Heirloom Tomato Gratin
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Recipe from the Tasting Table Test Kitchen
Heirloom Tomato Gratin with Tarragon and Gouda Crumbs
Heirloom Tomato Gratin with Tarragon and Gouda Crumbs from the Tasting Table Test Kitchen
Prep Time
20
minutes
Cook Time
20
minutes
servings
6
servings
Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ground fennel seed
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- ⅛ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves
- Two ½-inch-thick slices whole wheat bread, lightly toasted and cooled
- 3 tablespoons finely grated aged Gouda cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 7 medium-sized heirloom tomatoes, cut into 2-inch chunks of various shapes
- 20 heirloom cherry tomatoes
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 450°. In a small saucepan set over medium-low heat add the olive oil, ground fennel and garlic and cook until the garlic starts to turn golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and swirl in the red pepper flakes and fresh tarragon.
- To the bowl of a food processor, add the bread and pulse until coarsely ground, about eight 1-second pulses. Add the Gouda, 2 tablespoons of the tarragon oil (leaving the solids in the oil), ¾ teaspoon of the salt and the black pepper and pulse until well combined.
- In a 2-quart casserole dish, arrange the tomatoes in an even layer. Sprinkle them with the remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt. Drizzle the remaining infused olive oil (with the solids) over the tomatoes. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the tomatoes, then transfer the dish to the oven and cook until the breadcrumbs turn golden brown and the tomatoes soften, rotating the baking dish midway through cooking, about 15 minutes. Cool for at least 5 minutes; serve warm or at room temperature.