Margherita Tart
There’s something to be said about a cookbook that has me salivating over the savory section. Such is the case with Tart Love. Flipping through the pages, gazing at all the stunning images, I found myself wanting to dog ear just about every one of them (however, one does not “dog ear” such a gorgeous book, ‘twould be blasphemy!)
Maybe I’ll just bake my way through the book, one by one.
Starting with this Margherita tart. Which we gobbled up. Quickly and enthusiastically. And then ate the leftovers for breakfast.
While I loved everything about this tart, the one thing that blew me away was the crust. I have a record or producing some pretty uncooperative pie crusts. Crumbly. Oozing. Shrinky-dinky. Just plain ugly. But this crust gets a standing ovation from me. A few whirrs in the food processor followed by a quick nap in the fridge. Easy to work with and flaky as all get out. I’m in love. Tart love!
Margherita Tomato Tart
Yield: one 11-or-12-inch tart
Ingredients:
For Crust:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
3 tablespoons ice water, or more/less as neededFor Filling:
2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
1 1/2 cups whole milk ricotta
1 teaspoon half and half
zest from 1 small lemon
1 egg yolk
2 scallions, chopped
2 large ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper, to tasteDirections:
To prepare crust, combine flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 10 to 12 times to combine. Add butter and pulse until butter is incorporated and mixture resembles coarse sand, 40 to 50 quick, successive pulses.
Add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing to combine. When the pastry begins to come together into a big, messy ball, stop. It's done. Do not add any more water than absolutely necessary.
Turn out pastry onto a lightly floured surface, and quickly shape into a disk. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
Remove pastry from fridge and roll into a 1/4-inch thick disk. Carefully transfer to an 11 or 12-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Trim edges, folding over excess dough to form a slightly raised edge. Crimp as desired. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
To prepare the filling, combine oregano, basil, ricotta, half-and-half, lemon zest, and egg yolk in a mixing bowl; whisk to combine. Fold in the scallions and season with salt and pepper.
Remove the crust from the refrigerator, and spread filling into the bottom, smoothing it into an even layer with an offset spatula. Arrange the sliced tomatoes on top of the filling, overlapping slightly in a concentric circle pattern. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.
Bake for 50 minutes or until the pastry is golden and the tomatoes are slightly shrunken but still slightly juicy. Increase heat to 400ºF and continue to bake another 10 minutes, or until any excess juice has baked off. Remove from oven and cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
Recipe from Tart Love.
save
print
Don’t Miss a Meal!
Subscribe to receive new posts from L&OO in your email box:
Wow! This sounds amazing Lindsay. That crust is simply perfect!
Reply
It looks almost too pretty to eat. Emphasis in the ‘almost’.
Reply
Wow, I looooooove tomatoes, especially baked. And I bet this tart is just phenomenal.
Reply
A beautiful tart. I am imagining a slice with a dressed green salad. Mmmmmmm :P
Reply
That tart crust does look perfect and it’s such a wonderful combination of flavours. Love!
Reply
I made mini ones and they were super tasty.
Gorgeous tart, love the flavors
Reply
I. KNOW. Helene gave me the book over the weekend for letting her stay with me, and it’s GORGEOUS. I still can’t believe I’m not able to eat the pages.
I tried.
It doesn’t work.
Reply
that is a beautiful crust!
Reply
After that description of the crust, I have already printed this recipe out! I definitely want to make this one on the weekend so I can really enjoy it!
Reply
fantastic- perfect for the season
Reply
this is definitely on my menu for next week!
Reply
When I saw the title, I was so excited because I was thinking sweet tart. I have a margarita tart on my site made with a pretzel crust & lime curd laced with tequila. But you’re right, I should eat savory margaritas. At least until the sun goes down ;)
Reply
This looks great! Can’t wait to try it … I have a tart pan that needs breaking in!
Reply
so, so beautiful. i have a tart pan that i haven’t used yet! but tomatoes are officially gone for this year. guess i need to make a fall tart. or chocolate :)
Reply
Beautiful! Looks absolutely delicious. Great way to use up the last perfect tomatoes of the year!
Reply
It’s hard to beat a flaky homemade tart, warm from the oven. Yours looks beautiful and love the combination of flavours. Yum!
Reply
hello. i’m from poland and i really want to make this recipe, but i don’t understand what ’1 teaspoon half and half’ means. could you tell me?
can use different chees than ricotta?
i would be very grateful.
Reply
Half-and-half is a dairy product about half way between heavy cream and whole milk. You could use a combination of cream/milk instead or even all cream, I think it’d work just fine.
Do you think it’s possible to replace the butter with some oil (I was thinking canola) to bake the crust?
Reply
No, I would not substitute oil for the butter. Butter is really what makes the crust flaky and delicious. Oil would make it… just… bleh.
Hey so I just made this…but I had a question. The ingredients say oregano and thyme but then the directions say oregano and basil. I used thyme but which is it? Thanks! :)
Reply
Interesting, nice catch! I think this recipe would work with just about any herb! Actually, I think I used all 3 in mine. :)