Onion Tart with Mustard and Fennel

ingredients

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (a 1 1/2 teaspoons package)
• 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
• 3 pounds yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

directions

Stir together yeast and warm water in a small bowl and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. (If mixture doesn't foam, start over with new yeast.)

Put 1 1/2 cups flour in a medium bowl, then make a well in center of flour and add yeast mixture to well. Stir together egg, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt with a fork. Add egg mixture to yeast mixture and mix with a wooden spoon or your fingertips, gradually incorporating flour, until a soft dough forms. Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead, working in additional flour (up to 1/4 cup) as necessary, until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Transfer dough to an oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled, 1 hours.

While dough rises, heat remaining 1/3 cup oil in a 12 inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then sauté, fennel seeds until a shade darker, about 30 seconds. Stir in onions, remaining teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, then reduce heat to medium-low and cover onions directly with a round of parchment paper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are very tender and golden brown, 1 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees with rack in middle.

Knead dough gently on a floured surface with floured hands to deflate. Pat out dough on a large heavy baking sheet (preferably blue steel) into a 15- by 12 inch rectangle, turning up or crimping edge, then brush mustard evenly over dough, leaving a 0.5 inch border around edge. Spread onions evenly over mustard, then sprinkle evenly with cheese.

Bake tart until crust is golden brown, 33 minutes. Cut into 2 inch squares or diamonds and serve warm or at room temperature.

Cooks' note: Onion mixture can be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered.