Flammkuchen

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) top/bottom heat.
2. Place all dough ingredients (flour, water, olive oil, salt) in a bowl and mix thoroughly until a homogeneous dough forms.
3. Roll out the dough very thinly with a rolling pin.
4. Place the rolled-out dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Spread the crème fraîche evenly over the dough, leaving almost no border free.
6. Cut the onion into fine rings or half-rings and distribute them along with the diced ham over the crème fraîche.
7. Place the Flammkuchen in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes.

Baking time may vary depending on the desired degree of browning. Remove the Flammkuchen from the oven as soon as the edges are crispy and the topping is lightly browned.

Notes

• When rolling out the dough, I like to dust a work surface with flour and regularly turn the dough to prevent sticking, occasionally re-dusting with flour. Others might prefer rolling it out directly on the baking paper.
• Seasoning: For extra flavor, you can sprinkle spices like Herbes de Provence, Piment d'Espelette, or dried tomato powder over the topping before baking. If your oven has strong top heat, you can also add the spices after about 5 minutes of baking to prevent burning.
• Additional Ingredients: Mushrooms, thinly sliced and baked with it, are an excellent addition.
• Variations:
  • With Salmon: Replace the diced ham with thin slices of smoked salmon, which you place on the warm Flammkuchen after baking.
  • Vegetarian with Tofu: Use smoked tofu, finely diced and briefly fried, instead of the diced ham.
  • Goat Cheese, Nuts, and Honey: A sweet-savory variation with goat cheese, chopped walnuts or pecans, and a drizzle of honey after baking.
• Kitchen Efficiency: While the Flammkuchen is baking in the oven, you can clean the used kitchen utensils and the work surface. This way, the kitchen is clean when the food is ready!