you can use a touch of regular balsamic vinegar for a similar flavor.
1 Cup fresh arugula. If you're not a fan of arugula or don't have it on hand, you can substitute with baby spinach or mixed greens.
Juice of 1 lemon
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 250°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
Cut the thawed puff pastry into 6 equal rectangles, set aside.
Drizzle about 1 teaspoon of honey, top with balsamic glaze. Arrange 4 overlapping half slices of Smart Bacon overtop of the honey, cover with a puff pastry rectangle. Use a fork to crimp the edges to adhere to the parchment paper.
4. Repeat for the rest of the rectangles
5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
6. Let the tarts cool for 5-8 minutes on the pan before flipping over.
7. Toss your arugula in lemon juice and black pepper.
Plant Based Eating & Your Health
Adopting a plant-based diet can offer a range of health benefits due to its emphasis on whole, minimally processed plant foods. Here are five notable health advantages of eating plant-based
Heart Healthy: Plant-based diets are linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. They tend to be lower in saturated and trans fats, which are commonly found in animal products. Instead, plant-based diets are rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, fiber, and antioxidants. These components can help lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, and improve overall cardiovascular health.
Digestive Health: The fiber content in plant-based diets promotes healthy digestion and gut health. Fiber aids in regular bowel movement, and supports a diverse and balanced gut microbiota. This can lead to improved gut function and overall digestive well-being.
Inflammation Reduction: Plant-based diets tend to be anti-inflammatory due to their abundance of antioxidants and phytonutrients. Chronic inflammation is associated with various chronic diseases, and adopting a diet rich in plant foods can help mitigate inflammation and support overall immune function.
Longevity: Studies suggest that adhering to a plant-based diet may contribute to increased longevity and a lower risk of age-related diseases.
I highly encourage you to take advantage of these last summer days to give this fun recipe a try! If you try this recipe or any other let me know what you think in the comments below.
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