Tomato and Onion Tart

Every year I plant tomatoes in my garden. To be truthful, every year tomatoes plant themselves as volunteers in my garden. Usually, I have so many I give tomato starts to anyone who promises to give them a good home.  I especially look forward to these late season, perfectly ripe tomatoes begging me to bake them into Tomato and Onion Tarts.

 

 

This recipe pairs rich, caramelized sweet onion with summer ripe tomatoes on top of a flaky buttery crust for a well-balanced, delectable delight.  This tomato tart is just right for brunch, lunch or a light dinner. I like to serve them barely warm with a big green salad on the side. They’re so easy to make yet elegant enough for company.

 

You’ll need to slice lots of tomatoes and onions; I recommend using a mandolin slicer to get even slices, very quickly. However, you could certainly do this with a sharp knife.

 

Tomato and Caramelized Onion Tart

 

Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Yield: 2 tarts – 8 to 12 servings

 

The caramelized onion adds a deep, savory flavor to the tart. Remember, low and slow is the way to go when you caramelize onions. You can’t rush this or you’ll end out with burned onions and that makes no one happy. 

 

What You’ll Need:

 

• 1 tablespoon oil – olive or vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 large sweet onions –thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
• Salt and pepper
• 1 package refrigerated or frozen pie crust – or make you own (show off)
• 6 to 10 ripe tomatoes depending on size – sliced
• 2 cups cheese – I used Italian blend but cheddar is also divine

 

Here’s How:

 

1. To begin, in a large skillet on medium-low heat, warm the oil with the butter then add the sliced onions. Slowly cook the onions, stirring often, until they are completely soft and a light golden brown. Drizzle with honey or sugar and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. This takes at least 40 minutes so get this started first.
2. Meanwhile, pre-heat your oven to 400°. Follow the instructions to pre-bake the pie crust. Be sure to dock (poke with a fork) the crust before baking. If you made your own – press pie crust on bottom and up sides of two 9-inch shallow pie pans. Bake for 9 minutes or until piecrust is lightly browned; set aside.
3. Slice the tomatoes and place them on layers of paper towels to drain some of the moisture. Don’t get so engrossed in your tomatoes that you forget to stir the onions. Set aside six or eight particularly pretty slices to place on top of the tart.
4. To assemble – spread ½ cup cheese on the bottom of each crust. Divide the onions evenly between the tarts. Next add the sliced tomatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Divide the remainder of the cheese between the tarts and top with your reserved pretty slices.

   

   

   

   

   
5. Bake at 400° for 18 to 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest at least 15 minutes before cutting.

 

 

Let the record show – I don’t put bacon in everything I cook. But you certainly could. *wink!*

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