Our Square Hydrangea Platter
Our southern readers may have seen peek tomato season come and go already. However, folks up north are enjoying their tomatoes fresh off the vine. Here are some of our favorite tomato recipes that are just perfect for entertaining.
Bobby Flays Grilled Flatbread with Ricotta Cheese, Fresh Tomatoes, Oregano and Roasted Garlic Oil
Roasted Garlic Oil:
1/2 cup olive oil
6 cloves roasted garlic
1 recipe Flatbread, recipe follows
1 (8-ounce) container ricotta cheese, drained
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 plum tomatoes, very thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chiffonade fresh basil
Roasted Garlic Oil:
Place oil and garlic in a blender and blend until smooth. Strain.
Flatten flatbread dough, gently press into a large rectangle, brush liberally with olive oil, and throw on grill. Grill on both sides until golden brown. Spread 1 side with ricotta, sprinkle with salt and pepper, scatter tomatoes over, drizzle with Roasted Garlic Oil, and garnish with basil and more freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.
Flatbread:
1 1/2 cups warm water (105 to 110 degrees F)
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive or canola oil, plus more for bowl
Mix water and yeast in a large bowl and let stand 5 minutes to proof. Gradually pour in 2 cups of the flour and stir to incorporate. Mix for about 1 minute to form a sponge. Let stand, covered, for at least an hour.
Put sponge in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the dough hook, add the salt and oil, then add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a dough. Remove from bowl and knead. Place in a clean oiled bowl and let rise, slowly, about 2 1/2 hours. Divide dough into 4 balls, if desired, let rise again for 1/2 hour, and then roll out as desired.
Yield: 4 individual flatbreads or 1 large flatbread
Ina Gartens Roasted Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 12 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise, cores and seeds removed
- 4 tablespoons good olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Arrange the tomatoes on a sheet pan, cut sides up, in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle the garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper over the tomatoes. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until the tomatoes are concentrated and beginning to caramelize. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Michael Chiarello’sHeirloom Tomato Panzanella
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ripe heirloom tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and diced
- 1/4 cup minced red onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
, preferably gray salt - Several grinds black pepper
- Panzanella Croutons, recipe follows
- 2 cups trimmed arugula
- Wedge Parmesan, for shaving
Directions
Drain the tomatoes in a sieve to remove excess liquid while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, basil, tarragon, salt, and pepper. Add the croutons and toss well.
Divide tomato mixture among 4 plates. Top each serving with an equal amount of the arugula. With a vegetable peeler, shave the Parmesan over the salad. Serve immediately.
Michael’s Notes: I’ve used basil and tarragon here, but you can use any herbs you like. Parsley and marjoram come to mind as good alternatives.
Panzanella Croutons:
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
6 cups crustless cubed day-old bread (1/2-inch cubes)
Sea salt, preferably gray salt, and freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and preheat a cookie sheet in it.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until it foams. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the bread cubes and toss to coat with the butter. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the bread to a baking sheet. Immediately sprinkle with the cheese and toss again while warm to melt the cheese.
Bake, stirring once or twice, until the croutons are crisp and lightly colored on the outside but still soft within, about 8 or 9 minutes. Let cool. Store in an airtight container.
Michael’s Notes: I use a serrated knife to remove the crust from day-old bread, then switch to a chef’s knife to cut the cubes because it doesn’t tear the bread. Also note that I recommend grating the Parmesan finely so that it will stick to the bread better.
Yield: about 6 cups
All recipes via the Food Network.
