Essence Of Tomatoes Recipes

TOMATO ESSENCE

Steps:

• Puree tomatoes and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute. Line a colander with 4 layers of dampened cheesecloth and set over a deep pot. Pour tomato puree into colander, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until 1 to 2 cups tomato water have dripped into pot, about 1 day. Season with salt, if desired.

TOMATO ESSENCE AND TIMBALE OF PRESSED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Make the tomato essence: In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, celery, shallot, fennel, thyme, tarragon, 4 tablespoons basil, garlic clove, 1 tablespoon salt, cayenne, Worcestershire, and hot-pepper sauce. Cover, and marinate 4 hours.
• Transfer to bowl of food processor; pulse to combine, about 5 seconds. Do not overblend. Drape two 14-inch squares of cheesecloth over a deep bowl or stockpot, and transfer mixture to the cheesecloth. Tie ends together tightly, and suspend over bowl to catch juices, preferably overnight. Transfer juices to an airtight container, and store in refrigerator until needed, up to 1 day. Discard contents in cheesecloth.
• Make the timbales: Fill a medium saucepan halfway with water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Score an X in the bottom of each large tomato; place in boiling water for 10 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon, and let cool slightly. Use a paring knife to gently remove skins and cut flesh into petals by following the shape of the tomato from top to bottom. You should have four petals from each tomato for a total of sixteen; set aside.
• Remove and discard seeds from core of tomatoes, and dice remaining flesh. Combine diced tomatoes in a small bowl with remaining 1/2 garlic clove, 2 tablespoons chopped basil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and balsamic vinegar; set aside. Using a 2-inch round cutter, cut out eight circles from eight petals, and place one each in the bottom of four sterilized 4-ounce jelly jars, presentation side down. Set aside remaining four circles. Dice the scraps, and add to the marinating diced mixture.
• Fit two of eight remaining petals to line sides of each jar, overlapping slightly to cover. Place 4 to 5 tablespoons diced tomato mixture in each jar to fill, and place one of the reserved circles on top. Press down lid; screw on ring lid. Place in refrigerator 1 hour or overnight.
• In a small bowl, whisk water, sherry vinegar, sugar, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
• Cut off ends of zucchini and eggplant. Use a paring knife to slice lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick strips; cut each strip into 1-inch squares. In a medium saute pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add eggplant skin side down; cook 30 seconds. Add zucchini skin side down, and cook 1 minute on each side. Pour sherry-vinegar solution into pan, and remove from heat.
• Remove jars from refrigerator; run the tip of a paring knife around the inside of each jar to loosen, and unmold. Place a timbale in the center of each of four chilled bowls. Surround with eggplant and zucchini. Ladle tomato essence around bowl; drizzle with olive oil. Place a scoop of sorbet on each timbale, and garnish with basil. Serve immediately.

CHEESY VIDALIA ONION AND TOMATO PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Roll out the pie crust on a lightly floured surface to fit a deep 9 or 10-inch pie pan. Place the pastry in the pie pan and crimp edges decoratively. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes, then line with aluminum foil. Fill with pie weights and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges. Remove foil and pie weights, and return to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack to cool. Crack the egg in a small bowl, reserving yolk for the filling, separately. Lightly beat the egg white with a fork, then brush the surface of pie crust with a light coating of egg white and allow to cool.
• Slice the tomatoes, discarding the stem and root ends, into 1/4-inch slices and lightly season with the salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle about 1/3 of the bread crumbs in the bottom of the pie crust. In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise with the reserved egg yolk and stir until smooth. Place a layer of tomatoes in the bottom of the piecrust over the breadcrumbs, using about half of the tomatoes, then top with half of the sliced onions. Drizzle with half of the mayonnaise mixture, half of the thyme and basil, half of the fontina and half of the mozzarella cheeses. Top with half of the remaining breadcrumbs then top with the remaining tomato slices, remaining onions, remaining fontina and mozzarella, remaining mayonnaise mixture, and remaining thyme and basil. Top with the remaining bread crumbs and drizzle with the olive oil. cover with the Parmesan cheese, place in the oven and bake until bubbly hot and golden brown, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• 2 teaspoons Essence, recipe follows
• In the bowl of a food processor combine flour, Essence, salt, and butter and process until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. While the motor is running, add water in increments until dough comes together to form a ball. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and shape into a flat disc. Refrigerate overnight or at least one hour.
• Remove from refrigerator and roll out on a lightly floured surface to desired shape and thickness.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, Published by William Morrow, 1993.