There is really nothing like summer produce at my local NJ farmer’s market. As soon as I walk in, the smell of fresh basil fills my senses. The tomatoes look like gigantic red jewels. So I took full advantage of that gorgeous bounty this week when I made a summer perfect tomato basil tart. The filling with all of that lovely produce baked inside my homemade herb crust was a match made in culinary heaven!
It smelled so incredible right out of the oven and tasted even better. That flaky herb crust was sensational with the bubbly, cheesy filling. I don’t think it gets much more summery and yummy than this tomato basil tart. Hope you all love it! xoxo
This is such a summer ready, amazing tomato basil tart loaded with flavor. The flaky, buttery herbed crust just makes it!
- 2 cups all-purpose flour plus additional for bench flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon herbs de provence
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks cold butter cubed
- 1/4 cup ice water
- cooking spray for the tart pan
- 4 ounces fontina cheese freshly grated
- 3 whole tomatoes thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 8 whole basil leaves gently torn into pieces
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First, make the crust. Set up a food processor and combine the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, herbs de provence and salt in its bowl. Pulse it a few times to aerate the dry ingredients. Add in the cold, cubed butter and pulse it a few more times until the mixture is really pebbly. Finally, run the processor while you pour in the ice water until it comes together into a ball of dough. Transfer it to a sheet of plastic wrap and press it out into a disc on it. Wrap it up and refrigerate it for 30 minutes. When the 30 minutes are up, pre-heat the oven to 350 and get out a 9 inch tart pan with removable bottom. Spray the tart pan really well with cooking spray.
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Take the chilled disc of dough and turn it out onto a clean, well floured surface. Roll it out into a large, thin disc that will more than fit into the tart pan. Press it into the tart pan really firmly and remove the excess. Place it in the freezer for 5 minutes to chill it again before it hits the oven. Then line the dough shell with foil and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Place the tart pan on a sheet tray to make it easier to maneuver and blind bake the shell for 20 minutes. Take it out and remove the foil and pie weights. Bake it for another 10 minutes to crisp up the bottom.
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When the shell is done crisping on the bottom, fill it with half of the fontina cheese on the bottom. Then layer the tomatoes in so that they fill every nook and cranny. Sprinkle the basil and garlic on top of the tomatoes, followed by the remaining cheese. Bake the tart until it is really bubbly, for about 30 minutes. Let it cool for about 15 minutes, then gently remove the outer tart shell while you hold the bottom. Slice and serve immediately! Enjoy!!
Tomato and basil just screams summer! I love this recipe and look forward to trying it! My family will be thrilled with it too!
Thanks so much, Jen!! Please let me know what you think when you try it :-).
The whole thing sounds amazing, but especially that herbed crust!
Thanks very much, Jordan!! It was my favorite part of the tart :-).
Oh yummy and love me some tomato and basil – two of my favourite ingredients. What more can I ask for? Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Two of my favorite ingredients too! Thanks very much for the kind feedback :-).
Yummm! I love basil so this sounds amazing! Also, the crust looks divine!
Thank you so much!!
Yum! This looks delicious, I love anything with basil!
Thank you so much!!