tomato pie

This pie crusted beauty was waiting for us on the kitchen island when we got into town with the two little ones. Fresh summer tomatoes, herbs, lots of cheese, and a pie crust - what more could you want? As much as I appreciate the countless websites full of thousands of recipes available by a click of a mouse, it's hard to beat a hand written recipe, creased and spotted with grease from years of use.

So, if you'd like, I'd be happy to write this out with and old fashion pen and stick it in the mail with an old fashion stamp simply for the sake of hand written recipes. 

From Grits and Groceries in Saylors Crossroads, SC [which was then passed to us from my sister's neighbor].

4 medium size ripe tomatoes
2 tsp. salt
1 cup [4 oz.] shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 refrigerated pie crusts

Slice tomatoes into 1/4 inch thick slices. Arrange tomato slices on several layers of paper towels over a wire wrack. Sprinkle with 2 tsp. salt; cover with more paper towels, pressing gently. Let salted tomatoes stand 1 hour, replacing paper towels on top and bottom after 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine cheese, mayonnaise, herbs, pepper, and onion in a medium bowl; stir well, and set aside. Roll pie crust into a 13-inch circle on a flat surface. Fit into a 9-inch pie plate; fold edges under and crimp. Firmly pat tomato slices dry with additional paper towels. Arrange tomato slices in pie crust; top with cheese mixture.

Bake at 350 on lowest over rack for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely. Makes 8 servings.

Now...you may have never had tomato pie, and it may not sound good to you when you read it. But I need you to go ahead and try it. Hurry! Summer tomatoes will be gone before you know it!

Other than food, we're being reminded that rope swings and kitchen table talks and indoor forts and baby rocking is good for the soul. I only wish my hard-working and hiking D was here [miss you!!!].