Favorite Recipe of the Year 2020
When mulling over this unprecedented year—and all of the collaborations, custom events, and more that have taken place—we decided to think about which of the many recipes created in 2020 is our favorite. That wasn’t easy, partly because one recipe might be best because of its uniqueness, while another might be our favorite because of ease of creation or unexpected flavor.
Choosing our favorite recipe was almost as difficult as getting Farmer Lee to name his favorite tomato! The one we ultimately chose does involve more prep work than some others—but, once that’s done, you can easily make this dish.
Root Vegetable Tarte Tatin on Pâte Brisée
Servings: 4-8
Prep: 90 minutes
At the Culinary Vegetable Institute, we often lean into crave-able items at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, appreciating the farm-fresh ingredients at The Chef’s Garden. Fortunately, with so many people cooking at home these days, what interests us is also appealing to many of you.
This root vegetable tarte tatin leans heavily into French-influenced pastry but brings a new appreciation for humble subterranean vegetables. Meanwhile, the introduction of vinegar in this dish brings a beautiful, savory complement to the caramelized vegetables. Consider adding this to a cheese course and serving it with a fortified wine like Rivesaltes.
For the Pâte Brisée:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1/4 c ice water
For the Root Vegetables:
2 baby beets: golden and candy striped, washed and sliced into 3/8” thick rounds
1 baby sweet potato, washed and sliced into 3/8” thick rounds
2 baby carrots, washed and sliced into 3/8” thick rounds
¼ cup butter, melted
Kosher salt
Black pepper, freshly ground
For the BLiS 9 Sherry Vinegar Caramel:
1 sheet of parchment paper
⅓ cup sugar
2-3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary, sage, thyme, or verbena
For Assembly:
1 10-inch flat bottom round pie pan
4 oz. aged cheese, finely grated
Directions
For the Pâte Brisée:
In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add butter, and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal after eight to ten seconds. With the machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream through the feed tube. Pulse until the dough holds together without being wet or sticky; be careful not to process more than 30 seconds. To test, squeeze a small amount together. If it is crumbly, add more ice water, one tablespoon at a time.
Form into a ball and flatten into a disc. Wrap in plastic. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least one hour before sheeting. Dough may be stored frozen for up to one month.
To Begin
Place a rack on the second lowest shelf of your oven; preheat to 400°.
For the Vegetables
Toss the beets, sweet potatoes, and carrots with butter, salt, and pepper on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer. Roast until lightly browned around the edges and fork-tender, 30–35 minutes. Meanwhile, work on the caramel.
For the Caramel
Cut a cartouche from parchment paper to fit your pie pan’s or cast-iron pan’s bottom.
While the vegetables are still cooking, combine the sugar and two tablespoons of water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the caramel is amber-colored (345-348ºF); this should take five to seven minutes. Remove from heat and carefully add the vinegar and a pinch of salt. Stir gently to combine.
Prepare the bottom and sides of the pie pan with a brush of olive oil. Add the parchment cartouche. Press flat to the bottom. Pour the hot caramel into a 10” diameter pie pan; tilt and rotate the pan to coat the bottom with caramel evenly. Use the back of a spoon to assist if necessary. Scatter the chopped herbs over the top.
For Assembly
Arrange beets, sweet potatoes, and carrots snugly in a single layer on top of the caramel. Use smaller carrot pieces to fill in any negative space. Scatter the aged cheese over the vegetables.
Refrigerate.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 12” round. Drape over the vegetables, tucking the edges into the pan. Dock the dough all over with a fork. Bake until the crust looks dry, about 20 minutes; reduce heat to 350°; bake until the crust is golden brown, about 15–20 minutes.
Let the tart cool for five minutes before carefully inverting it onto a large plate. Slice and enjoy!