Summer Tomato Terrine Food

SUMMER TOMATO TERRINE

Steps:

• Bring large pot of water to boil. Using slotted spoon, dip tomato in for a few seconds and remove. Repeat until skin cracks, and set aside to cool. Repeat with remaining tomatoes. Slip skins off, and cut tomatoes in half. Remove cores and seeds. Cut flesh into 1/4-inch dice, and place in large bowl.
• In a small sauté pan over low heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil and sauté garlic just until softened, not browned. Add to tomatoes with onion, vinegar and remaining oil. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to mix well.
• Line an 11 1/2-by-4-by-3-inch terrine with plastic wrap. Remove crust from bread, and cut loaf lengthwise to make a slice 1/4 inch thick to fit bottom of mold. (If necessary, use more than one slice, fitting them together in an even layer.) Spoon a third of the tomatoes evenly across bread, and sprinkle with a third of the parsley.
• Top with another 1/4-inch layer of bread. Add a third of the tomatoes and a third of the parsley. Repeat with last layers of bread, tomato and parsley, and top with bread. Spread any juices over bread. Cover with plastic, and place brick or similar weight on top. Refrigerate overnight.
• To serve, lift terrine from mold and remove plastic wrap. Using a serrated knife, cut terrine into slices 1/2-inch thick. Serve 2 as side dish, or 3 as first course.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO TERRINE

Steps:

• Make vegetable broth:
• Core tomatoes and cut a shallow X in bottom of each, then blanch tomatoes in boiling water 10 seconds. Transfer with a slotted spoon to an ice bath to stop cooking.
• Peel tomatoes using tip of a small paring knife, reserving skins. With tomatoes standing on stem ends, cut off outer layer of flesh (follow curve of tomato) from each side, leaving seedy interior and reserving flesh and interior (with juices) separately.
• Make gelatin mixture:
• Very lightly oil terrine, then line long sides and bottom with a sheet of plastic wrap, smoothing any wrinkles and allowing at least 2 inches of overhang on each side.
• Whisk gelatin into cooled 1/2 cup broth and let stand 5 minutes for gelatin to soften. Add to hot broth, stirring until gelatin has dissolved. Put gelatin mixture in a metal bowl and quick-chill by setting bowl in an ice bath and stirring occasionally until cool.
• Stir herbs into cooled gelatin mixture and continue to stir (in ice bath) until it has a syrupy consistency.
• Assemble terrine:
• Pour enough gelatin mixture into terrine to come 1/4 inch up sides. Put terrine in freezer 10 minutes to set gelatin.
• Completely cover set gelatin with a layer of tomato, rounded sides down. Pour a little of cooled (but not set) gelatin mixture over tomatoes to just cover them. Continue layering tomatoes and gelatin mixture. (Work quickly to keep gelatin mixture from setting; if it begins to set, remelt over barely simmering water, then quick-chill in ice bath, stirring gently, until syrupy.) Pour a final layer of gelatin mixture over top, letting it seep into spaces between tomatoes (make sure gelatin mixture covers tomatoes).
• Pour any remaining gelatin mixture into a shallow bowl and chill separately. Gently push down on surface of terrine to make sure there aren't any air pockets, then chill in refrigerator, covered, at least 8 hours.
• Run a thin knife along short sides (ends) of terrine, then invert onto a cutting board or a platter, gently pulling on plastic overhang to help unmold (discard plastic wrap). Carefully slice terrine with an electric knife or a very sharp thin knife, using a metal spatula to hold outside of each slice steady and transferring each slice to a plate. Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Chop extra gelatin (from bowl) and serve on the side.

TOMATO TERRINE

Steps:

• Bring first 8 ingredients and 3 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until stock yields 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large measuring cup. Strain stock, discarding solids. Cover; keep hot.
• Set a fine-mesh strainer over another measuring cup. Cut each peeled tomato into 4 wedges. Place wedges, cut side up, on a work surface. Cut away seeds and pulp from tomato and transfer to strainer. Place filleted tomatoes on a double layer of paper towels to drain; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Pat tomatoes with more paper towels. Let stand for 30 minutes.
• Press on seeds to yield 1/2 cup tomato juice. Sprinkle gelatin over juice; let stand for 10 minutes to soften. Add to hot stock; whisk vigorously to dissolve gelatin. Stir in 1/4 cup chives, vinegar, and kosher salt to taste.
• Spray 1 loaf pan with nonstick spray; line with plastic wrap, allowing for a 3" overhang on each side. Smooth plastic to remove wrinkles. Pour 1/2 cup stock into pan. Chill until set, about 40 minutes. Arrange 1 layer of tomatoes in pan, pressing down gently, then drizzle 2 tablespoons stock mixture over. Repeat layering with remaining tomatoes and stock. Pour remaining stock over to fill pan. Cover terrine with plastic wrap. Place on a small rimmed baking sheet.
• Place second loaf pan on top of terrine. Weigh down terrine by placing 2-3 small canned goods in top pan (some of liquid mixture in bottom pan may spill out). Chill terrine until set, about 6 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.
• Uncover terrine; invert onto a platter. Remove pan and plastic wrap. Slice terrine; transfer to plates. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with chives and sea salt.