This week saw the closing of the tomato season. Let me qualify that by saying at this week’s Farmer’s Market, my favorite farmer sold the last of her tomato crop.
We can still find tomatoes at the grocery stores, but they are just not the same. I picked up my last batch of those ruby red globes and thought I would end the season with a bang. I contemplated several favorite tomato dishes and the Cheesy Tomato Tart was the winner.
Easy and gourmet at the same time, this tart can be made with a homemade crust or store-bought puff pastry. It matters not; the combination of the cheeses and thick slices of oven roasted tomatoes steal the show.
This cheesy tomato tart will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days and makes a great leftover supper. It will give you something yummy to eat while you are busy with Thanksgiving preparations.
Enjoy and buon appetito!
Cheesy Tomato Tart
Equipment
- 10-inch tart pan
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cut in cubes
- 6 tbsp ice cold water
- (Can substitute 1 puff pastry sheet)
Filling
- 1 ½ cup ricotta - well drained
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup asiago cheese, grated
- 5 tbsp fresh herbs - 3 tbsp basil, 1 tbsp Italian parsley, 1 tbsp thyme (3 tbsp of the herb blend will be used for the topping
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- a pinch of salt and a few grinds of fresh black pepper
Tomato topping
- 4 medium tomatoes, ½ inch slices
- ½ cup cheese: ¼ cup asiago and ¼ cup parmigiana
- 3 tbsp herb blend from above
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
- For the dough:In a mixing bowl add the flour, salt and cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or the back of a fork, cut the butter into the flour until the butter is the size of little peas. Add the ice water and mix until a dough is formed. Try not to overmix; just until the dough begins to form. Gather the dough into a ball, wrap in a piece of plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for 30 minutes
- Meanwhile, wash, core and slice the tomatoes. Lay the slices in a colander and add a pinch of salt to each layer of tomatoes. This will help to draw out the extra liquid. Set aside for 30 minutes to drain.
- To make the filling: In a mixing bowl add the ricotta, egg, garlic, cheese, salt and pepper. Mix well by hand or with a hand-held mixer. Then stir in 2 tablespoons of the fresh herbs.
- To assemble: Roll out the dough into a 12-inch round and place in a 10-inch tart pan, leaving the extra 2 inches draped over the edges of the tart pan. If you are using pre-made puff pastry, cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and unroll the puff pastry sheet in the center of the baking sheet.
- Spoon the ricotta filling in the center of the dough, leaving the 2 inch boarder. The same goes for the puff pastry; leave a 2-inch boarder all the way around.
- Lay the slices tomatoes in overlapping concentric circles on top of the filling.
- Next, fold the 2 inch boarder of dough over on top of the tomatoes (the same goes for the puff pastry). Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle parmigiana/asiago cheeses and remaining 3 tbsp of herbs blend on top. Bake for another 20 - 25 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Cool for 15 minutes before serving. Use a sharp serrated knife or pizza cutter to cut into slices.
Notes
Other savory autumn treats:
Cheesy Rigatoni and Mushrooms
Potato and Cheese Crostata
Caramelized Beet Tart with Feta and Pine Nuts