Summer sneaked out alright, but the tomatoes did not. Not here. That is why I love Texas. While we simmer in the summer heat, the fall is the time to really be outside and enjoy, more like what you call “summer” else where.
If you haven’t lived down south, you would not know what I am talking about. Even the plants and the flowers are breathing relief now. The lawns and the trees are greener in a way that almost makes you think spring. But it is not. So please do not raise your eyebrows when I am baking ourselves a tomato tart in fall.
I had bookmarked this recipe from Rosa’s blog and could not wait to make it. The crust sounded really easy and quick to make, the entire recipe had the flavors of Ladenia, which we love, I have not baked a tomato tart all summer and I am still finding good tomatoes at less than a dollar a pound. Those are good enough reasons to make a tomato tart in fall.
The recipe is almost as exact as hers.
Here are the few changes I made;
– added some white poppy seeds to the crust. I had read a recipe some where, do not recollect where about a tart crust having poppy seeds and that remained with me. I thought this one was a good recipe use the poppy seeds. It was good. I loved the tiny little crunch that it added to the crust. I also added some herbs and pepper to the crust.
– I used infused olive oil instead of the unflavored one and used balsamic vinegar instead of balsamic cream.
– I also used fresh rosemary as I could not get hold of fresh basil.
Poppy Seed Crusted Tomato and Onion Tart
(Recipe based on Rosa’s Tomato Tart-Tarte a la Tomate)
Ingredients: (makes a 9 inch tart)
(the ingredients and instructions are same as Rosa’s except for the changes I made)
For The “Shortcrust Pastry”:
- 1 1/6 cup plain all purpose white flour (no self-raising flour)
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt (or as per taste)
- 9 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4-5 tablespoons white poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary leaves
- 1/5 cup ice water, or as much needed to just pull the dough together (the dough should not be sticky)
For The “Filling”:
- 5 medium tomatoes or as many as you need to fill the tart, cut in thin slices
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped
- 6-8 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (I have used the Rosemary Infused Olive Oil)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Sea salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- crushed red pepper
Preparation:The “Shortcrust Pastry”:
Sift the flour and salt in a bowl. Combine the poppy seeds, black pepper and the herbs.
Add the cut chilled butter and rub between the fingers/or use a pastry cutter, until the mixture is flaky. It will start looking like crumbs.
Slowly pour in the ice water, while continuously cutting and stirring the dough with a knife. Stop adding water when the dough is stiff. It should not be sticky or wet. Gather up into a soft ball.
Wrap with a plastic wrap and chill the dough for about half an hour or as much time as it takes to slice and prepare the filling. (original recipe does not chill the dough).
When ready to add the filling and bake, dust the working area and rolling pin with flour and shape the pastry by rolling away from you and always turning the pastry around. Try to toll out a circle.
Place the rolled dough in the tart pan and trim the edges or fold the extra part towards the inside to get a thicker edge
Prick the bottom of the dough with a fork.
Preheat the oven to 400° F.
The Filling:Arrange the sliced onions and tomatoes on the tart dough; sprinkle the chopped garlic and the rosemary. Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar; sprinkle the salt, pepper and the crushed pepper.
Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes, then lower the temperature to 350° F and bake for another 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, crispy and the tomatoes and the onions have caramelized.
Let cool for about 5 minutes on a rack and serve warm.
Rosa’s Remarks: (I have quoted as it is in her blog)
“Always lift the flour out of the bowl while rubbing; it makes the butter/flour mixture airy.
Be careful not to add too much water as the pastry should not be stick to the touch.
While mixing the water to the flour/butter mixture never work the pastry like a bread dough, otherwise you would end up with a stiff, hard and elastic pastry.”
Enjoy with some wine and company and more pepper sprinkled if you wish.
Related Posts:
Farinata with Grilled Vegetables
Okonomiyaki aka “Japanese Pizza”
Similar Recipes – around the Food World:
That is a gorgeous tart. I’m intrigued by the white poppy seeds; I have never heard of them before.
Soma, this looks soo good. And I particularly like the idea of a poppy seed crust!
I saw it a Rosa blog and love your version also, a savory delight like a special pizza but much better 🙂
Cheers,
Gera
looks lovely n droooooooolworthy soma….love the crust and flavors going in
mmmmm looks so yum nd fresh,..
Soma I wanted to post my comment on your last post yesterday but your comment box was not uploading for some reason or so…Anyway “oi fellow blogger er kirti porlam” raag uthegelo…..ki nirlojjo bhabe apology tao eriye gelo !!
But the height was what Sunita mentioned :that somebody even thought of copying profile matter also LOL….
Love this color of this gorgeous tart…
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
This tart looks and I am sure smells equally gorgeous! I have been enamoured with herbed crusts for tarts ever since I saw the Masterchef episode with thyme flavoured crust. Not able to find vegan butter here and canola oil is so terribly expensive, can’t even think of it. The tomatoes on top are looking so good too! Lovely bright colours – am sure your elves were attracted by that itself!
Glad you are still getting great tomatoes. This tart looks bright and colourful. And yes, more pepper flakes for me!! 🙂
Wow, it is magnificent! Your tart looks perfect and I love your version. I’m glad you liked my recipe. Thanks for blogging about it! 🙂
Cheers,
Rosa
Wonderful tart!!
Damn tempting and beautiful looking tart..
This looks so colourful and yummy! The pics are very very tempting Soma 🙂
The tarts look crispy and spicy, lovely clicks.
I want that fresh looking tomato tart. So so good looking.
WOW! This recipe looks fantastic! I beleve this will have my family oooing and ahhing.
Love the addition of the white poppy seeds, and we all have plenty of tomatoes this time of year. Perfect! Thanks so much for sharing!
EXCELLENT .Love the tomatoes thgh I am yet to try a tart.
I was thinking of ladenia when I started reading your recipe and then I saw that you mentioned it. I just love ladenia.
it looks perfectly yummmmmmm…love tomatoes,love your tart…
Wow, the tart looks sooo good! love the tomatoes & onions…so healthy & delicious!
A gorgeous tart! I would love to find white poppy seeds, very cool!
This would be great with a glass of red wine. Love the poppy seeds in it to give color and crunch.
wonderful !!! Never could imagine before that poppy seeds could be used with such great art !!!
I love the colors on your tart. Perfect for a mid-Fall treat. You have graduated poppy seeds into something very beautiful.
Looks so good. I think I would make it into a pizza since I’ love pizza crust over pie crust.
If you like pizza crust better, the recipe for Ladenia (http://www.ecurry.com/blog/pasta-pizza/ladenia-pizza-from-a-greek-island/) would be perfect for you! I have mentioned this Greek Pizza in the post too.
Rachel allen er show dekhe ami akbar spinach and cheese tart baniechilam. tabe ato bhalo hoechilo khete je chobi tola hoe otheni. ki bhalo hay ei savory tart gulo na? eta mai banabo.
pujoy ki plan? shopping korle kichu?
Hi Soma,
First time here..Lovely blog and a good collection of recipes..Do visit my space sometime.
Gayu
http://ensamayalarangam.blogspot.com
Poppy seeds in the crust sounds delicious! And, yes, I’m loving this ‘fall’ weather lately. It’s been perfect for being outside and bringing the garden back to life!
I wish i could get fresh tomatoes for just a little bit longer…maybe I should move to texas. This tart looks just glorious. I love the poppy seed addition.