Roasted Tomato Tart With Ricotta And Pesto Recipes

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.

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.

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.

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.