Cauliflower and Caramelized Onion Tart

Cauliflower and Caramelized Onion Tart

While we're in Florida we will be having friends visit us who live about 6 hours away. My friend and I go way back to when we were both about seventeen. I met her while I was working at my first job after graduating HS. We were inseparable until she got married and then we entered into the adult world. Before that, ours were summers of staying out till the wee hours of the morning, dancing and having fun. Sometimes we would meet all our friends at a diner, eat french fries and gravy and then head down to the Jersey Shore, where we would sleep on the beach after we ate some breakfast. We didn't drink so driving home wasn't a problem. However, her being Dutch Reform was.  Her father would sometimes lock the doors to their house to teach her a lesson.  She would then do her pleading and of course he would let us in. I know we'll be spending a lot of time this weekend laughing and reminiscing. We will be eating some meals out, but I so enjoy staying in and having dinner at the house. It's just such a relaxing way to spend an evening...a little wine, good food and great company!

One of the things I plan on serving is Cauliflower and Caramelized Onion Tart. I can make all the components the day before I plan on serving it. Make the crust and leave it a room temp covered overnight. Cook up the cauliflower and onions and refrigerate them separately until ready to assemble. That way it will only take a few minutes to put together and pop it into the oven. This will make a lovely lunch on the back porch. This cauliflower tart is such a favorite of mine. It is so delicious and everyone always asks for the recipe.  I clipped it from Bon Appetit magazine several years ago and still refer back to it quite often. One of my go to recipes!

Roasted cauliflower

Onions cooking

Mustard spread over bottom of crust

Crust with onion and cauliflower added

Love this tart....smells better then it looks

This is so delicious...the caramelized onion add an extra layer of flavor

Cauliflower and Caramelized Onion Tart
from Bon Appetit

Ingredients

1 small head of cauliflower (about 1 pound), cored, cut into 1-inch florets
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon truffle oil*

1 refrigerated pie crust (I usually make my own)

1 large onion, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 large eggs
1 (7- to 8-ounce) container mascarpone cheese (Italian cream cheese)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
Pinch of ground nutmeg
1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese


Preparation

Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 425°F. Toss cauliflower with 1 tablespoon olive oil in large bowl. Spread on large rimmed baking sheet, spacing apart. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast 15 minutes; turn florets over. Continue roasting until tender, about 25 minutes longer. Cool cauliflower, then thinly slice. Drizzle with truffle oil; toss. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.

Press pie crust onto bottom and up sides of 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Line pie crust with foil; fill with pie weights. Bake crust 20 minutes. Remove foil and pie weights; bake until crust is golden, about 5 minutes, pressing crust with back of fork if bubbles form. Cool crust. Maintain oven temperature.

Heat remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until onion is deep golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes. Cool slightly. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Store crust at room temperature. Cover and chill cauliflower and onion separately.

Brush bottom and sides of crust with mustard. Spread onion in crust. Arrange cauliflower evenly over. Set tart on rimmed baking sheet. Whisk eggs and next 4 ingredients in medium bowl. Stir in Gruyère. Pour mixture over filling in tart pan; sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until tart is golden and center is set, about 40 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool 15 minutes before serving.