Recipe of the week – Summer Tomato Tart – Ms. April

There is no store on the earth I love more than IKEA. Seriously, it’s like a vacation day for me. I like to go early, especially with one or more of my daughters, and spend the whole day. We shop, and find super deals, and dream of re-doing every room in our house and utilize the beautiful clean Scandinavian lines of their products. When we get tired, we go upstairs and have a Swedish meal, and usually share so we can sample several different dishes. Once we are rested, it’s round two. Then we go home happy and content. And usually a couple hundred dollars poorer. Thankfully, IKEA is 3 hours from my home, so I don’t get to go very often.

California Girl comments: IKEA!! Doesn’t every woman just love going there… and every man just hate it?

That being said, my daughter and I were coming home from San Francisco recently, and spotted an IKEA near the freeway. Traffic was heavy, and it was a good opportunity to take a break from the bumper to bumper flow on I-80. At least that was the excuse I used. *wink, wink* During this particular trip I found a beautiful white tart pan, larger than most and simple enough for summer meals at home, yet elegant enough for guests. It now resides in my kitchen cabinet–that is, when it isn’t full of some delectable pie or tart.

One of the amazing summer dinners I made recently was a Savory Tomato Tart. With a side of fresh sliced fruit and maybe some steamed asparagus, this is a perfect luncheon tart or light dinner fare. It’s vegetarian, so it’s perfect for everyone!

I know most of you HATE making pie crust, but I am going to show you an easy recipe that is prepared for the most part, in your Kitchenaid mixer.

Here is what you will need:

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CRUST:

2 cups white flour

1/4 tsp salt

2 TBSP Cornstarch

1 cube unsalted butter, chilled

1 egg

1/4 cup ice water

FILLING:

2 pints of heirloom cherry tomatoes (all red ones will work fine as well)

2 cups grated provolone cheese

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup chopped green onion

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 cup fresh basil, cut into thin ribbons

FOR THE CRUST:

In your Kitchen Aid Mixer, put the flour, salt and cornstarch. Mix. Cut the chilled butter into small pieces and add to the flour mixture, and using the whip attachment, mix until the mixture looks like coarse bread crumbs. All of the butter will be finely mixed in.

 

Remove the whip and bowl from the mixer.

 

In a separate bowl, mix the egg and water with a small wisk. Add to the flour mixture, and using a rubber spatula, gently fold the flour mixture and egg mixture together until all is moistened and forms a ball. Do not over work or your dough will be tough.

 

 

Now, you can roll like a traditional pie crust and place in your tart pan, or you can skip the mess and just press it into the bottom of your greased tart pan, using the pads of your fingers. Make sure you press it up the sides as well. This is my preferred way when making a tart. Place in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes.

 

Now to make the filling—

In a medium sized bowl, place the cheese, onion, mayonnaise, pepper and chopped basil. Mix well with a spatula. Spread this mixture in your chilled tart crust. Top with an even layer of cherry tomatoes and press them into the cheese mixture a bit. Sprinkle with a pinch of the basil ribbons, reserving the rest for when it comes out of the oven.

 

Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the crust is golden brown.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle evenly with the remaining basil ribbons. Serve this sliced like a pie, with a steamed vegetable or green salad, and prepare for a party in your mouth!

This tart is so delicious, you are going to make it again and again. My granddaughter helped me make it today, and I found her licking the filling bowl as I put it all in the oven. It’s that good!

California Girl comments: I love love love this recipe. Since it is rosé season, I thought it would be the perfect pairing with a nice refreshing glass. Recently I tried the Gerard Bertrand Cote de Roses which is a combination of Granache, Cinsault and Syrah. With a combination like that you would think it would be sweet, but it was very light, refreshing and oh so slightly floral with good minerality. It’s a bargain wine and I picked mine up at target for around $10.00 

Have a wonderful week, and I look forward to your comments! ~Hugs, Ms. April