I believe the last time I entertained properly was for LeeLee’s first birthday – when the funds aren’t there the fun’s not there if you know what I mean but, Mom’s friend Cindy was coming to town and suddenly we were having a get together of four (make that 5) bloggers, all of whom love good food and to boot there was a Tablescaping gig going on in Blogland…my inner foodie was itchin’ for some new kitchen creations…
I don’t know which was more fun; preparing for my guests or actually entertaining them. Savvy City Farmer, Farm Girl Cyn, Frey Girl 4 Life, Amélie’s Fabulous Destiny and of course Moi gathered around the table and though we did not break bread we did cut into two amazing tarts and one to die for cake. This would be a never ending post (even more so than some of my others) if I posted all three recipes so I will start with the one that has been requested by Farm Girl Cyn and I will let you fine ladies choose which one you would like next.
As you can see this was a riot of an afternoon . Our bellies laughed and our taste buds danced! I dream of cooking for people every day so this was so fun to exercise some of that energy. Who wants to come over next? I could get used to this!!!
Tomato Tarte (adapted from Gourmet Magazine 2001)
You will need:
For the Crust
1 1/4 Cups organic unbleached flour
3/4 stick homemade or organic sweet cream butter cut into small cubes
2 tablespoons cold shortening
2 tablespoons Parmesan or Romano cheese (I chose Romano)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
I think you will find that this would not be a disaster if you used rice flour to keep it gluten free
For the filling:
3/4 pound of fresh mozzarella, not unsalted and very thinly sliced
2 lbs mixed heirloom tomatoes (Since it’s not really tomato season I used 3 regular tomatoes and a package of colorful ones to give the presentation I was looking for)
Blend together flour, butter, shortening, Parmesan cheese, pepper and salt in a bowl of in your Cuisinart, pulsing. Do so until mixture resembles course meal with some pea size lumps. Gently squeeze it, if it does not hold together without falling apart add a little more water.
I tell you what, I am so impatient and I routinely add more water than I should but it always works out in the end. Keep working til you get the consistency you are looking for but don’t abuse your dough or it will become tough!
Work the dough with the heal of your hand once or twice if the fat does not look distributed then gather it into a ball, pat it to a disc and chill for one hour the fridge (wrapped in plastic wrap).
Preheat oven to 375. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about a 12 inch round and fit into a 9″ tart pan with removable sides. Roll rolling pin over the edges to trim the dough and make it flush with the trim. Prick shell with a fork.
Line the shell with foil and fill with pie weights or rice. (I LOVE my pie weights and don’t know what I ever did without them!) Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and weights and bake until golden. About 15 minutes more. Cool.
Remove the sides (and bottom if you can) and place the shell on your platter if you can restrain yourself and not eat the entire thing. Arrange one third of the mozzarella in the bottom of the shell and spread 1/3 of the pesto on it. Arrange one third of the tomato slices…lather, rinse, repeat.
Season with salt and pepper and just imagine this baby with the tomatoes from your garden this summer!
I made this in honor of Cindy who I know loves tomatoes, she took a bite and said, “Oh! It’s like summer in a tart!”
Bon Appetit!
It all looks so delicious! Love the photos. Looks like love abounds!
All I can say is Yuuuuuuuuum! The picture of your baby at the dinnertable is amazing! Thanks for answering all my emails doll face!
Amelie has her own blog…how cute! It looks like a great time was had by all. You are a natural at entertaining.
-Stephanie
Merci Bien! It was the most fun I have had in a LONG time! The food was just a bonus, tho…it’s the fellowship that was the best!!!
Can’t wait to try that tomato tarte!
I am thinking the cake next. No, wait. The onion tarte. No….I can’t decide. Flip a coin?
I love all the photos and meeting some new bloggers. Lovely table setting and gorgeous food, too! I think the berry cake sounds fab so I’ll vote for that one…
XOXO
Joni
PS: Sending you some mail tomorrow!
Being a fan of both Allison Kraus (saw her live and she was JUST as awesome) and also loving fresh food, well, all I have to say is I’m glad we don’t live closer, because my family wouldn’t ever see me 😉
a very French Country looking atmosphere….LOVE IT!
Just gorgeous! Nothing better than good friends and good food shared together.
🙂
Oh yum! That thing looks awesome!
All the best,
Allison
Looks delicious. I think I need to try all of your recipes and stop with my same boring meals. I love tomatoes so can’t wait to try this recipe. I would love to have the recipe for the Balsamic Onion Tart with Goat Cheese. It looks like you all had such a great time sharing wonderful food and stories!
Oh what lovely dishes, lovely setting, lovely ladies. Enjoy your fabulous weekend.
Hugs ~
Alexandra
Looks delicious and like you all had a great time, but don’t you hate tomatoes?
情趣用品,情趣,伊莉論壇,sogo論壇,台灣論壇,plus論壇,plus,痴漢論壇,維克斯論壇,情色論壇,性愛,性感影片,校園正妹牆,正妹,AV,AV女優,SEX,走光,a片,a片免費看,A漫,h漫,成人漫畫,免費A片,色情網站,色情遊戲,情色文學,麗的色遊戲,色情,色情影片,同志色教館,色色網,色遊戲,自拍,本土自拍,kk俱樂部,後宮電影院,後宮電影,85cc免費影城,85cc免費影片,免費影片,免費小遊戲,免費遊戲,小遊戲,遊戲,好玩遊戲,好玩遊戲區,A片,情趣用品,遊戲區,史萊姆好玩遊戲,史萊姆,遊戲基地,線上遊戲,色情遊戲,遊戲口袋,我的遊戲口袋,小遊戲區,手機遊戲,貼圖,A片下載,成人影城,愛情公寓,情色貼圖,情色,色情網站,色情遊戲,色情小說,情色文學,色情,aio交友愛情館,色情影片,臺灣情色網,寄情築園小遊戲,情色論壇,嘟嘟情人色網,情色視訊,愛情小說,言情小說,一葉情貼圖片區,情趣用品