Recipe Thursday – Heirloom Tomato and Basil Tart

Its tomato sesaon!  Here’s an easy tart recipe to serve as an appetizer or a quick main dish.

Heirloom Tomato and Basil Tart

Ingredients:

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts* see Cook’s Note
1 garlic clove, peeled
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
1/2 to 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

2 medium (12 ounces) heirloom or 4 plum tomatoes, cut into 1/8-inch thick slices
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Kosher salt

Crust –
1 (9-inch) refrigerated pie crust (recommended: Pillsbury)

Directions:
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.

*Cook’s Note: To toast pine nuts, place on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 8 to 10 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven until lightly browned.

Total Time: 39 min
Prep: 12 min
Inactive: 20 min
Cook: 7 min

Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Level: Easy
Recipe courtesy of foodnetwork.com and Giada De Laurentiis