Tomato Fest 2008

Tomato Fest is all about the tomato. The meal included Tomatoes and Goat Cheese; Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly; Gazpacho (thanks Nan); BLTs, Tomato, Basil and Feta Pasta (thanks Tonya and Scooter); BLTs with Basil Mayonnaise; Tomato Tart; and Watermelon for dessert (thanks Payton and Terri).

Tomatoes and Goat Cheese
4 - 5 large tomatoes, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons Williams-Sonoma Pesto Dipping Sauce
1/4 cup julienned basil leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
10.5 ounces goat cheese

Mix together tomatoes and pesto dipping sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over goat cheese and top with basil. Serve with crostini and crackers. Note: olive oil can be substituted for the pesto dipping sauce.

Tomato Basil Tart
1 purchased pie pastry
4-5 large tomatoes, peeled and sliced
1/2 Vidalia onion, thinly sliced
8 ounces Mozzarella cheese, sliced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 tablespoons Williams-Sonoma Pesto Dipping Sauce
10 -12 basil leaves
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 half cup grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll pastry on a floured board to fit an 11-inch tart pan. Place pastry in pan and trim to fit. Prick the pastry, line with parchment pastry and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly brown. Allow to cool. Arrange the mozzarella over the pastry and top with onion slices and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Dip basil leaves in pesto dipping sauce and add to tart. Sprinkle garlic slices over tart. Pour pesto dipping sauce over tart. Top with grated Parmesan. Bake for 30 - 45 minutes. Allow tart to set for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve hot. Yield: 8 servings. Note: Olive oil can be substituted for pesto dipping sauce.

Steve and Cheryl