Alsatian Tart, Ravine’s Wine Cellars
(From Keuka Lake Food and Wine Tour Event: REVIEWED BELOW)
Alsatian Tart, Ravine’s Wine Cellars
The pastry is a lazy girl’s version of Julia Child’s butter pastry recipe
Crust:
1 and ¾ sticks unsalted butter, diced and frozen
2 cups flour
1 t salt
½ cup ice water (more if needed)
Mix flour & salt in a food processor, add frozen butter and pulse 3 times. Add ice water and turn on processor for approx. 7 seconds or when dough comes together as a clump on the blade. Remove and separate into 2 flat balls, working quickly so butter stays cold. Refrigerate for at least one hour before rolling.
Work quickly when rolling out the pastry so the butter stays cold and then put it back into the fridge until you are ready to fill it.
Filling:
3 cups chopped sweet onion
½ pound bacon, diced* see note
2 eggs
½ cup cream
½ cup Swiss or gruyere cheese* see note
3 sprigs fresh thyme ( leaves only)
Salt and pepper to taste
Sauté onion until brown and sweet, season with s & p. and sauté bacon until crisp. Let both cool and then sprinkle at the bottom of a tart pan. Add grated cheese & thyme. Lastly, spoon on mixture of egg & cream seasoned with salt, pepper and thyme leaves. Put into the oven immediately so the pastry stays cold until it hits the hot oven. Bake at 450 degrees for appx. 20 mins. It pairs nicely with Ravines Dry Riesling. Lisa Hallgren, Ravines Wine CellarsCelia’s notes:
- I used 6 slices of apple smoked bacon which I first cooked in strips, drained on a paper towel, and then cut into pieces.
- I used a fondue mix of gruyere and ementhaller which was already shredded.
- I used a 9 inch removable rim tart pan and added ¼ cup of 1/ & ½ and some extra cheese to adequately fill the tart. You will have extra dough.
- To make sure the bottom crust is cooked, place the pan on the bottom rack of the oven.
- This tart is good, reheated the next day also.
CHECK OUT THE WORLD TOUR OF FOOD AND WINE EVENT A
ON THE KEUKA WINE TRAIL
Keuka Lake wineries are hosting a special “World Tour of Food and Wine” event for two weekends. Last weekend we enjoyed the first round of this event and it was a great success. If you missed it, you can still enjoy the same tour on the weekend of April 19th and 20th. Nine wineries participate in this event and many have exceptional views of Keuka Lake which is probably the most picturesque of the winery lakes.
Some of my favorite local wines are produced at these wineries so I was very happy to spend the day tasting and sampling the wines and special foods prepared at each winery. Ravines was our first stop and should be a “must visit” for everyone embarking on this tour. Their Chardonnay is exceptional with a depth and lingering finish not often seen in Chardonnays. Their Dry Riesling is also a good example of the high quality Rieslings being produced in the Finger Lakes. Winemaker/owner Morten Hallgren, was educated on his family’s Centuries-old vineyard in the South of France and received his degree at Europe’s premier winemaking school. He combines Old World winemaking techniques
with American innovation to craft small batches of dry, elegant and balanced wines from 100% Finger Lakes grapes. His wife Lisa prepared a rich and delicious Alsatian Tart for the event and kindly agreed to share the recipe. We also came away with a bottle of their Cerise, a blend of Pinot Noir and Lemburger grapes which was well balanced with aromas of cherry and raspberry.
Other highlights included McGregor Winery where we were seated at tables in their tasting room where we were served an excellent selection of Greek food while we gazed out at the stunning view of the Lake. The stand out wine here, and one that they include in the tasting selection is the Black Russian Red (blend of Saperavi & Sereksiya Charni). At almost $60 a bottle they really are most generous to give us all tastings. But the McGregors are proud of this wine as they should be. It is very smooth, and full with a long finish. This is a really high class wine with a character and depth worthy of the best meal. It is worth taking this tour if only to have a taste of the Black Russian Red.
My favorite Vignole is the Hunt Country Late Harvest Vignole which sells out every year. It, as well as many of their other wines, are major award winners. I was happy to visit this winery which proudly offered a tasting of their award winning Vidal Blanc Ice Wine 2006. For $40 it is good value when compared with many of the Canadian Ice Wines which sell for $100. This was an exceptional rich syrupy wine which I would happily sip with or without dessert.
We also picked up wines at some of the other wineries on the Keuka Wine Trail: Dr Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars, Stever Hill Vineyards, and Heron Hill Winery. On our next outing we’ll visit the rest of the participating wineries: Keuka Spring Vineyards, Rooster Hill Vineyards and Barrington Cellars.
You can buy tickets online or through any of the wineries or at Wegmans. They cost $20 a person in advance and $25 a person the day of the event. This includes a wine glass and plastic plate.
