Tomato & Mozzarella Tart

Miss Yunks read a recipe for Tomato Tart in this month’s Glamour Magazine.  The recipe was simple enough that it inspired her to get back in the kitchen after a too long hiatus from cooking.

The recipe was simply to bake tomatoes on puff pastry and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  I can handle that.  However, my plan changed slightly at the grocery store.  Puff pastry has 11 grams of fat per serving and I just didn’t feel the need for that, knowing I’d eat more than one serving.  I bought Fillo dough instead.  With just 1 gram of fat per serving, I thought this would taste just fine and I wouldn’t have to worry about eating more than 1 serving.   I also decided to add fresh mozzarella to my tart for some protein.  I chose a ripe vine tomato.

I sliced the tomato and mozzarella before I was ready to prepare the fillo dough.  Once the toppings were ready, I started layering fillo dough and spreading olive oil between the layers.  I used about 8-10 sheets of dough for each tart.  I topped them with the tomato and mozzarella and sprinkled with salt and pepper.

The tart baked at 350 for 12 minutes, until the cheese melted and the edges of the dough were crisped and brown.  The flaky dough tasted really good with the salt and peppered cheese and tomato.  Like a light pizza, this tart would be a tasty appetizer if cut into strips.

Because I had plenty of fillo dough, I decided to experiment with a flaky dessert.  I decided to simply put some chocolate on the dough and fold the edges around it.  I used butter between the dessert fillo dough layers and sprinkled some cinnamon on top of the chips.  I used a handful of semi-sweet chips and a few butterscotch chips.

I folded the dough in half and baked for about 8 minutes.

Sprinkle confectioner sugar on top to serve.

And here is the thick chocolate center:

I named this dessert Chocolate Pillows.  The Pillows were flaky, buttery, chocolaty, and a light summer treat perfect for ending a light summer meal.  I also made a Pillow with strawberry slices mixed with chocolate chips and another with chocolate and marshmallows.  You can fill your Pillows with your favorite summertime sweets – or apples and cinnamon for a move savory Pillow.

After I made sure these recipes were both delicious and filling enough for a meal, I made more of everything to share and enjoyed a fun picnic dinner in Boston Common!