Cherry Tomato Polenta Tartlets With Basil Mayonnaise Recipes

CHERRY TOMATO MASCARPONE TARTLETS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
• Stir the mascarpone, Parmesan and egg yolk together in a bowl with a large pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
• Unroll the pie crusts and cut out 8 rounds with a 4 1/2-inch round cookie cutter. Lay out the rounds on a work surface and drop a level tablespoon of the cheese mixture onto the center of each, spreading just enough to leave a 1/4-inch border. Arrange the tomatoes on top of the cheese in the center of the tarts (about 6 halves per tart), leaving about a 1/4-inch cheese border. Fold and crimp the edges of the crust just over the cheese but leaving the tomatoes uncovered. Top the tomatoes with the shallot and thyme, drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Transfer the tarts to the prepared baking pan and bake until the crust is golden brown and the tomatoes are wilted and lightly browned in spots, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CHERRY TOMATO POLENTA TARTLETS WITH BASIL MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Combine mayonnaise, basil, and lemon juice in processor. Blend until smooth (some basil bits will remain). Season mayonnaise with salt and pepper. Transfer to small bowl, cover, and refrigerate. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Rinse 2 mini muffin pans (12 cups per pan) with cold water; shake off excess water. Mix tomatoes, garlic, and oil in medium bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let stand 15 minutes. Arrange 4 tomato quarters in bottom of each prepared muffin cup.
• Bring 2 1/2 cups water and salt to boil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to medium and cook until polenta thickens, whisking almost constantly, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue to cook until polenta is tender, whisking often, about 15 minutes longer. Whisk in cheese and butter. Season polenta to taste with pepper.
• Spoon enough polenta into muffin cups to cover tomatoes and fill cups. Using wet fingertips, press polenta firmly to compact. Cover pans with waxed paper; let stand until polenta is firmly set, at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
• Cut around each tartlet to loosen. Turn over muffin pans, releasing tartlets. Arrange, tomato side up, on platter. Top each with dollop of basil mayonnaise. Serve, passing remaining mayonnaise.
• *Sold at Italian markets, natural foods stores, and some supermarkets. If unavailable, substitute an equal amount of regular yellow cornmeal, and cook mixture for about half the time.

BASIL TOMATO TART

Steps:

• Roll pastry to fit a 9-in. tart pan or pie plate; place in pan. Do not prick. Line pastry shell with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. , Bake at 450° for 5 minutes. Remove foil; bake 8 minutes more. Remove from the oven. Reduce heat to 375°. Sprinkle 1/2 cup mozzarella over the hot crust. , Cut each tomato into eight wedges; remove seeds. Arrange over cheese. , In a food processor, process the basil and garlic until coarsely chopped; sprinkle over tomatoes. , Combine mayonnaise, Parmesan, pepper and the remaining mozzarella; spoon over basil. Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is browned and bubbly, 20-25 minutes.

TOMATO BASIL TARTLETS

Steps:

• Special equipment: a 2 1/4-inch round cookie cutter
• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the pastry on a lightly floured work surface. Using the tines of a fork, prick the pastry all over. Using a 2 1/4-inch round cookie cutter, cut out 16 rounds of pastry. Place the pastry rounds on the prepared baking sheet. Lay a piece of parchment paper on top of the pastry rounds. Place another baking sheet directly on top of the parchment paper to keep the pastry even while baking. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden. Remove the top baking sheet and the top piece of parchment paper.
• Spread 1 teaspoon of tapenade on each pastry round. Place about 1 tablespoon of cheese on top. Arrange 2 pieces of tomato on the cheese. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese has melted. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chopped basil on top.
• Transfer the tartlets to a platter and garnish with a pinch of fleur de sel.

CHERRY TOMATO TART

Steps:

• Roll out pie dough into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Gently transfer dough to a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom; press to fit snugly. Trim dough so there's 1/2-inch overhang on all sides. Gently fold edges of dough under to create a slight lip of dough over the top of the pan on all sides.
• Prick the bottom of the crust several times with a fork, being sure to not puncture all the way through. Place the prepared crust into the freezer until completely chilled, at least 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook until golden brown, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
• Mix Gouda, basil, mayonnaise, Cheddar, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, oregano, pepper, nutmeg, and salt together in a medium bowl. Stir in the cooled onion and garlic until completely combined.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Remove tart pan from the freezer. Gently spread the cheese mixture evenly over the bottom. Place cherry tomatoes evenly over the top and gently press down. Place tart on a large baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the crust is golden brown, cheeses are bubbly, and most of the tomatoes have burst, 55 to 65 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes. Gently remove the tart from the pan and place on a serving platter. Serve warm.

SIMPLE POLENTA WITH SAUTEED CHERRY TOMATOES AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• For the polenta:.
• Bring water to a boil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Once boiling, add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and pour the polenta into the water in a very slow stream from a measuring cup, while stirring in a circular motion with a wooden spoon. Make sure to scrape the bottom and corners of the pot well.
• Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover. Vigorously stir the polenta once every 5 minutes, making sure to scrape clean the bottom and corners of the pot.
• Continue cooking until the polenta has lost its raw cornmeal taste and becomes soft and smooth, about 30 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan and butter and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• For the tomatoes and mozzarella:.
• During the final 5 minute of cooking the polenta, heat the oil, garlic, pepper flakes and sugar in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant and sizzling (about 1 min.).
• Stir in the tomatoes and cook until they just begin to wilt, about 1 min.; season with salt and pepper to taste and set skillet off the heat.
• Spoon the polenta into the individual serving bowls and top with the mozzarella.
• Spoon the tomato mixture with any accumulated juices over the top of the served polenta, and sprinkle with basil before serving.