Tarte Flambé (Alsatian Bacon and Onion Tart)

In this French-German version of pizza, Chef John uses bacon, onion, and a creamy cheese mixture as toppings for these savory tarts.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 657 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 large yellow onion, sliced
• 12 ounces sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
• 4 (5 ounce) balls prepared pizza dough
• 1 cup fromage blanc (French-style fresh cheese)
• 0.25 cup creme fraiche

Recipe Instructions

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 3

Mix fromage blanc, crème fraîche, nutmeg, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a mixing bowl.

Step 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.

Step 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.