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Southern tomato pie
Summer tomato, basil and cheese pie
AmericanTomato pie is the high-summer lunch of the Carolinas and Virginia, made when the ripe tomatoes are piling up on the windowsill. Salted, drained tomato slices are layered in a pastry case with basil and spring onion, then covered with a rich topping of cheddar and mayonnaise that bakes golden and bubbly. It is best warm or at room temperature with a green salad. Choose a vegetarian cheddar if needed, as traditional cheddar uses animal rennet. Chef's tip: salting and draining the tomatoes is the difference between a sliceable pie and a soggy one.
- Total time
- 80 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
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Fresh ingredients (3)
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Lay the 2 lb ripe tomatoes on a rack over a tray, sprinkle with the 1 tsp salt and leave 30 minutes. Pat dry with kitchen paper.
30 minStep 2: Heat the oven to 375°F (350°F fan). Line a 23 cm pie dish with the 10 ½ oz shortcrust pastry, prick, line with paper and baking beans and bake 15 minutes; remove the paper and bake 5 minutes more.
25 minStep 3: Layer the tomatoes, ⅔ oz fresh basil and 4 spring onions in the case, seasoning with ½ tsp black pepper as you go.
5 minStep 4: Mix the 5 ½ oz mature cheddar (vegetarian if needed), 2 ⅞ oz mozzarella and 4 oz mayonnaise and spread over the tomatoes to the edge.
3 minStep 5: Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbling. A common mistake is slicing it hot; rest 20 minutes so it sets.
55 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 430 kcal
- Protein
- 10 g
- Carbs
- 26 g
- Fat
- 32 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does southern tomato pie take?
- About 80 minutes in total: 40 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of ripe tomatoes?
- Tinned chopped tomatoes: a 400g tin for about 6 tomatoes (in cooked dishes, not salads).
- What can I use instead of fresh basil?
- Baby spinach with a little mint (for colour and freshness).
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