Provence’s Version of Pizza – Pissaladière
David Scott Allen · Lunchtime Meals · Provencal Recipes · TasteThis traditional recipe from Provence combines onions that have been cooked for so long they are almost melting, anchovies and olives add design flair and a slightly salty edge to this pizza-like dish. Pissaladière is often served as a snack with an apéro (think chilled rosé) or as a light meal with a green salad. The recipe (below) comes from David Scott Allen’s article Life Through Rosé-filled Glasses. Take a look at his photos. They are mouth-watering.
Pissaladière Provencal
This recipe was created by David, it is a blend of several variations for the same dish. This version will serve 6 as a main course or 12 as an appetizer.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 1/2 pounds yellow onions peeled, halved and sliced
- 2 tsp demerara sugar (raw sugar)
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed*
- 20-24 anchovy fillets packed in oil, drained
- 10-15 Moroccan oil-cured olives halved and pitted
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 tsp fresh thyme chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onions and Demerara sugar and sauté, stirring frequently, until the onions become tender and start to turn golden.
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and thyme and mix well. (Do not be tempted to add additional salt - both the anchovies and the olives bring plenty of salt to the recipe.)
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
- Cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are wilted, very soft, and are well caramelized throughout.
- Add the vinegar during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Remove the onions from the oven and set them aside while preparing the pastry for the pissaladière. Let them come to room temperature. **
- Raise the oven temperature to 425°F.
- Roll out the pastry to 13-inch x 19-inch rectangle.
- Place the pastry onto a 12-inch by 18-inch baking sheet, folding the edges of the pastry over about 1/2-inch to create a raised border.
- Spread the pastry with the onion confit up to the doubled edges.
- Arrange the anchovy filets in a harlequin (diamond) patter and place 1 pitted half-olive in the middle of each diamond.
- Bake it for 15 to 18 minutes, until the pastry has puffed up, turned golden, and crisped.
- Remove the pissaladière from the oven and sprinkle the olive oil and fresh thyme across the hot surface of the tart.
- Cut it into rectangles and serve very warm or at room temperature.
Notes
*If you would like to make your own crust click here for a quick puff pastry recipe from Vintage Kitchen.**The onions can be made ahead to this point 2 days in advance.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
From Nice: Chateau de Cremat and Chateau Ste Roseline Wine Tour
Venture into the scenic vineyards of Nice on a delightful 6.5-hour tour that showcases the art of winemaking and culinary delights. Start at the stunning Château de Cremat, nestled in the hills, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour and sample exquisite wines. Next, visit the historic Château Sainte-Roseline, where you can explore its beautiful estate and taste renowned crus.
Book this ExperienceLegal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Previous Post
Best Markets in Provence: Part 1 ProvençalRelated Provence Articles
The Joys of Our First Olive Harvest in Provence
February 22, 2022
We love our little house and the garden we’ve made here. I have a fig tree, a little cherry tree and even an apricot sapling, all in large tubs on the terrace, but the one thing that we don’t have is an olive tree. We planted one many years ago in the UK when I …
French Onion Soup Recipe a Bistro Classic
January 14, 2022
Imagine a steaming bowl of French onion soup (soupe à l’oignon) with a cheesy gratin topping in a lively Parisian bistro. Today the dish is almost synonymous with the French capital, but it is entirely possible to find this soup on a menu in Provence during the colder winter months. Traditionally made with a beef …
Provencal Staples Goat Cheese and Olives
August 13, 2019
Goat Cheese and Olives The Provencal diet is a Mediterranean one that relies heavily on local produce, seafood, cheese, olives and olive oil. In Provence, locals eat “de saison” focusing on what is in season and fresh at the market. A visitor to the area should certainly try some- if not all – of the …
Olive Tapenade Crusted Cod and Rosé Braised Fennel
August 26, 2020
This recipe combines the best flavours of Provence in one dish – seafood, olives, fennel, and rosé. The very talented Gemma Wade crafted these ingredients into a delicious and almost-too-beautiful-to-eat Olive Tapenade Crusted Cod with Fennel Braised in Rosé. This dish was part of an Easter lunch menu that Gemma created for the Mirabeau Team, …
No Comment