Tomato & Mozzarella Tart

By mariannefeldman

cooksillustrated

CHERRY TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA TART

Serves 6 to 8. Published May 1, 2005.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
Tired of tomato tarts with soggy crusts and long preparation time, we developed a tomato tart recipe that would have a solid bottom crust and great vine-ripened flavor. Our secrets for a great tomato tart recipe? We used a two-step baking method for a flaky yet rigid crust, then "waterproofed" it with egg wash and layers of two kinds of cheese. We salted the tomatoes for 30 minutes to remove excess juice, then gently pressed them with paper towels. Baking the tart at 425 degrees quickly melted the cheese and preserved the tomatoes' meaty texture.

To make a simple, savory tart any time of the year, we replace plum tomatoes with cherry tomatoes (which are pretty reliably sweet year-round). Thawing the frozen puff pastry in the refrigerator overnight will help prevent cracking while unfolding it. Be sure to use a low-moisture supermarket mozzarella sold in block form, not fresh water-packed mozzarella. If you prefer to do some advanced preparation, the tart shell can be prebaked, cooled to room temperature, wrapped in plastic wrap, and kept at room temperature for up to two days before being topped and baked with the mozzarella and tomatoes.

Ingredients

• INGREDIENTS
• Tart Shell
• Flour for work surface for work surface
• 1 box frozen puff pastry (Pepperidge Farm, 1.1 pounds), thawed in box in refrigerator overnight
• 1 large egg , beaten
• 2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)
• Cherry Tomatoes
• 1 1/2 pounds cherry tomatoes (2 pints), each tomato halved pole to pole
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 3 large cloves garlic , sliced thin
• Garlic Oil, Cheese, and Garnish
• 2 medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces whole-milk mozzarella cheese , shredded (2 cups)
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves

Preparation

Step 1

INSTRUCTIONS
1. For the tart shell: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Dust work surface with flour and unfold both pieces puff pastry onto work surface. Follow illustrations 1 through 6 (below) to form 1 large sheet with border, using beaten egg as directed. Sprinkle Parmesan evenly over shell; using fork, uniformly and thoroughly poke holes in shell. Bake 13 to 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees; continue to bake until golden brown and crisp, 13 to 15 minutes longer. Transfer to wire rack.

2. For the cherry tomatoes: While shell bakes, in medium bowl, gently toss tomatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper flakes, black pepper, sugar, vinegar, and garlic; set aside. Spread tomatoes in even layer on rimmed baking sheet (about 17 by 12 inches) and, after removing tart shell from oven, roast tomatoes until skins are slightly shriveled (tomatoes should retain their shape) about 30 minutes. (Do not stir tomatoes during roasting.)

3. For the garlic oil: While tomatoes roast, combine garlic, olive oil, and pinch each salt and pepper in small bowl; set aside.

4. To finish the tart: Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over warm (or cool, if made ahead) baked shell. With slotted spoon, transfer cherry tomatoes from roasting pan and scatter on top of cheese; brush tomatoes with garlic oil. Bake until shell is deep golden brown and cheese is melted, 15 to 17 minutes. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes, sprinkle with basil, slide onto cutting board or serving platter, cut into pieces, and serve.

STEP-BY-STEP
Forming the Tart Shell


1. Brush egg along one edge of one sheet of puff pastry. Overlap with second sheet of dough by 1 inch and press to seal pieces together.


2. With rolling pin, smooth out seam. Dough should measure about 18 by 9 inches. Use pizza wheel or knife to trim edges straight.


3. With pizza wheel or knife, cut 1-inch strip from long side of dough. Cut another 1-inch strip from same side.


4. Cut 1-inch strip from short side of dough. Cut another 1-inch strip from same side. Transfer pieces of dough to parchment-lined baking sheet and brush with egg.


5. Gently press long strips of dough onto each long edge of dough and brush with egg. Gently press short strips of dough onto each short edge and brush with egg.


6. With pizza wheel or knife, trim excess dough from corners.