Tarte Flambée "Flammkuchen"

Hello Whimsical Readers,

F~ Christmas is within the week!! I'm so excited, I have my christmas tree all decorated but somehow I still canoot get them to look like the ones you see in the movies. (oh well, i tried) Moving into the kitchen, I am busying myself with sweets and christmas biscuits since I am on holiday so I have the time. =D

Today's recipe will be something very simple because I am somewhat tied up with the holidays, so I will show you how to make a Tarte Flambée. I learnt the german name "Flammkuchen" before I did the english name so from what I understand from a Tarte Flambée is that it is not a tart and definitely not a flambée-ed with fire. Haha! It is actually something very similar to a pizza, you could say it is a healthier version (at least to me) because it uses quark or yogurt and sour cream instead of a tomato base and cheese toppings.

A Tarte Flambée is a Alsatian (located in Northeast France in the Region Alsace) dish. The most traditional recipe consist of onions and cubes of port fat with only sour cream as a base. However today, you can more of less create any combination you like. So I have 2 recipes; the traditional recipe #1 and my recipe #2. Unfortunately, I have only one picture to show you.

My Tarte Flambée/ Flammkuchen (german name)

Dough Ingredients: Or buy the ready-to-bake dough
380 grams Flour
150 ml Water
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 1/2 Tbsp Salt
Pepper (to taste)
Rolling Pin

Method:
1. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients for the Dough. Be sure to mix it well.

2. Then, divide the Dough into smaller portion (you can choose to already portion them out into the number of  servings).

3. Taking the Rolling Pin, roll and flatten the Dough until it is quite thin. And Carefully place the Dough onto the Baking Tray and leave it aside.

#1 Traditional Recipe
Ingredients: Serves 6
1 1/2 Onion (halved and thinely sliced)
300 grams Bacon cubes
150 ml Sour Cream
Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Method:

1. Putting the Dough aside, preheat the oven to 230° Celsius (446 F).

2. In a heated Pan/ Wok, stir-fry the Onions followed by Bacon cubes. Once they are cooked, leave them aside.

3. Spread the Sour Cream onto the Dough using a spoon. Sprinkle some Salt & Pepper and herbs of your choice. (e.g Oregano, Basil) Then, spread a generous amount of the ingredients onto the Dough

4. Put the Dough into the oven for 12-15 minutes.

5. Take out and slice into smaller pieces if preferred (a pizza cuter is very handy here) and serve!

#2 F~'s Recipe
Ingredients: Serves 6
1 Onion (halved and thinely sliced)
200-250 grams Bacon cubes
1 medium to large Pepperoni/ Bell Pepper (small cubes)
100 grams Mushroom (preferably fresh, not canned. small cubes)
130 grams Quark/ 1 Plain Yogurt
2 Tbsp Sour Cream
Paprika Powder (to taste)
Oregano (to taste)
Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Method:

1. Putting the Dough aside, preheat the oven to 230° Celsius (446 F).

2. In a heated Pan/ Wok, stir-fry the Onions and Mushroom, followed by Pepperoni and lastly Bacon cubes.

3. Once they are cooked, leave them aside.

4. In a bowl, mix the Quark/ Plain Yogurt and the Sour Cream, before adding in the Salt & Pepper, Paprika powder and Oregano. (Tip: 2:1 Quark/ Plain Yogurt to Sour Cream, I find it slightly too sour for my liking otherwise)

5. Spread the Quark Mixture onto the Dough before adding the ingredients.

6. 4. Put the Dough into the oven for 12-15 minutes.

7. Take out and slice into smaller pieces if preferred (a pizza cuter is very handy here) and serve!

This recipe also makes a very good party food! Its easy and they don't cost a bomb, plus they're healthier than Pizzas so no Calorie-Worries! Enjoy!!

Yours Truly,

The Whimsical Buddies