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Heirloom Tomato and Pimento Cheese Tart with Cornmeal Crust by Baking The Goods

Heirloom Tomato Pimento Cheese Tart


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Description

This super savory Heirloom Tomato Pimento Cheese Tart is inspired by a southern favorite. Made with a warmly peppered, crisp cornmeal tart shell filled with an extra creamy, sweetly spiced pimento cheese filling and topped with a stunning array of summery fresh heirloom tomatoes. It's like a savory vacation to the southern states!


Ingredients

Units

BLACK PEPPER CORNMEAL CRUST

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1/4" cubes
  • 3/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup fine or medium ground cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons ice cold vodka
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

PIMENTO CHEESE FILLING

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/4 cup chopped pimento peppers, from jar - drained and patted dry
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped chives
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or plain paprika
  • a few dashes hot sauce, a vinegar forward hot sauce like Louisiana or Crystal is a nice option

FINISHING TOPPINGS

  • 2-3 large heirloom tomatoes
  • 2-3 medium heirloom tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
  • drizzle of olive oil
  • freshly snipped chives
  • freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

BLACK PEPPER CORNMEAL CRUST

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, black pepper and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
  3. Add the butter to the flour mixture and use a pastry blender or your hands to squish the butter in with the dry ingredients until pea sized granules start to from. 
  4. Slowly add the ice cold vodka and use a fork to mix until hydrated. Then mix in the olive oil until just combined. The dough should be a little rough and shaggy but hold together when squeezed in your hand.
  5. Transfer the dough into a 10" removable bottom tart pan and press the dough into the pan evenly and up the sides. Prick the bottom of the shell with a fork.
  6. Line with parchment paper or foil and fill with beans or rice to weigh the dough down. Blind bake for 15-20 minutes until the edges begin to turn a golden brown. Remove the foil filled with beans and bake the crust for another 5 minutes until the edges are a deep golden brown and the bottom is fully baked and golden. Set aside and allow to cool. 

PIMENTO CHEESE FILLING

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, blend the cream cheese and yogurt together until light and fluffy. Mix in the remaining ingredients until blended. 
  2. Gently transfer into the cooled tart shell then use a small offset spatula to smooth out the the filling and spread it to the sides. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours to allow the filling to set.

ASSEMBLE & TOP THE TART

  1. While the tart filling sets up, prep the tomatoes. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Slice the large, medium and a few of the small tomatoes into 1/4" - 1/2" thick slices. Lay the tomato slices on the lined baking sheet and sprinkle liberally with sea salt - this helps to draw the moisture out of the tomatoes so it doesn't soak into your tart. Allow to sit at least an hour.
  2. Once the filling it set, layer with sliced tomatoes. Start by shingling the larger sliced heirloom tomatoes on the bottom, then layer on the smaller heirloom and dot the top with the cherry tomatoes.
  3. Drizzle on some olive oil, sprinkle with fresh chopped chives and add a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper. Slice and serve!

Notes

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Tart
  • Cuisine: Southern