Pissaladiere (Provencal Onion Tart)

Submitted by Member 610488

"The Provencal pissaladiere is an oven-baked (pizza-like) focaccia or torta topped with caramelized onions, black Nicoise olives, and anchovies. A street food of Nice, it is often sold by street vendors or at local markets. It can also be served as an appetizer. It is believed to have been introduced to the area by Roman cooks during the time of the Avignon Papacy. The dough in this recipe rises for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. If a longer or overnight rise is more convenient, make the dough with 1/2 teaspoon of instant yeast and let it rise in the refrigerator for 16 to 24 hours. The caramelized onions can also be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Recipe requires use of a baking stone."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 15mins
• Ingredients: 19
• Yields: 2 tarts

ingredients

• Dough

• 473.18 ml bread flour, plus extra for dusting work surface
• 4.92 ml instant yeast
• 4.92 ml table salt
• 14.79 ml olive oil, plus additional oil for brushing dough and greasing hands
• 236.59 ml water, warm (about 110F)

• Onions

• 29.58 ml olive oil
• 907.18 g yellow onions, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2.46 ml table salt
• 4.92 ml brown sugar
• 9.85 ml balsamic vinegar
• 14.79 ml water

• Toppings

• 2.46 ml ground black pepper
• 118.29 ml nicoise olive, pitted, chopped coarse
• 8 anchovy fillets, rinsed, patted dry, chopped coarse
• 9.85 ml fresh thyme leaves, minced
• 14.79 ml marjoram leaves, minced (optional)
• 4.92 ml fennel seed (optional)
• 14.79 ml fresh parsley leaves, minced (optional)

directions

1. 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.
2. Generously dust work surface with flour. Using floured hands, transfer dough to work surface and knead lightly, shaping dough into ball.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. When dough has doubled, adjust oven rack to lowest position, set baking stone on rack, and heat oven to 500°F.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.

Reviews

[DianaEatingRichly]

This was SO tasty. I love olives and anchovies, so this was perfect for me. I used whole wheat pizza dough from the store to save time.

 

[Bonnie G #2]

OMG what a great appy. A wonderful blend of flavors, specially that slightly sweet taste of the glazed onions. These all disappeard off the plate before I could even take a photo of the sliced pieces. The only thing I did differant was cut the recipe in half for my small family but I'll not do that again - may even have to double it. Then left off the anchovies as can't stand those little slimy guys. But other than that wouldn't change a thing and to add to the positives it was so easy to make. Can't wait till I have company again so I can show off with these little gems.