Tomato Pesto Tart Recipes

SUNNY'S HEIRLOOM TOMATO AND PESTO TART

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.

TOMATO PESTO TART

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, unroll pie pastry. Roll into a 14x12-in. rectangle; transfer to an ungreased baking sheet. Flute edges; prick bottom with a fork. Bake at 425° for 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned., Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese; top with tomatoes. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, pesto, pepper and remaining mozzarella until blended; spread over tomatoes. Bake 10-12 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.

CHEESE, TOMATO & PESTO TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200c/fan 180c/gas 6. Unroll the pastry onto a flat baking sheet and, using a sharp knife, score a rectangle two finger-widths from the edge. Fork the pastry all over the inside of the marked edge. Scatter the cheese, olives and tomatoes over the centre of the tart, then season to taste.
• Bake for 20-25 mins until pastry is crisp and risen, tomatoes are soft and the cheese is golden. Drizzle over the pesto and cut the tart into slices to serve. Great with a green salad.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO TART WITH PESTO AND MOZZARELLA

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.

ROASTED TOMATO TART WITH RICOTTA AND PESTO

Steps:

• Line a large baking sheet with paper towels. Set the sliced tomatoes on top in a single layer. In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Use it to season the tomatoes evenly on both sides, cover with another paper towel and let sit, 15 minutes, allowing the salt to draw moisture out of the tomatoes.
• As the tomatoes sit, heat the oven to 400 degrees and set a rack in the middle of the oven. Working on a large sheet of parchment paper, roll out the puff pastry into a 9-by-11-inch rectangle, trimming any uneven edges. Prick the inside with a fork every few inches, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Using a pastry brush, coat the center of the puff pastry with the crème fraîche, leaving the border unbrushed.
• Working within the border, layer the tomatoes and red onion on top of the tart, allowing them to overlap slightly. Transfer to a sheet pan and bake, rotating halfway through, until puff pastry is browned and puffed, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Sprinkle tomatoes with Aleppo pepper, if using. Dollop with fresh ricotta. Thin pesto with olive oil until it reaches the proper consistency for drizzling; drizzle on top of tart to taste. Top with basil, if using, and serve warm or at room temperature.

TOMATO & MOZZARELLA TART WITH ROAST PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Put a baking sheet in the oven and preheat to fan 200C/conventional 220C/gas 7. (Heating the sheet helps cook the pastry base.) Use the pastry to line a shallow rectangular tin about 20 x 30cm. Prick the base lightly with a fork.
• Scatter the Parmesan over the pastry base. Drain the peppers and pat dry on paper towels. (If the peppers are in oil, don't worry about this part.) Lay the whole peppers widthways across the pastry base. If the peppers aren't in oil, brush a little over them and the pastry, then season. Bake for about 15 minutes until the pastry is puffy and golden.
• Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella. Lay alternating, slightly overlapping lines of tomato and mozzarella over the peppers. Drizzle with oil, scatter with basil leaves and an extra grinding of black pepper, then serve while the pastry is still warm.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO TART

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.

TOMATO PESTO TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease baking sheet.
• Unfold puff pastry on lightly floured surface, roll out into 12-inch square.
• Crimp edges (or gently fold over 1/2 inch of edge).
• Spread pesto evenly over top, sprinkle with cheese.
• Top with thin tomato slices, top with rest of cheese.
• Bake 17 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.