Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Breakfast Tart with Tomato Balsamic Jam
This delightful breakfast tart combines a rich, buttery crust with layers of caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and nutty Gruyere cheese, all enveloped in a creamy egg custard. Topped with a luscious homemade tomato balsamic jam, this savory tart is perfect for brunch or a special breakfast treat. Serve it warm or at room temperature, and don’t forget to add a sprinkle of fresh arugula for a touch of color and peppery flavor.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
1.5 cups (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
butter
8 tablespoons (chilled, cut into pieces)
ice water
4 tablespoons (none)
gruyere cheese
1/4 lb (grated)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
yellow onion
1 large (diced)
bacon bits
1/4 cup (none)
egg yolks
2 (none)
egg
1 (none)
heavy cream
1 cup (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (none)
red onion
1 large (diced)
garlic clove
1 (minced)
Granny Smith apples
1/2 cup (coarsely grated)
crushed tomatoes
28 ounces (none)
balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
To make the crust, cut the chilled butter into 1/4-inch pieces and combine with flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then gradually add ice water until the dough holds together loosely.
3
Shape the dough into a disc about 5 inches wide and wrap it in cling wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
4
After chilling, press the dough into a 9-inch tart pan using the 'lift and pinch' method to form an even crust. Poke the base of the crust 3-4 times with a fork. Line with parchment paper or aluminum foil and fill with baking beads or rice.
5
Bake the crust for 15 minutes, remove the parchment and weights, then return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until lightly golden. Remove and let cool.
6
For the filling, dice the yellow onion and sauté it in olive oil over medium heat until caramelized. Set aside.
7
Once the crust has cooled, sprinkle grated Gruyere cheese evenly on the bottom, followed by the bacon bits.
8
Gently layer the caramelized onions over the bacon. In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, whole egg, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg until smooth. Carefully pour this mixture into the tart crust, filling it up to just below the edge.
9
Sprinkle a layer of grated Parmesan over the top and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the filling is set and lightly golden.
10
While the tart is baking, prepare the tomato balsamic jam. Dice the red onion and garlic, and use a box grater to coarsely grate the Granny Smith apple. In a large saucepan, sauté the onions and garlic until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
11
Stir in the grated apple, crushed tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens to a jam-like consistency.
12
Once the tart is finished baking and has cooled slightly, spread a thin layer of the tomato balsamic jam around the edge of the tart. Optionally, garnish with fresh arugula before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Breakfast Tart?
It is a savory breakfast dish featuring a buttery crust, caramelized onions, bacon, Gruyere cheese, and a creamy custard, topped with a homemade tomato balsamic jam.
What ingredients are needed for the tart crust?
The crust requires 1.5 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 8 tablespoons of chilled butter, and 4 tablespoons of ice water.
How do I prepare the dough for the crust?
Cut chilled butter into flour and salt until it resembles coarse crumbs, then gradually add ice water until the dough holds together.
How long should the tart dough be chilled?
The dough should be shaped into a disc and chilled in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
What is the 'lift and pinch' method mentioned in the recipe?
It is a technique used to press the dough into a 9-inch tart pan to ensure an even crust thickness.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How long do I blind bake the crust?
Bake the crust with weights for 15 minutes, then remove weights and bake for an additional 5 minutes until golden.
What can I use as weights for the tart crust?
You can use baking beads or uncooked rice over a layer of parchment paper or aluminum foil.
How are the onions prepared for the filling?
Diced yellow onion is sautéed in olive oil over medium heat until fully caramelized.
What type of cheese is used in this tart?
The recipe uses 1/4 lb of grated Gruyere cheese for the base and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan for the top.
What ingredients make up the egg custard?
The custard is a whisked mixture of 2 egg yolks, 1 whole egg, 1 cup of heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg.
Does this recipe include meat?
Yes, it includes 1/4 cup of bacon bits layered inside the tart filling.
How long does the filled tart need to bake?
The tart should bake for 20-25 minutes until the filling is set and lightly golden.
What are the main components of the tomato balsamic jam?
The jam is made from red onion, garlic, grated Granny Smith apple, crushed tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar.
How is the Granny Smith apple prepared for the jam?
The apple should be coarsely grated using a box grater.
How long does the tomato balsamic jam need to simmer?
It needs to simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes until it reaches a thick, jam-like consistency.
When should the tomato jam be added to the tart?
Spread a thin layer of the jam around the edge of the tart once it has finished baking and cooled slightly.
Is there a recommended garnish for the tart?
Yes, a sprinkle of fresh arugula is recommended for a touch of color and peppery flavor.
Can this tart be served at room temperature?
Yes, it is designed to be served either warm or at room temperature.
How many onions are used in total for this recipe?
Two large onions are used: one yellow onion for the tart filling and one red onion for the jam.
What type of vinegar is required for the tomato jam?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar.
What size tart pan is used?
The recipe is designed for a 9-inch tart pan.
How much heavy cream is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of heavy cream for the egg custard.
Does the recipe use whole eggs or just yolks?
It uses a combination of 2 egg yolks and 1 whole egg.
How much nutmeg is in the filling?
The filling contains 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg.
How much crushed tomato is used for the jam?
The jam requires one 28-ounce container of crushed tomatoes.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe consists of 21 individual ingredients.
Is the butter for the crust softened or cold?
The butter must be chilled and cut into 1/4-inch pieces.
Can this be served for brunch?
Yes, it is specifically described as being perfect for brunch or a special breakfast treat.
What are the common tags for this recipe?
Common tags include breakfast, brunch, savory tart, caramelized onion, Gruyere, bacon, tomato jam, and comfort food.