Lowcountry Tomato Pie Food

TOMATO PIE

Steps:

• Arrange the tomato and onion slices in a single layer on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Fit the pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate and crimp the edges. Prick the bottom and sides with a fork. Line the crust with aluminum foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the edges of the crust are just golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the foil and weights and continue to bake until the bottom of the crust is dry and brown, another 15 to 20 minutes. Cool completely.
• Mix together the Cheddar, mozzarella and mayonnaise in a medium bowl. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few cracks of black pepper.
• Transfer the tomatoes and onions to a dry paper towel and pat dry. Liberally season the tomatoes with cracked black pepper. Arrange a third of the tomatoes in a single layer in the pie crust, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle a third of the basil over the tomatoes and top with a third of the onions. Repeat twice with the remaining tomatoes, basil and onions. Spread the mayonnaise mixture over the top of the onions.
• Bake until the topping is golden brown and bubbling, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool completely. Garnish with basil leaves. Serve at room temperature.

GREEN TOMATO PIE

Steps:

• Mix 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper, 3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca and the zest of 1 lemon. Cut 2 pounds green tomatoes into 1/4-inch-thick slices; dip completely in the sugar mixture, then arrange in pie shell, adding 1/2 cup golden raisins as you layer. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and dot with 4 tablespoons butter.
• Perfect All-Butter Piecrust
• Pulse 3 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor. Add 1 diced stick cold butter; process until combined. Add 2 more diced sticks cold butter; pulse three times, or until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 1 tablespoon white or cider vinegar. Gradually pour in 1/3 cup ice water, pulsing about four times until combined. Turn out onto a clean surface and press into a cohesive dough without overworking (you should see bits of butter). Wrap in plastic wrap and press into a 1-inch-thick disk; refrigerate at least 1 hour before rolling out.
• How to Make a Pie
• Divide the chilled dough in half; roll 1 piece into a 12-inch, 1/8-inch-thick circle on a lightly floured surface (refrigerate the other piece).
• Roll the dough onto a rolling pin, then unroll it into a 9-inch glass pie plate, letting it hang over the edge; add filling.
• Roll out the other piece of dough and place over the filling; press the crust edges together and trim, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Roll up or pinch the overhang to seal.
• Place a foil-lined baking sheet on a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 450 degrees. Wrap an oiled, wide band of foil around the pie edge to protect the crust. Make slashes in the top of the crust; chill for 30 minutes.
• Reduce the oven to 400 degrees. Bake the pie for 30 minutes. Remove the foil band, brush the crust with heavy cream and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes; cool before slicing.

TOMATO PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• Make the cornmeal crust: Combine the cornmeal, flour and salt in a food processor and pulse until combined. Add the shortening and pulse until the mixture resembles small peas. Add the cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse just until the mixture comes together and forms a dough. Shape the dough into a disc, then wrap with plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• For the filling: Meanwhile, arrange the tomatoes in a single layer on paper towel-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Let stand for 30 minutes to allow the water from the tomatoes to release, then pat the tomatoes dry with paper towels.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Roll out the dough out to an 11-inch circle and fit into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Fold the edges under and crimp the edges. Fill the pie crust with parchment paper and pie weights or dried beans. Bake on the bottom rack until the crust is browned and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, carefully lift out the parchment and weights and let cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• Sprinkle the tomatoes with the House Seasoning. Layer a third of the tomatoes on the bottom of the crust and sprinkle with a third of the herbs. Top with half of the onion, half of the ham and 1/3 cup Pimiento Cheese. Repeat the layers once. Top with the remaining tomatoes, herbs and remaining 1/3 cup Pimiento Cheese. Bake on the bottom rack until the pie is golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Let stand 20 minutes before slicing. Garnish with more fresh herbs, if desired.
• Stir together the garlic and onion powders, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.
• Add the Cheddars, cream cheese, pimientos and mayo to a bowl and mix together. Add the chives, garlic powder, cayenne, smoked paprika and salt and pepper and mix until thoroughly combined.

LONE STAR TOMATO PIE

Steps:

• Mix mayonnaise, cheese and onion and season salt and pepper to taste.
• Grease a 9"x12" casserole dish.
• Layer the bottom evenly with 7 slices of the bread cut into medium sized cubes.
• Over this, layer the tomatoes, overlapping the length of the casserole - usually 4 rows using about 5 of the tomatoes.
• Season this layer liberally with salt and pepper.
• Trim the crusts away from the remaining 8 slices of bread and arrange them on top of the tomato layer so they cover the surface completely.
• Spread about a third of the mayonnaise, cheese and onion mixture on top of the bread layer.
• Arrage the remaining tomatoes in the same overlapping manner.
• season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the rest of the mayonnaise, cheese and onion mix on the tomatoes
• bake uncovered in a 375F oven for about 25 minutes until the cheese on top becomes golden brown.
• Serve hot as a side dish.

COUNTRY TOMATO PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350*F. Peel tomatoes by dipping in boiling water for 10 seconds or so to split skins.
• Thickly slice tomatoes, then layer in baked and cooled pie shell, sprinkling each layer with green onions, basil and salt and pepper to taste.
• Combine mayonnaise and cheese and spread over tomatoes.
• Bake 30 minutes.