Description
This Ultimate Onion Tart is a rich and savory dish featuring a buttery shortcrust pastry filled with slowly caramelized onions blended with a creamy egg and vegetarian parmesan-style cheese mixture. It’s perfect as a comforting lunch or a flavorful brunch centerpiece, combining a delicate crisp crust with a luscious, soft filling.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 300g shortcrust pastry, thawed if frozen
Filling
- 25g butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 900g onions, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 medium eggs
- 300ml double cream
- 40g vegetarian parmesan-style cheese, grated
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the pastry case: Heat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan)/gas mark 5. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the shortcrust pastry and use it to line a deep 23cm fluted flan tin. Line the pastry with baking paper and fill with baking beans to prevent the base from rising, then blind bake for 15 minutes.
- Cook the onions: While the pastry bakes, heat the butter and olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, cover the pan, and gently fry for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally until the onions are completely softened but still pale, avoiding browning to maintain a delicate flavor.
- Prepare the filling: In a mixing bowl, beat together the eggs and double cream until smooth. Stir in the grated vegetarian parmesan-style cheese and season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Then gently fold the cooked onions into this cream mixture.
- Assemble and bake the tart: Remove the baking beans and parchment paper from the partially baked pastry shell. Spoon the onion and egg-cream filling evenly into the flan case. Return to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the filling is lightly set and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Allow the tart to cool slightly before slicing. This helps the filling set further for neat serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetarian parmesan-style cheese with regular parmesan if not strictly vegetarian.
- For a deeper caramelized flavor, onions can be cooked for longer but watch to prevent browning.
- If short on time, pre-made shortcrust pastry from the store works perfectly.
- This tart pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad and a light vinaigrette.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Savory Tart
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
Keywords: onion tart, savory tart, vegetarian tart, baking, shortcrust pastry, creamy filling
