Zucchini Crust Tomato Basil Tart Food

HEIRLOOM TOMATO AND BASIL TART

Steps:

• For the crust: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the pie crust on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 7 minutes until lightly golden. Cool for 20 minutes.
• For the pesto: In a blender or food processor, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until finely chopped. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until the mixture forms a smooth and thick consistency. Add the Parmesan and pulse until combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Using a spatula, spread the pesto over the cooled crust. Arrange the tomato slices on top of the pesto and garnish with the sliced basil. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Cut the tart into wedges and serve.

ZUCCHINI, SUN-DRIED TOMATO, AND MOZARELLA TART

Steps:

• Roll out pastry on floured surface to 1/8-inch-thick square. Trim pastry edges to form 13-inch round. Transfer to 11-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Fold in overhang to form double-thick sides. Pierce with fork. Cover; chill 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Line pastry with foil; fill with beans or pie weights. Bake pastry until sides are set, about 20 minutes. Remove foil and beans. Bake crust until bottom is golden brown, pressing with back of fork if bubbles form, about 8 minutes. Cool 5 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 400°F. Sprinkle mozzarella over bottom of crust. Top with 6 tablespoons Parmesan, tomatoes, basil, green onions, and oregano. Arrange zucchini rounds in concentric circles to cover top of tart. Whisk eggs, half and half, salt, and pepper in medium bowl. Pour mixture into tart. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• Bake tart until custard is set and crust is golden brown, about 35 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

ZUCCHINI CRUST TOMATO BASIL TART

Steps:

• Place the zucchini and scallions in a large sauté pan.
• Cook over high heat, stirring frquently, until the zucchini shrinks, about 6 minutes.
• Drain in a colander.
• Press out excess water with a large spoon.
• Return the zucchini and scallions to the pan.
• Add 1/4 cup bread crumbs and 1/2 teaspoon each salt annd pepper.
• Allow to cool for 5 minutes, tossing frquently.
• Add the egg; toss.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F Coat a 9-inch pie pan with oil.
• Press the zucchini mixture into the bottom and up the sides, but not over the lip, of the pan.
• This"crust" is very thick.
• Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden.
• Remove and sprinkle with 1/2 cup Fontina.
• Top with the tomato slices, overlapping slightly if necessary.
• Season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Cover with 2 tablespoons bread crumbs, the basil, the olive oil and the remaining cup of Fontina.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is well browned.
• Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before cutting.
• Enjoy!

TOMATO ZUCCHINI TART

Steps:

• Prepare and Chill Tart Dough: Combine the flour and salt in bowl of a food processor. Meanwhile, cut up cold butter into cubes and place in separate bowl. Place both bowls in freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to chill.
• Remove the butter and flour mixture from freezer. Add chilled butter to the flour mixture, and using the blade attachment, pulse several times or until the butter is roughly the size of peas and distributed evenly throughout the flour mixture.
• Add 2 tablespoons of ice water and pulse several times. Continue to add water (pulsing a few times) until dough just comes together. Depending on moisture and humidity levels, the amount of water that you may need will change.
• Remove dough to a lightly floured countertop and press together with hands. Press into a thick disc, cover tightly in plastic wrap, and allow to chill in fridge for at least 1 to 2 hours (or prepare the day before and chill overnight).
• Blind Bake Tart Dough: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) with a rack in the center position. Set aside a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
• After dough has chilled, remove the dough from fridge and allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Lightly flour a work surface and using rolling pin, roll the dough into a 12 to 13-inch diameter disc, rotating the dough continuously as you go to prevent sticking. Gently fold into quarters and transfer to the tart pan. Carefully press the dough into the sides and corners, without stretching, and roll the rolling pin over top of the pan to trim and remove excess dough. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and allow the dough to chill in the refrigerator for another 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove and line tart dough with foil or parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the beans and parchment and if bottom still does not look completely dry, bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, checking regularly. Allow crust to cool on rack while you prepare the filling ingredients.
• Prepare Filling and Assemble Tart: Combine the minced garlic, finely chopped basil, and olive oil in a small bowl. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Using a mandolin (or sharp knife), slice the zucchini into ⅛-inch round slices and lightly season with salt. Using serrated knife, slice the tomatoes into ¼-inch slices, season lightly on both sides with salt, and place on a layer of paper towels to soak up any excess moisture. Set aside.
• Brush tart shell lightly with basil-garlic oil (there should be leftovers for brushing the vegetables) and distribute the parmesan cheese evenly on top of the oil mixture. Blot the zucchini and tomato slices once again to absorb any excess moisture.
• Starting on the outside edge, layer the zucchini and tomato slices alternately in a circular pattern. Be sure to tightly layer them against each other (as they will shrink once baked). Try to leave the bigger slices for the outside and small slices for the inner circles. Continue until the entire tart shell is filled - you should have two circular rings and can chop up various small pieces of vegetables to fill any center empty space.
• Brush the vegetables generously with remaining basil-garlic oil and season very lightly with salt and pepper. Bake at 400°F (204°C) for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the tomatoes and zucchini are soft and lightly caramelized. Optional (but recommended): Place under the oven broil for 2 to 3 minutes to finish. Watch carefully during this step to avoid burning the crust or vegetables.
• Serve the tart warm or preferably at room temperature. Garnish with basil leaves and a sprinkle of flaky salt, such as Maldon.

FRESH TOMATO AND ZUCCHINI TART

Steps:

• Make the pastry: Blend the cream cheese and the butter.
• Add the flour and salt and mix just until the dough starts to form a ball.
• Sprinkle the chives on a work surface.
• Turn out the dough and knead lightly until the chives are incorporated.
• Pat the dough into a disc about ½ inch thick.
• Wrap and refrigerate for atleast 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature to soften slightly.
• On a well-floured work surface, roll the dough into a 13 to 14 inch round.
• Roll the pastry onto the rolling pin and gently unroll it over an 11 inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Fit the dough evenly into the pan without stretching.
• Trim the overhanging dough to 1 inch from the rim.
• Fold the excess dough over and press it into the side of the pan.
• Refrigerate for 20 minutes, or until firm.
• Preheat the oven to 400F.
• Line the chilled tart shell with foil and weigh down with pie weights or dried beans.
• Bake for 15 minutes.
• Remove foil and weights and bake 10 minutes longer, or until just set and golden.
• Transfer to a rack to cool completely; then remove the fluted rim and place the shell on a serving platter.
• Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, stir together the olives, anchovies and capers.
• Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the baked shell.
• Starting at the edge, layer the tomato slices in overlapping, concentric circles.
• Season generously with lots of freshly-ground black pepper and salt.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet.
• Add the garlic and stir, over medium-high heat, for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
• Add the zucchini, season with salt and pepper and stir until softened slightly, about 1 minute.
• Spoon the zucchini over the tomatoes and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
• Serve at room temperature.

EASY ZUCCHINI, TOMATO, AND CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Remove the puff pastry from the package and let thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until no longer frozen but still cool.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook 5 minutes, or until the onion is slightly tender. Stir in the zucchini and saute just until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Mix in the drained tomatoes and raise the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring often, until the zucchini is tender but not mushy and the juices have evaporated. Let cool.
• Lightly butter a dark-colored 9-inch tart pan with a removable rim or a glass pie plate. On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry into an 11-inch square. Fit it into the tart pan or pie plate. Trim off the overhanging pieces of pastry with scissors. Refrigerate the crust, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or up to 8 hours, covered.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Stir in the cheese, salt, pepper, and cooled vegetables. Spoon the mixture into the tart pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is brown and a knife inserted in the center of the tart comes out clean. Remove the outer rim of the tart pan. Let the tart cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes before slicing. It is best to serve this tart very warm rather than piping hot.

BASIL TOMATO TART

Steps:

• Place crust in a 9" pie pan, flute edge and press bottom with a fork.
• Pre-bake according to directions.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
• Cool on a wire rack.
• Cut tomatoes into wedges; drain on paper towels.
• Arrange tomato atop melted cheese in the pie shell.
• In a food processor bowl, combine basil and garlic.
• Process till coarsely chopped and sprinkle over tomatoes.
• Combine remaining mozzarella, mayonnaise, parmesan and pepper.
• Spoon over basil mixture, spreading evenly to cover the top.
• Bake in a 375 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or till top is golden and bubbly.
• Serve warm.
• Makes 8 appetizer or 4 main dish servings.
• Leftovers are even better.
• Serve at room temperature and DO NOT reheat.

TOMATO TART WITH BASIL CRUST

Steps:

• To make the crust, place the tomato paste, basil, butter, egg, sugar, baking powder, salt and pepper in a food processor. Pulse until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides. Add 1/2 cup of flour and process just until incorporated. Add the remaining flour and pulse just until dough is crumbly. Press the dough together with your hands. Divide in half and shape each piece into a rectangle that is 3 or 4 inches wide. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each piece of dough to a rectangle slightly larger than 12 by 5 inches. Trim to 12 by 5, preferably using a fluted pastry cutter. Place side by side on the baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour before baking.
• To make the filling, place the cream of wheat in a bowl. Bring the tomato juice to a boil and whisk into the cereal. Stir in the Parmesan. Mix in the oil, vinegar, garlic and celery. Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Uncover the baking sheet and bake the crusts until lightly browned, about 20 minutes.
• To serve, preheat the broiler. Spread half of the filling over each crust. Overlap the tomatoes in rows over the filling. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil over each one. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Place 4 inches under the heat source and broil until the cheese is browned and the tarts are heated through, about 5 minutes, watching carefully. Slice into 4 or 6 servings, sprinkle with basil and serve immediately.

ZUCCHINI BASIL TART

Steps:

• Place the zucchin& tomatoes on paper towels and salt to allow them to lose fluid (15 minutes) Meanwhile heat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Puree the basil.
• Add riccotta& eggs, mix (don't puree).
• Add mozzarella mix until just combined.
• Line the pie crust with the drained zucchini slices.
• Spoon the basil mixture over Top with the tomatoe slices, brush tomatoes with oil.
• Bake 40-50 minutes, after 30 take out of the oven and sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese, return to oven and finish baking.
• Let stand 15 minutes, garnish with basil sprigs.

ZUCCHINI TART WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Roll out pastry on floured surface to 1/8-inch-thick square. Trim pastry edges to form 13-inch round. Transfer to 11-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Fold in overhang to form double-thick sides. Pierce with fork. Cover; chill 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 425°F Line pastry with foil; fill with beans or pie weights. Bake pastry until sides are set, about 20 minutes. Remove foil and beans. Bake crust until bottom is golden brown, pressing with back of fork if bubbles form, about 8 minutes. Cool 5 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 400°F Sprinkle mozzarella over bottom of crust. Top with 6 tablespoons Parmesan, tomatoes, basil, green onions, and oregano. Arrange zucchini rounds in concentric circles to cover top of tart. Whisk eggs, half and half, salt, and pepper in medium bowl. Pour mixture into tart. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• Bake tart until custard is set and crust is golden brown, about 35 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.