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Rustic Cherry Tomato Tart with Caramelized Onions

This easy tomato tart piles sweet caramelized onions, three melty cheeses, and blistered cherry tomatoes onto a flaky crust. Perfect for summer parties.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Appetizers, Vegetarian
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 345

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 whole large yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 whole store-bought pie crusts or 1 generous homemade crust
  • 1 1/2 cups grated fontina cheese or Monterey Jack
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Gruyere cheese or Swiss
  • 3 cups cherry tomatoes, red and/or yellow, washed and dried plus extra if needed
  • 1 whole large egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 16 whole fresh basil leaves, cut into ribbons chiffonade; more if desired

Method
 

  1. Place a large skillet over medium-low heat. Melt the butter, then add the onions, salt, and pepper. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and deeply golden brown. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Press both pie crusts together into one ball, knead briefly to combine, then roll out into one large, thin sheet. Lay the dough into a shallow quarter sheet pan, or cut in half and press into two standard pie pans. Sprinkle the fontina, Parmesan, and Gruyere evenly over the dough, then scatter the caramelized onions on top, and finish with the cherry tomatoes.
  4. Whisk the egg and milk together in a small bowl, then brush the mixture over the exposed crust edges. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, checking often so the crust does not burn. The tomatoes should start to burst and develop some dark, roasted spots, while the crust turns deep golden brown. If the edges brown too quickly, lower the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  5. Let the tart rest for 5 minutes out of the oven. Sprinkle the basil ribbons generously over the top, cut into squares, and serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 12gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 420mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5g

Notes

Any good melting cheese works here, so feel free to swap in provolone, mozzarella, or a mild cheddar. This tart is best the day it is made, but leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven to crisp the crust. You can caramelize the onions a day ahead and refrigerate them, which makes assembly a breeze. Do not skip drying the tomatoes thoroughly, moisture at the bottom of the tart can make the crust soggy. If the crust starts to over-brown, just tent the tart loosely with foil while it finishes baking. A hot, clean knife between cuts gives the neatest squares.

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