Heirloom Tomato And Basil Tart Recipes

Steps:

• For the crust: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the pie crust on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 7 minutes until lightly golden. Cool for 20 minutes.
• For the pesto: In a blender or food processor, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until finely chopped. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until the mixture forms a smooth and thick consistency. Add the Parmesan and pulse until combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Using a spatula, spread the pesto over the cooled crust. Arrange the tomato slices on top of the pesto and garnish with the sliced basil. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Cut the tart into wedges and serve.

Steps:

• Set the crusts. Unroll and press the pie crusts into two 9-inch tart pans. If using rectangular pans, just trim one-third of each crust and press the pieces together to fit. Then, use your pointer finger to press the dough into the sides of the tart pan. Use a knife to remove the excess crust along the top edges and discard the scraps. Using a fork, prick the bottom of the crust a few times to allow for venting (maybe 3 pricks per quadrant). Chill for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Prebake the crusts. Spray the shiny side of 2 pieces of aluminum foil with a bit
• of nonstick spray and press into the tart shells, sprayed side down. Fill with dried beans or pie weights and bake until the edges are golden and the sides are set, about 15 minutes. Remove the foil and beans and bake another 10 to 12 minutes, until cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F.
• Make the pesto. Blend the parsley, basil, thyme, garlic, Parmesan, almonds,
• lemon zest, and lemon juice in a food processor until the ingredients resemble a rough paste. Taste the pesto and season with salt and pepper, if needed. To finish, slowly drizzle the olive oil into the feed tube while blending.
• Assemble and bake the tarts. Divide the pesto equally and, using a rubber spatula, evenly spread it over the bottom of each prepared crust. Starting around the outer edges, place the tomatoes over the pesto, overlapping each slice slightly as you move around the tart pan. Then make a smaller circle of overlapping slices within the starter ring. Continue until the entire pan is covered in circles of tomato slices. Repeat for the second tart. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the top of each tart and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the tomatoes appear roasted in texture and the edges of the crust are golden brown. If the dough browns too quickly, tent the edges with foil.
• Garnish the tarts and serve. Remove the tarts from their rings and sprinkle Parmesan on top. Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll the puff pastry to a 14-by-11-inch rectangle on a lightly floured work surface. Trim any rough edges. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. With a paring knife or pizza cutter, lightly score a 1-inch border around the edges, taking care not to cut all the way through. Prick the center all over with a fork. Use the back of a paring knife to score diagonal ridges on the crust. Refrigerate while you prepare the filling and tomatoes.
• Thinly slice the tomatoes (slightly less than 1/4 inch). Arrange the slices in a single layer on a double layer of paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Let drain 15 minutes.
• For the filling, beat one of the eggs in a medium bowl. Add the ricotta, lemon zest, garlic and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Mix well to combine.
• Beat the remaining egg and brush over the pastry. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan inside the border. Then spread the ricotta filling inside the border. Pat the tomatoes dry and arrange in one layer over the filling and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake until the crust is puffed and deep golden brown and the ricotta is set under the tomatoes, about 25 minutes. Let cool on a rack at least 10 minutes.
• Brush the tomatoes lightly with olive oil. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the entire tart, sprinkle with the mint and cut into squares.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
• Using a half-sheet pan as a guide, roll the Flaky Pastry Dough out to a bit larger than the sheet pan (13 by 18 inches). Trim the dough with a sharp knife and transfer to the prepared sheet pan (it should fit snugly). Refrigerate for 20 minutes to chill.
• Dock the dough with a fork and bake until risen and golden brown on top, about 35 minutes. Set aside.
• In a skillet, combine the olive oil, onions and garlic; saute over medium heat until the onions have softened, about 15 minutes. Add the maple syrup and paprika and stir to combine.
• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the cream cheese, artichoke hearts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, mayonnaise, the onion mixture and salt and pepper to taste. Pulse until mostly smooth, with a few small artichoke pieces remaining.
• Gently spread the artichoke mixture over the pastry, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top with the sliced tomatoes. Bake until the edges of the filling are beginning to brown, about 15 minutes.
• Top with the fresh herbs. Serve warm and immediately.
• Add the flour and salt to a large bowl and stir to combine. Add the butter and toss to combine. With your fingers, begin to "smush" the butter into flat pieces. Continue smushing until all the butter is flattened but none of the pieces are larger than a quarter. The flour will look like coarse cornmeal.
• Add the water, quickly folding it in with a wooden spoon to distribute the moisture. (Do not stir vigorously--the dough should appear shaggy.) Use your hands to break up any large clumps of moisture. Then use your knuckles or a palm to smear the dough up the sides of the bowl (a technique known as fraisage). This distributes the butter over a larger surface to achieve larger flakes and compact the dough. Once you've gone around the bowl one time, fold the dough over itself a few times to pick up any dry bits from the bottom. Gently press the dough into a disk. (Note: The dough should remain very cool to the touch throughout the process. If it approaches room temperature, refrigerate it for 5 to 10 minutes to chill.)
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and roll out to a 10-by-12-inch rectangle. Perform a letter fold by folding one of the short ends towards the middle and the other short end over the first, like folding a business letter.
• Turn the dough 90 degrees, so the long side faces you, and perform a second letter fold. Turn the dough 90 degrees again; perform a third letter fold.
• If the dough still feels cool, it can be used immediately. Otherwise, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill for at least 20 minutes. The dough can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 1 month.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Unfold the puff pastry onto a floured piece of parchment paper and roll out into a 9-by-11-inch rectangle. Score 1/2 inch in from the edge, all the way around, using a paring knife. Slide the pastry (on the parchment) onto a baking sheet. Poke the middle all over with a fork, then bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a large bowl and beat with a mixer on medium speed until smooth; stir in the chives. Spread evenly over the cooled crust. Arrange the tomatoes on top; season with salt and pepper and top with more chives.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Place sliced tomatoes on a non-stick baking tray and drizzle with olive oil; season with salt and pepper then place into the oven.
• Roast for 20 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft and caramelizing around the edges.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly; turn the oven down to 325°F.
• Roll pastry out thin and place on a paper-lined baking sheet; score the edges to make a border; make sure not to slice through the pastry. Then bake halfway (for approximately 10 minutes); remove from the oven.
• place tomatoes and mozzarella on the pastry, alternating the two.
• brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg.
• Drizzle a little olive oil over the tomatoes and mozzarella; season with salt and pepper.
• Place back in the oven for approximately 10-15 minutes; until the pastry is crisp and golden.
• Remove from the oven and top with fresh basil leaves.

Steps:

• Pour flour into a bowl and make a well in the center. Add butter, egg, water, salt, and sugar. Work the ingredients together with your fingertips until they resemble bread crumbs. Mix until smooth, pushing with the bottom of your palm to form dough into a ball. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
• Roll dough out into a large round on a floured work surface. Roll up dough over the rolling pin to transfer it to a tart pan with a detachable bottom. Drape dough over the tart pan; press over the bottom and against the edges. Trim the edges. Chill the crust for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork. Line with waxed paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
• Bake crust in the preheated oven until partially cooked, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the weights and waxed paper. Continue baking for 5 minutes. Let cool. Leave the oven on.
• Spread a thin layer of pesto over the crust. Break mozzarella into pieces over the pesto. Cover with tomatoes.
• Return tart to the oven; bake until tomatoes are tender and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Season with sea salt before serving.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Fit the rolled-out dough into a 9-inch tart pan, allowing the edges to rise about 1/4 inch above the rim of the pan. Prick the dough all over with a fork.
• Line the dough with aluminum foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes until beginning to brown at the edges. Remove from the oven and carefully remove the foil and weights. Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees.
• Meanwhile, cut the tomatoes into 1/2-inch slices. Place in a colander to drain excess tomato liquid for 20 minutes.
• Spread 1/4 cup pesto in an even layer over the parbaked tart crust. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the pesto. Sprinkle the fresh basil and oregano over the cheese.
• In a medium bowl, prepare the custard: Whisk together the eggs, cream, salt and pepper until combined.
• Place the sliced tomatoes evenly over the cheese and herbs in overlapping concentric circles.
• Pour the custard evenly over the tomato slices. Swirl the pan to evenly distribute the liquid. Bake until the filling is set and won't jiggle when shaken, about 35 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving warm. This tart can also be served at room temperature.