Tomato and Mozzarella Tart

Categories: Appetizer, not tried

Ingredients

• 1 box frozen puff pastry (Pepperidge Farm, 1.1 lb, thawed in box in refrigerator overnight)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 oz. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 lb. plum tomatoes (about 3 to 4 medium), cored and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 2 medium cloves of garlic, minced or pressed
• 2 T extra-virgin olive oil
• ground black pepper
• 8 ounces whole-milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 T basil, fresh and shredded

Directions

1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Dust work surface with flour and unfold both pieces puff pastry onto work surface. From 1 large sheet with border, using beaten egg as directed. (Overlap by 1 inch, smooth out seam, cut 2 long strips — the rest are short.) Sprinkle Parmesan evenly over shell; using fork, uniformly and thoroughly poke holes in shell. Bake 13 to 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees; continue to bake until golden brown and crisp, 13 to 15 minutes longer. Transfer to wire rack; increase oven temperature to 425 degrees.

2. While shell bakes, place tomato slices in single layer on double layer paper towels and sprinkle evenly with 1/2 tsp. salt. Let stand 30 minutes. Place second double layer paper towels on top of tomatoes and press firmly to dry tomatoes. Combine garlic, olive oil, and pinch each salt and pepper in small bowl; set aside.

3. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over warm baked shell. Shingle tomato slices widthwise on top of cheese; brush tomatoes with garlic oil. Bake until shell is deep golden brown and cheese is melted; 15 to 17 minutes. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes, sprinkle with basil, slide onto cutting board or serving platter, cut into pieces, and serve.

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