Summer Tomato Terrine Recipes

HEIRLOOM TOMATO TERRINE

Steps:

• Make vegetable broth:
• Core tomatoes and cut a shallow X in bottom of each, then blanch tomatoes in boiling water 10 seconds. Transfer with a slotted spoon to an ice bath to stop cooking.
• Peel tomatoes using tip of a small paring knife, reserving skins. With tomatoes standing on stem ends, cut off outer layer of flesh (follow curve of tomato) from each side, leaving seedy interior and reserving flesh and interior (with juices) separately.
• Make gelatin mixture:
• Very lightly oil terrine, then line long sides and bottom with a sheet of plastic wrap, smoothing any wrinkles and allowing at least 2 inches of overhang on each side.
• Whisk gelatin into cooled 1/2 cup broth and let stand 5 minutes for gelatin to soften. Add to hot broth, stirring until gelatin has dissolved. Put gelatin mixture in a metal bowl and quick-chill by setting bowl in an ice bath and stirring occasionally until cool.
• Stir herbs into cooled gelatin mixture and continue to stir (in ice bath) until it has a syrupy consistency.
• Assemble terrine:
• Pour enough gelatin mixture into terrine to come 1/4 inch up sides. Put terrine in freezer 10 minutes to set gelatin.
• Completely cover set gelatin with a layer of tomato, rounded sides down. Pour a little of cooled (but not set) gelatin mixture over tomatoes to just cover them. Continue layering tomatoes and gelatin mixture. (Work quickly to keep gelatin mixture from setting; if it begins to set, remelt over barely simmering water, then quick-chill in ice bath, stirring gently, until syrupy.) Pour a final layer of gelatin mixture over top, letting it seep into spaces between tomatoes (make sure gelatin mixture covers tomatoes).
• Pour any remaining gelatin mixture into a shallow bowl and chill separately. Gently push down on surface of terrine to make sure there aren't any air pockets, then chill in refrigerator, covered, at least 8 hours.
• Run a thin knife along short sides (ends) of terrine, then invert onto a cutting board or a platter, gently pulling on plastic overhang to help unmold (discard plastic wrap). Carefully slice terrine with an electric knife or a very sharp thin knife, using a metal spatula to hold outside of each slice steady and transferring each slice to a plate. Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Chop extra gelatin (from bowl) and serve on the side.

SUMMER TOMATO TERRINE

Steps:

• Bring large pot of water to boil. Using slotted spoon, dip tomato in for a few seconds and remove. Repeat until skin cracks, and set aside to cool. Repeat with remaining tomatoes. Slip skins off, and cut tomatoes in half. Remove cores and seeds. Cut flesh into 1/4-inch dice, and place in large bowl.
• In a small sauté pan over low heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil and sauté garlic just until softened, not browned. Add to tomatoes with onion, vinegar and remaining oil. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to mix well.
• Line an 11 1/2-by-4-by-3-inch terrine with plastic wrap. Remove crust from bread, and cut loaf lengthwise to make a slice 1/4 inch thick to fit bottom of mold. (If necessary, use more than one slice, fitting them together in an even layer.) Spoon a third of the tomatoes evenly across bread, and sprinkle with a third of the parsley.
• Top with another 1/4-inch layer of bread. Add a third of the tomatoes and a third of the parsley. Repeat with last layers of bread, tomato and parsley, and top with bread. Spread any juices over bread. Cover with plastic, and place brick or similar weight on top. Refrigerate overnight.
• To serve, lift terrine from mold and remove plastic wrap. Using a serrated knife, cut terrine into slices 1/2-inch thick. Serve 2 as side dish, or 3 as first course.

SUMMER BERRY TERRINE

Steps:

• For the compote, hull strawberries and halve or slice if large. Put currants and blackberries (if using) into a pan with the sugar and 3 tbsp water and bring to the boil, stirring. Simmer for 5 mins until softened, add remaining fruits and cook for a couple more mins. Remove from the heat, add cassis, if using, then cool.
• Line the base of a 1kg loaf tin with a long strip of double thickness baking parchment, allowing some overhang at the narrow ends to make lifting easier. Slice the cake into long thin strips to allow for 3 layers. Use offcuts for 'patching'.
• Cover the base of the tin with one layer of cake, trimming offcuts to fit snugly. Spoon in half the fruits with some juice on top. Fit another layer of cake on top, then the rest of the fruits and finally a top layer of cake. Reserve leftover juice to pour over the cake when it is turned out. Press lightly down to squash the fruits into the cake, cover with cling film and put something heavy on top to weight it down. Chill overnight.
• Transfer to a plate, using the paper to help loosen and lift it out. Spoon enough of the reserved juice over to moisten (any left over can be used as a drink with fizzy water). Serve with a bought or homemade coulis or cream.