Mediterranean Onion Tart Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN UPSIDE DOWN TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190°C.
• Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan and gently sauté the onion, mushrooms, eggplant, zucchini, capsicums, garlic and seasonings until softish, stirring occasionally.
• Place the tomatoes, olives, feta, basil and sautéed veggies into a bowl and toss well, then transfer the mixture to an ovenproof dish.
• Cut a pastry sheet to fit the dish and place it on top of the vegetables. Tuck in the edges and cook in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the pastry is golden and has risen slightly .
• Allow the tart to cool a little and then invert it onto a large serving platter, so that the pastry is now on the bottom.
• Serve warm or at room temperature as a main dish for brunch or lunch or as a side dish served with other Mediterranean dishes, in which case it would serve more than 4.

PISSALADIERE (PROVENCAL ONION TART)

Steps:

• In workbowl of food processor fitted with plastic dough blade (can use metal blade if necessary), pulse flour, yeast, and salt to combine, about five 1 second pulses. With machine running, slowly add oil, then water, through feed tube; continue to process until dough forms ball, about 15 seconds.
• Generously dust work surface with flour. Using floured hands, transfer dough to work surface and knead lightly, shaping dough into ball.
• Lightly oil 1 quart measuring cup or small bowl, place dough in measuring cup, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and set aside in draft-free spot until doubled in volume, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• While dough is rising, heat oil in 12 inch nonstick skillet over high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Stir in onions, garlic, salt, and brown sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until moisture released by onions has evaporated and onions begin to brown, about 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently. After 15 minutes, remove garlic cloves, mince them and then return them to the pan, along with the balsamic vinegar. Stir and continue cooking for 5 more minutes, until onions have softened and are medium to golden brown. Off heat, stir in water; transfer to bowl and set aside.
• When dough has doubled, adjust oven rack to lowest position, set baking stone on rack, and heat oven to 500°F.
• Remove dough from measuring cup and divide into 2 equal pieces using dough scraper. Working with one piece at a time, form each piece into rough ball by gently pulling edges of dough together and pinching to seal. With floured hands, turn dough ball seam-side down. Cupping dough with both hands, gently push dough in circular motion to form taut ball. Repeat with second piece.
• Brush each lightly with oil, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cut two 20 inch lengths parchment paper and set aside.
• Coat fingers and palms of hands generously with oil. Using dough scraper, loosen 1 piece of dough from work surface. With well-oiled hands, hold dough aloft and gently stretch to 12-inch length (like a very large breadstick). Place on parchment sheet and gently dimple surface of dough with fingertips. Using oiled palms, push and flatten dough into 14x8 inch oval.
• Brush dough with oil and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Leaving 1/2 inch border around edge, sprinkle 1/4 cup olives, 1 tablespoon chopped anchovies, and 1 teaspoon thyme evenly over dough, then evenly scatter with half of onions. Sprinkle with fennel seeds and marjoram, if using.
• Slip parchment with tart onto pizza peel (or inverted rimless baking sheet), then slide onto hot baking stone. Bake until deep golden brown, 13 to 15 minutes. While first tart bakes, shape and top second tart.
• Remove tart from oven with peel or pull parchment onto baking sheet; transfer tart to cutting board and slide parchment out from under tart. Cool 5 minutes; sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons parsley, if using. Cut tart in half lengthwise, then cut crosswise to form 8 pieces; serve immediately. While first tart cools, bake second tart.

MEDITERRANEAN ONION TART

Steps:

• Thaw bread dough as directed on package. Lightly grease cookie sheet.
• Heat oil in 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Stir in onions; reduce heat to low. Cover and cook about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are very tender. Stir in basil and white pepper.
• Flatten dough into rectangle on lightly floured surface. Roll dough with floured rolling pin into 14x11-inch rectangle. Place on cookie sheet; let stand 15 minutes.
• Spoon onion mixture evenly over dough to within 1 inch of edges. Arrange anchovies in lattice pattern on onions. Top with olives. Let stand 15 minutes.
• Heat oven to 425°F. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown.