Vidalia Onion Tart With Bacon Local Honey And Fresh Thyme Recipes

SMOKED BACON WRAPPED FRENCH VIDALIA ONION

Steps:

• 1. Peel and cut about 1/2" of the onion tops. Trim off a small amount of the bottom of onions so they stand upright.
• 2. With a spoon, scoop out a few of the inner layers of the onion leaving the majority of the outer layers.
• 3. Brush onions with olive oil.
• 4. Liberally sprinkle seasoning over each onion.
• 5. Wrap bacon slices around each onion; secure with a toothpick.
• 6. Prep smoker to 250 degrees F.
• 7. Combine basting sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl.
• 8. Put 2 tablespoons of sauce in the center of each onion.
• 9. Smoke for 2 hours.
• 10. Baste every 30 minutes.
• 11. The last 5-10 minutes, place cheese inside and around onions allowing melting.
• 12. Garnish with parsley.

BAKED VIDALIA ONIONS

Steps:

• Quarter onions halfway through and open slightly. Place each on a 18x12-in. piece of heavy-duty foil. Place 2 teaspoons butter in center of each onion; sprinkle with salt, pepper and, if desired, garlic salt. Fold foil to seal tightly. Bake at 350° until onions are tender, 50-60 minutes. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape.

BACON, ONION AND CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.
• In a medium saute pan, cook the bacon over a medium-low heat until it begins to render, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the onions and cook until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Season with pepper. Set aside to let cool. Add the thyme to the cooled bacon-onion mixture.
• In a bowl, combine the farmer's cheese, creme fraiche, egg yolk and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
• Flour a flat surface and place the puff pastry on top. Flour the top and gently roll into a 13-by-18-inch rectangle. Cut the pastry in half and transfer each to a lined sheet pan. Using a fork, dock the puff pastry (pierce it slightly with the tines), leaving a 1-inch border untouched.
• Divide the cheese mixture between the two sheets of pastry and spread evenly on the docked area. Top each tart with half of the bacon-onion mixture.
• Place the tarts in the oven on the lower racks and bake, rotating halfway through, until the crusts are dark golden, about 25 minutes. Garnish with the pecorino and chives.

FRENCH ONION TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• On a work surface, roll the puff pastry into a roughly 10 by 16-inch rectangle. With a sharp knife, trim uneven edges to make a perfect rectangle. Evenly cut off the outer 1 inch of each side of the rectangle in strips; put the puff sheet on the baking sheet. Dip your finger in water and run around the top edges of the rectangle and replace the removed strips of pastry along the edges of the sheet, pressing lightly to adhere. With a fork, pierce the interior of the tart shell to prevent rising; do not pierce the adhered edges. Bake until the outer edges have puffed and are golden in color; about 15 minutes. Set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and thyme sprigs and season well with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions begin to brown. Add the stock, a tablespoon at a time, as the pan gets dry, scraping and stirring the brown bits that are stuck to the bottom oft the pan. When the onions are caramelized to a dark golden color, remove from the heat and discard the leafless thyme sprigs (the leaves fall off while cooking).
• When ready to serve, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Evenly spread the caramelized onions on the cooked pastry shell and heat in the oven until warmed through, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven, to a cutting board and cut into wedges. Arrange on a serving platter and garnish each wedge with a sprig of fresh thyme. Serve immediately and enjoy!

VIDALIA ONION TARTE TATIN

Steps:

• Melt butter in a 10-inch nonstick skillet with an ovenproof handle; sprinkle with sugar, and remove from heat.
• Cut 6 of the onions in half crosswise, and fit them snugly into the pan, cut sides down. (Cut more onions if necessary to cover pan.) Cut leeks into lengths about the same height as the onion halves, and fit them into spaces near center of the pan. Sprinkle with half the thyme leaves; add salt and pepper to taste.
• Slice remaining onions 1/4 inch thick, and arrange over onion halves. Sprinkle with remaining thyme; season with salt and pepper.
• Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, or until onions are a deep golden brown on the cut side. Shake pan gently from time to time and rotate its position on the burner to ensure even browning.
• Pour stock and vinegar over onions; bring to a simmer, cover, and cook over low heat for 25 minutes, or until onions are very tender. Remove lid, raise heat, and cook until liquid is syrupy and almost completely reduced. Remove from heat; let cool slightly.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry 3/8 inch thick to a diameter slightly larger than pan. Wrap dough around rolling pin; unroll over pan. Tuck in excess.
• Place pan in oven, and bake until pastry is golden brown and juices are bubbling, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. Serve warm, garnished with fresh thyme.

ONION TART WITH BACON OR OLIVES

Steps:

• For the dough: In a mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm water. Stir in 1/4 cup flour and let the mixture get bubbly, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add the kosher salt, butter or oil and remaining flour and mix to form a rough ball. Knead the dough (with hands or stand mixer) for about 5 minutes. Let rise, covered with a damp towel or plastic wrap, until doubled in size, about 1 hour. (Or refrigerate in a zippered plastic bag and let rise several hours or overnight.)
• For the topping: Heat 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil in large skillet over medium-high burner. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Stir in the caraway seeds (for the bacon version) or the garlic and thyme (for the olive version). Let cool to room temperature. Put the bacon, if using, in a small pan and cover with 1 inch water. Simmer for 2 minutes, then drain and cool.
• Set oven to 375 degrees. Punch down the dough and knead into a smooth ball, then let it relax for a few minutes. Roll to a circle about 12 inches in diameter. Transfer to a 12- by 17-inch baking sheet lined with parchment. Stretch the dough to an elongated oval shape about 11 inches by 15 inches.
• Mix the ricotta (or goat cheese) with half the creme fraiche and dab spoonfuls of the mixture evenly over the dough. Spread the cooked onions over the dough, leaving a half-inch border. Top with the reserved bacon (or olives), scattered evenly. Drizzle the tart with the remaining creme fraiche.
• Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, turning the baking sheet if necessary, until well browned. Cool on a rack for a few minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.