Chef John's Tomato Tart

One of these days Michele and I will travel to the south of France, where we'll eat this amazing tomato tart at least once a day. It's going to be hot, since we'll have to go in the middle of summer to enjoy best possible tomatoes, but that's fine, as long as there's chilled rosé. One layer of tomato is plenty, since more than that will make for an overly wet tart, which means your pastry will not stay crispy.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 417 Calories

Ingredients

• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed and cut into quarters
• 1 large ripe tomato, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
• 3 pinches herbes de Provence
• 1 pinch chopped fresh oregano
• 1 pinch chopped fresh parsley
• 1 pinch chopped fresh thyme

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Place 2 pieces of puff pastry onto a silicone-lined baking sheet. Press the short seam of 1 piece onto the other to form the rectangular base of the tart. Cut seams off the other 2 pieces of puff pastry and press them into the edges of the base to act as the border.

Step 3

Freeze dough until firm, about 10 minutes.

Step 4

Score border with a knife, making shallow cuts 1/4-inch apart. Press the bottom of a fork onto the seam in the middle and poke holes all over the base.

Step 5

Bake tart shell until lightly golden and partially puffed, about 10 minutes. Press down on the base using the bottom of a fork. Avoid pressing border. Let cool for 10 minutes.

Step 6

Spread mustard over the inside of the tart. Arrange tomato slices into a single layer on top and cut a few slices in half to fill in the gaps. Season with salt and pepper. Generously sprinkle herbes de Provence on top. Add Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and drizzle most of the olive oil on top.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until pastry is well browned and crispy, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature on the baking sheet or transfer to a wire rack using 2 spatulas. Drizzle remaining olive oil over the tart and sprinkle fresh oregano, parsley, and thyme on top.