Tarte Flambée (Alsatian Bacon and Onion Tart)
Description
In this French-German version of pizza, Chef John uses bacon, onion, and a creamy cheese mixture as toppings for these savory tarts.
Ingredients
•
12 ounces sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
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4 (5 ounce) balls prepared pizza dough
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1 large yellow onion, sliced
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1 cup fromage blanc (French-style fresh cheese)
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1/4 cup creme fraiche
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1 pinch ground nutmeg
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salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
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1 pinch cayenne pepper
Directions
1
Place bacon in a skillet and cook over medium-high heat until cooked but not crisp and fat has rendered out, about 8 minutes. Drain in a strainer; reserve fat.
2
Place skillet back over medium heat. Add sliced onions. Cook briefly just until they lose their raw edge and soften up slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Add a teaspoon or 2 of bacon fat if the pan seems too dry. Remove the skillet from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
3
Mix fromage blanc, crème fraîche, nutmeg, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a mixing bowl.
4
Place 1 ball of pizza dough on a well-floured surface. Flatten and roll out to a 10- or 12-inch thin circle. Transfer to a cold cast iron pan. Heat over medium-high heat to precook the bottom of crust. As dough heats and bubbles appear, deflate them with the tines of a fork, so crust ends up thin and crisp (not chewy). When bottom is nicely browned and just about to start getting charred, 5 to 7 minutes, remove from heat. Repeat with remaining dough.
5
Spread a generous amount of cheese mixture over crust. Top evenly with some onions and bacon. Broil 5 or 6 minutes until edges are browned and starting to lift. Repeat for remaining tartes.