Freestyle Apple Tarts

Nuts

1. For nuts: Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, beat egg white and water to stiff peaks. Fold in walnut pieces. Sprinkle with sugar, garam masala and the kosher salt. Stir to combine. Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until lightly browned, about 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through baking. Cool on a wire rack.

Caramel

1. For caramel: In a small saucepan, combine dulce de leche and butter. Bring to a boil, whisking until smooth. Add cream and return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes to lightly thicken. Remove from heat. Stir in bourbon and the kosher salt.

Yogurt

1. For yogurt: In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, honey and vanilla bean paste.

Pastry

1. For pastry: Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, unfold pastry. Roll to a roughly 8x16-inch rectangle. (If package has two pastry sheets, stack them before rolling.) Cut into six rectangles. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. In a small bowl, beat together egg yolk and water; brush on pastry. Bake until puffed and golden, about 15 minutes.

Fruit

1. For fruit: In a 12-inch nonreactive skillet, bring juice to a boil. Add apples, pear, sugar and garam masala; stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until apples are very tender and mixture is syrupy, 12 to 15 minutes.

Assembly

1. To assemble: Spoon some yogurt on a plate. Top with a pastry rectangle, fruit, caramel and nuts.

*What is garam masala?

Garam masala is a common Indian spice blend. If you can't find it, use a big pinch cinnamon, plus a pinch each ground cloves, black pepper, cumin, coriander and nutmeg.

**What is vanilla bean paste?

Vanilla bean paste is an easy way to get vanilla flecks without the hassle or expense of scraping seeds from a vanilla bean. Look for it in specialty stores or online; Nielsen-Massey is a good brand.

***What is all-butter puff pastry?

All-butter puff pastry is extra flavorful and has fewer additives. Look for Dufour brand at Whole Foods. Trader Joe's sells a more affordable version, but only in the fall and holiday baking season.