Thursday, August 18, 2011

Little Tomato Tartlets and a Pie...

 I can always count on Everyday Food magazine for great ideas and great recipes. This one is so simple and it a keeper, especially since I have tons of gorgeous juicy Jersey tomatoes from the garden. These tomatoes were so big that some were spilling over the edges of the tarts. No matter though...the taste was amazing. 
These are really nice to serve as a light dinner with a salad or as a nice nibble with a glass of wine or Prosecco or heck even a martini....sitting under the stars on a hot summer evening...we really enjoyed these little babies.
  
Tomato Tartlets
adapted from Everyday Food, 2011
  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed (if you can get all butter puff pastry all the better, I love Dufour or Trader Joe's)
  • 2 1/2 ounces grated Gruyere (2/3 cup packed) (the recipe originally called for Sharp White Cheddar)
  • 3 medium tomatoes, cut into ten 1/4-inch-thick slices
  • 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Ground pepper
  • 1/3 cup small basil leaves, for serving


  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, with racks in upper and middle thirds. Lightly flour a rolling pin and work surface and roll out puff pastry to a 14-by-16-inch rectangle. With a 4-inch cookie cutter, cut out 10 rounds and transfer to two parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets; with a fork, prick each round all over. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon cheese on each, leaving a 1/4-inch border, and top with 1 tomato slice. Brush with oil and season with pepper.
  2. Bake until pastry is deep golden at edges, 25 to 30 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Let tartlets cool completely on a wire rack. To serve, top with basil.(I had a little extra cheese so I just put a tiny bit atop the tomatoes before baking)
 
On another note my baby is leaving for college tomorrow... we are all excited and busy packing and wondering if everything is going to fit into the car. I am so excited for him...and so proud of him. In the middle of everything else yesterday afternoon I just had to bake him a pie....what else is a Mommy to do?
It was Blueberry/Blackberry, the same recipe as this one . I had my Pate Brisee waiting in the freezer, defrosted it in the fridge the night before, rolled out my crust just simply this time, threw this pie together and in 10 minutes it was in the oven. The only change I made was to add a scant 1/2 teaspoon of Vietnamese cinnamon to the berries...it added a very nice nuance. The crust was shatteringly flaky...the boy was very happy to smell a baking pie as he walked in the door. He told me he would remember that scent when he is away....I got a big hug from my six foot three manchild. It was a good thing.

30 comments:

  1. Reminds me sooo much of the movie Waitress..
    The song about baking the baby a pie..
    I have it and listen to it often:)
    Gonna Bake You A Pie With Heart In The Middle..
    Oh mama.. you are a great mama:)

    The tarts..well I love tarts like that..I truly do..and yours are gorgeous..as well as that pie.
    Hmm..should get back into Martha Magazines:)

    To your son:" She loves you..you are going to do so well..Good for you..enjoy every moment!"
    Your mama's so proud:)

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  2. Love to you Monique....you make me smile, always!
    L~xo

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  3. LOVE your tartlets...so beautiful and I'm sure fabulous! Good luck to Jake...I'm sure he'll make you proud. I'm already getting nostalgic about Nick leaving home and I still have a year. xoxo

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  4. Linda, you know, I miss my garden most of all in tomato season. I love picking them still warm from the sun. The super concentrated tomato flavor can't be beat when they are ripe and just picked. Great little recipe to use them too... a perfect way to use them.
    Love the story about the pie... sweet that your little nipper will have that lovely sense memory to take with him to school... nothing richer or better, if you ask me>

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  5. ((((hugs))))to you all my friends...
    This is an emotional night for me...
    Packing up and getting ready...
    Time goes by so fast!

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  6. My daughter is in her 6th year of university. They have to spread their wings sometime even if it is heartbreaking for them to leave the nest.Love both the pie and the tomato tarts.

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  7. I've been in your shoes and it's emotional, but a wonderful step for your son. Lovely pie baked with a lot of heart. The little tartlets are great too - perfect for hors d'oeuvres with a drink.

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  8. .those little tomato tartlets look adorable. i wish i had a garden again.

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  9. dearest Linda, enjoy the moments and the memories.. love you

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  10. Thank you all!
    Lots of love to each and every one of you!
    L~xo

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  11. These are just gorgeous Linda....and good luck to Jake, I'm sure he'll be just fine...but I know that feeling only a mother can.
    Have a good weekend.
    Shel

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  12. LOve your tomato tart Linda ....gorgeous ...I really feel like biting into one now. :)

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  13. So beautiful Linda! You did these little tarts proud ~ great photos, too! As soon as our tomatoes (eventually) ripen ~ I must make some.

    All the best to Jakie ~ they seem to grow up so (too) quickly!! xoxo

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  14. Linda, my mouth is watering. Those little tarts look so delectable.

    Need to buy some puff pastry this week.

    Ann

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  15. Aww, good luck to your son! Of course you had to bake a pie. <3 The tartlets look tasty!

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  16. Thank you my friends...
    We just got back from taking him to school. Set him up...helped him make the bed and he said goodbye...short and sweet. We will not see him until October...I am happy that he is happy. This is life!
    L~xo

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  17. What a wonderful way to use the luscious tomatoes that are in the market now. Dufour puff pastry is my favorite and I'm happy to have your recommendation about TJ's. I know how you feel, Linda. Sending our babies off to college is so emotional.

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  18. Hugs to you Cathy!
    Now we are preparing for Hurricane Irene to hit us on Sunday...whoopee!

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  19. Those tomato tartlets are adorables and I bet they taste delish.

    I would be happy if you would link this to Bake with Bizzy.

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  20. Thanks very much Bizzy...I appreciate you stopping by!

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  21. The tart looks so delicious! I just need some wonderful tomatoes~good recipe to have on hand!

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  22. Love your tartlets Linda! Yum!!!!!!

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  23. Thank you so much Jann and Kelly...
    I am thrilled you stopped by!

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  24. Your tartlets look like little works of art! Gorgeous!

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  25. Thank you Kathleen...glad you stopped by!~

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  26. Just checking in again to say hello...hope you are well and not missing your son too much!
    Love Shel x

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  27. Thanks Shel...we have been dealing with the fallout from a hurricane last week...flooded basement and a big mess...it has kept my mind off of him. He is doing well though!
    Hope you are well too!
    L~xo

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  28. I have had this bookmarked to make when the time was right.

    Last night, the time was right. Delicious and so easy to boot. Is there no end to what puff pastry can do?

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  29. Glad you enjoyed them! Thanks so much for letting me know!

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  30. these look fabulous, i will try them this weekend!

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