Description
Alton Brown’s tomato tart celebrates summer’s ripest treasures with a buttery, herbed crust and juicy heirloom tomatoes. Mediterranean flavors mingle deliciously, inviting you to savor each Mediterranean-inspired bite of this rustic, elegant dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes (yellow or red), washed and dried
- 2 whole large onions, halved and sliced thin
- 1 ½ cups grated fontina cheese (or Monterey Jack)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- ¼ cup grated gruyère (or swiss)
Crust and Binding Ingredients:
- 2 whole store-bought pie crusts (or 1 good-sized homemade crust)
- 1 whole egg
- ¼ cup milk
Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 16 whole basil leaves, chiffonade
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Caramelize onions in a large skillet over medium-low heat with butter, stirring occasionally until they transform into a rich, deep golden-brown color, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Merge the two pie crusts by gently kneading them together, then roll out into a single, thin, uniform crust.
- Transfer the crust to a shallow quarter sheet pan or divide between two 9-inch (23-centimeter) pie pans. Create a foundational layer of cheese across the bottom of the crust.
- Whisk the milk and egg in a small mixing bowl. Carefully brush this egg wash over the entire crust, ensuring complete coverage including the edges.
- Place the tart in the oven and monitor closely for 20 to 22 minutes. Look for shriveled tomatoes with roasted spots and a golden-brown crust as indicators of doneness.
- If the crust browns too rapidly, reduce the oven temperature to 425°F (218°C) to prevent burning.
- After removing from the oven, allow the tart to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish uniformly with fresh basil leaves, slice into portions, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Let those onions slowly transform into golden, jammy goodness by cooking them over low heat for maximum flavor development.
- Select premium cheeses that melt beautifully and complement each other’s rich, nutty profiles for an extraordinary taste experience.
- Apply the egg wash with gentle, consistent strokes to create a glossy, appetizing exterior that catches everyone’s eye.
- Monitor your pastry closely during baking, using visual and olfactory cues to prevent any potential burning or uneven coloring.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg