Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you go
For 1 tart, 24 cm (9½ inch) in diameter
For the pastry
- 300 g (2⅓ cups) all-purpose flour (plain flour), sifted
- 150 g (⅔ cup) butter or margarine (butter-flavored), at room temperature
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 3-4 Tbsp water
- thyme (or oregano)
For the filling
- 1 large container (about 500 g / 1.1 lb) cherry tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tbsp light brown sugar
Making the pastry
Mix the flour with the butter (or margarine). As soon as the mixture turns sandy, add the salt, thyme, egg and water (you won’t always need all 4 tablespoons; the dough should be supple but still slightly crumbly). As soon as it comes together into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least half an hour.
Filling
Cut the tomatoes in half and, if needed, remove the green core if it’s hard.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
In a skillet, heat the sugar and balsamic vinegar until a caramel forms. It’s very quick, about 3-5 minutes. Then pour the still-hot caramel into the bottom of the pan, spreading it out evenly. It has to be hot, otherwise you won’t be able to spread it and it will stick to your spoon.
Arrange the tomatoes on the caramel over the whole surface, packing them in tightly. I place them cut side down, but you can do the opposite too.
Bake for about 5 minutes so the caramel starts to soak into the tomatoes, then take them out and cover with the pastry, rolled out beforehand. Tuck the excess pastry down inside the pan to “tuck in” the tomatoes.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, turn out and serve!
Tips
You can use store-bought pastry, but this one is very quick and easy to make.
During baking you may see what look like bubbles of water forming. Don’t worry, they disappear by the end and don’t make the pastry soggy.
To skip the slicing, you can make individual tartlets instead of one large tart.
For a cheesy version, you can add 3 Tbsp grated Parmesan to the pastry.
If you love tarts and tomatoes, you’ll probably love this delicious tomato tart with fresh herbs
Tomato tart
Click on the picture for the recipe