Yield: 4-4” tarts or 1-8” tart

This recipe was inspired last summer by the heirloom tomatoes at our local farmer’s market. I fell hopelessly in love with the nearly black-skinned ones. They tasted like more savory cousins of red plums, but still very sweet.

Some people may wonder why not just eat the tomatoes raw, and I do that too. However, in this tart, they become more of a complete meal. Yet the thickness of the slices and the short cooking time sets the topping while allowing the tomatoes to remain virtually uncooked.

Crust

1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar or raw sugar
½ cup canola oil
2 tablespoons unsweetened soy milk
(or, for less calories, 6 tablespoons oil and 4 tablespoons soy milk—works great, but the crust might be just a tiny bit less crispy)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together all ingredients with a fork in a medium bowl. Press into the bottom and against sides of an 8” tart pan with a removable bottom. Or divide into 4 equal parts and do the same with 4-4” tart pans with removable bottoms. Try to keep the bottom and sides of the crust a similar thickness. Use a drinking glass to assist with the pressing if desired (as the glass allows you to compress the bottom and sides simultaneously). Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool approximately 3 minutes.

Filling

Enough ¼-inch thick tomato slices, preferably heirloom, to make two layers of tomato in shell(s)
12 ounces (1 ½ cups) Silken firm tofu or lite tofu
1 bunch fresh basil or dill OR 2 generous tablespoons dairy free pesto
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes (optional but recommended, especially if not using pesto)
1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
Additional salt and pepper to taste
Optional topping: vegan Parmesan or a sprinkling of nutritional yeast
Optional garnish: fresh basil leaves or dill sprigs

Layer slices of tomato into each crust. Combine tofu with next five ingredients in a food processor and blend well. Spoon mixture on top of tomato layer(s) and spread gently almost to the edges. Sprinkle with optional topping if desired and bake 15 minutes or until topping is almost set. Remove tart pan(s) to a rack until they are cool enough to handle and then push the bottom disk up through the ring, set ring aside, and gently slide the tart off of the disk onto the serving plate. Garnish, if desired, with basil leaves or dill sprigs.