This tart is my version of mou’sakhan, a traditional Palestinian dish. The onions have to be cooked slowly in the best oil to caramelize. I like to serve my tart with a fresh thyme and arugula salad, and yogurt on the side. Lunch couldn’t be better.

6 Servings

INGREDIENTS

FOR PASTRY:

• 2½ cups flour
• 2 tsp cracked black pepper
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup unsalted cold butter, cut into small cubes
• 3 Tbsp cold water
• 1 egg

FOR TOPPING:

• ½ cup olive oil
• 8 medium onions, sliced thinly
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced
• Salt and pepper
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• Small handful of fresh thyme (leave some to garnish)
• 2 Tbsp sumac plus extra to coat the chicken
• 3 chicken breasts, on the bone
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh pomegranate seeds
• ½ cup toasted pine nuts

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a bowl put the flour, black pepper, salt, and sugar and mix. Put in the cold butter cubes and using your fingers rub the butter into the flour to make a crumbly consistency.
2. Make a well in the center and pour in the water and egg. Bring the flour gradually together and mix quickly to make a smooth dough.
3. Flatten slightly into a disk and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour until ready to use.
4. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
5. Roll out the pastry to fit two 13- × 4-inch tart pans with a removable bottom.
6. Prick the base with a fork. Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
7. Line the pastry with parchment paper (or foil), fill with dried beans to prevent it from rising, and blind bake for 15 minutes.
8. Remove the beans and paper, turn down the oven temperature to 350°F, and bake for an additional 15 minutes until they have a light golden color.
9. Cool the pastry completely. Remove from the pan, place on flat serving platters and set aside.
10. Put the olive oil in a large heavy-based pot. On medium heat sauté the onions and garlic.
11. Sprinkle in the salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir to coat the onions well and turn down the heat to low.
12. Add the fresh thyme. Cook gently, stirring, taking care not to burn them. The onions will caramelize and sweeten as they cook. This will take about 40 minutes.
13. When they are meltingly soft, remove from the heat and stir in the sumac. They will turn a pinkish color.
14. Pour into a colander sitting in a bowl to drain the excess oil.
15. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
16. Coat the chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, and sumac.
17. Roast for about 30–40 minutes. When done, remove, cover lightly with foil, and leave to rest.
18. To assemble the tart, spread the caramelized onions on the pastry.
19. Remove the chicken from the bones, thinly slice, and place on top of the onions.
20. Garnish with pine nuts and a few fresh thyme sprigs and pomegranate seeds.