Schwabischer Zwiebelkuchen

When I lived in Germany I really loved this time of year when the Zwiebelkuchen was made. An onion pie that is a seasonal dish. Usually during the New Wine Seasons; Early Spring and the Fall. Since Fall is my favorite time of the year,I think of it as a Fall Food. Having a piece with a glass of new wine is a joy.
My recipe id made to sever a large group of people. Therefore I make it in the 11x15 inch jelly roll pan. This is not a quick cook dish. The time from start to finish is about 2 hours. However it is worth it this time a year. After all it's a Seasonal dish.

Schwabischer Zwiebelkuchen

The Crust.
2 packages of yeast
10(oz) skim milk
1/8 teaspoon Sugar
2 Tablespoon Flour

• mix together and place in a warm place for 20 minutes.

The fillings:

Onion filling:
10 medium size onions.
10 oz Hickory smoked think sliced Bacon
1 Tablespoon Caraway Seeds.

• Slice the onions thin- I use a mandolin. You want the onion to be in thin rings.
• Place the onions in a large bowl add Caraway seed and toss.
  

• Dice the Raw Bacon.

In a large skillet placed on Medium high heat add the bacon cook for about 2 minutes.
Add the onion mixture on the top of bacon cook for about 2 minutes more. Then stir from bottom to top frequently until the onion are transparent in color. Set aside.

Quark filling:
16 oz of Quark (German style cheese)**
4 eggs
1/8 teaspoon white pepper

• Mix together and refrigerate

Line a middle placed oven rack with Foil and preheat to 435 degrees Fahrenheit(225 Celsius).

The Crust-- Continued:

3 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon salt

• sift together

• Cut in 4 Tablespoon Unsalted butter.
• Add the yeast mixture and mix. form a soft ball
• rolling out on floured surface to 11x15 inch rectangle

Melt about 2 tablespoon of unsalted butter.

• brush 11x15 jelly roll pan bottom and side with half of the melted butter.

• Place the floured side dough in the prepared pan

• sprinkle some flour on the top and with small roller, roll out the go up the sides of the pan.( I use my double wood roller from my gadgets)
• Brush the whole dough with remaining butter.

Add the Onion filling and spread evenly.
Add the Quark filling on top and lightly spread evenly.

Place on the foiled lined oven rack and bake for 40 minutes.

• At the 20 minute point, shield the edges with the foil. Just pull the foil around the edges and cover to prevent crust from browning anymore.

• continue cooking until the top is lightly browned.

This will serve about 24 people. I like it warm.

** you can use Creme Fraiche in place of the Quark




copyright 2009"Auntie E's CookBook/M Dubros"