Heirloom Tomato Gratin Recipe 445

HEIRLOOM TOMATO AND PECORINO GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Lay the tomato slices flat and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Arrange the tomatoes in a 10-inch oval baking pan. Sprinkle the basil pieces on top.
• Combine the cheese, breadcrumbs and thyme in a small bowl. Sprinkle the tomatoes with this mixture and drizzle the entire mixture with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Bake the gratin until the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Place tomato slices on paper towels; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and let stand for 15 minutes,pat dry with paper towels.
• Coat a 2-quart oval baking dish with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil; sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the bread crumbs over the bottom of baking dish.
• Place 1/2 the tomato slices in prepared baking dish(on top of the bread crumb), overlapping if necessary; season with 1/8 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the black pepper.
• Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the olive oil, 1 tablespoon of the oregano, and 1 teaspoon of the thyme over the top; TUCK in the garlic and sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons bread crumbs over the top.
• Place the remaining tomato slices in the dish and season with remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; sprinkle remaining olive oil, oregano and thyme over the tomatoes.
• Bake in 450 degree oven for 30 minutes; scatter Parmesan cheese on top; bake an additional 10 minutes; remove gratin from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving, enjoy.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees.
• You'll need a shallow 2- to 2 1/2-quart baking or gratin dish.
• Vigorously rub inside of dish with garlic, discard garlic.
• Brush dish with 1 T oil to coat.
• Heat 1 1/2 T oil in large skillet over medium low heat.
• Add onion and cook 15 minutes, stirring often, just until translucent and tender, but not browned.
• Remove from heat, stir in orange zest and juice, honey and 1 1/2 t thyme.
• Scatter half over bottom of prepared dish; top with half of the tomatoes and season with half the salt and pepper.
• Top with remaining onion mixture, tomatoes, salt and pepper, overlapping tomato slices to fit.
• Mix bread crumbs, cheese and remaining 1/2 T oil and 1 1/2 t thyme until crumbs are evenly moistened.
• Sprinkle over tomatoes.
• Bake 20-24 minutes until crumbs are golden and juices bubble.
• Serve hot or warm.

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES WITH HERBED RICOTTA

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside for up to 30 minutes.
• With a small serrated knife, cut the larger tomatoes in wedges through the stem and the smaller tomatoes in half through the stem. Place them in a medium bowl with the garlic, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
• When ready to serve, add the basil to the tomatoes and combine. Pile the ricotta in a large (12-inch) round shallow bowl or oval platter. Using a slotted spoon, place the tomatoes around the ricotta, discarding any liquid. Drizzle the tomatoes and ricotta with olive oil, sprinkle with the reserved basil and fleur de sel, and serve at room temperature.
• Set a fine-mesh sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 pieces of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with a double layer of the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a medium stainless-steel or enameled pot, such as Le Creuset, and stir in the salt. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and pour in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for one minute, until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
• Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 minutes (for soft ricotta) to 25 minutes (for firmer ricotta), occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining liquid. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep, refrigerated, for 4 to 5 days.