Alsatian Onion Tart

Recipe Ingredients

		Pastry
3 cups	187g / 6.6oz	Flour
1/2 oz	14g	Yeast
1/2 teaspoon	2.5ml	Sugar
3/4 cup	177ml	Lukewarm water
1/4 cup	59ml	Olive oil
		Salt - to taste
		Filling
2 tablespoons	30ml	Olive oil
10		White onions
1 tablespoon	15ml	Cumin seeds
		Salt - to taste
		Freshly-ground black pepper - to taste
		Assembly
4		Eggs - lightly beaten (large)
1 3/4 cups	414ml	Half-and-half
2 teaspoons	10ml	Sweet paprika
		Salt - to taste
		Freshly-ground white pepper - to taste
1/2 lb	227g / 8oz	Lean bacon - minced

Recipe Instructions

Pastry: Place flour in large, warmed bowl and make well in the center. Combine yeast, sugar and 1/2 cup of warm water in glass measuring cup and stir to slightly dissolve. Set aside to proof, about 10 minutes.

Stir remaining 1/4 cup warm water and olive oil into yeast mixture. Put yeast mixture into well in the center of flour and begin drawing flour into the center, blending until all liquid is absorbed. Add pinch of salt toward end of blending. Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic about 10 minutes. Lightly oil large bowl and place dough in it. Turn dough to coat it with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set it aside to rise in a very warm, moist place.

When dough has doubled in size and appears spongy and dimpled, punch it down, cover with a kitchen towel and start to make filling.

Filling: Peel onions, halve lengthwise and thinly slice. Heat large, heavy skillet over medium-low heat and add olive oil. Add onions and saute covered for 7 to 8 minutes or until translucent. Stir in cumin seeds, salt and black pepper. Set aside to cool.

To assemble tart: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Gently turn dough out onto a large floured surface and roll it into a 20- by 15-inch rectangle. Press dough firmly into bottom and sides of lightly oiled 18- by 13-inch baking sheet with 1-inch sides.

In large bowl, beat together eggs, half-and-half, paprika, salt and white pepper. Distribute onions evenly over base of crust. Gently pour in custard mixture. Scatter bacon evenly over top and bake in hot oven for 30 minutes, or until custard is set in center and bacon is crisp. Cool for at least 10 minutes, then slice into rectangles to serve as appetizers or into small squares to serve as hors d'oeuvres.

Tart should be served warm. If it has cooled, reheat in oven at 325 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. It is traditional to let the bacon cook on top of tart. If you want to cook out some fat, fry it over low heat for a few minutes until lightly golden brown but not crisp. Drain on paper towels and proceed as directed.

Source:
"The Los Angeles Times, 11-11-1998"

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