Tomato Slab Pie with Cornmeal and Parmesan Crust

Thanks for sharing!

This tomato slab pie is the perfect way to showcase the summer’s harvest. The cornmeal and Parmesan laden crust forms the perfect bed for tomatoes, cheese and fresh basil.

      Take fresh tomatoes and put them on a large cornmeal and Parmesan crust. You’ll find this sheet pan full of cheesy tomato goodness is a perfect summer appetizer.

It is a bit like pizza, a bit like tomato pie and a bit like a pretty tart. The results are delicious and perfect for feeding a crowd.

 Yes.  You caught me.  I am “borrowing” another recipe from Mollie at Frugal Hausfrau.

    She has been on a big cornmeal kick lately.  It all started with her post on Polenta Budino with Plum Marmellata that inspired my cornmeal and blueberry budino.

    Then she posted a delicious looking Orange Apricot Snack Cake with more cornmeal in the batter.  It looks and sounds delicious!

    Usually I only reach for cornmeal when I need cornbread to go with ham and beans or to sprinkle a little under a pizza crust.  All of these new fun ideas had me inspired and hungry!

    Then I came to yet another one of her delicious looking cornmeal recipes.  Her Garden Tomato Tart looked gorgeous, sounded delicious and allowed me to further indulge this little cornmeal obsession I have going right now.

    So, Mollie – I apologize for borrowing so heavily from you these past few weeks.  I would say it’s not you, it’s me, but it wouldn’t be true!  You are posting too many delicious looking treats and fanning the flame!

     Our tomatoes are really delicious this year and have been coming off the vines in bucketfuls, so that helped egg me on.  Not that I needed much of an excuse.

     As these things go, I didn’t follow her recipe exactly.  But I followed it closely enough to know hers is a real winner.

    So, if you like the direction this is going, but want it in a smaller and prettier package be sure to pay Mollie a visit.  If you are looking for something fresh and fun to take to a potluck or have a small army to feed at home you are in the right place!

    There were a few reasons for my adaptations:

1. Despite the fact I have a pretty decent collection of cook/bakeware (you know the kind that fills the kitchen, the pantry, the dining room, a couple of racks in the basement and now a bit of the coat closet… not that anyone is counting.)

I don’t have a tart pan.  I’ll put it on my wish list now as there have been a few times recently I wished for one.  Does anyone have a direct line to Santa?

2. Though there are only three of us, we have regular extended family dinners so we almost always have volunteers to help eat new creations.  Plus this is a great potluck contribution or would be great for a party as it can be made ahead and served at room temperature.

3. I am more of a rustic/free form cook for the most part.  Slab pies fit my style. 

You can certainly make this crust look pretty, even as a slab pie, but it isn’t necessary.  It looks dressed up on it’s own and doesn’t need a lot of frill.

So now you may be asking yourself how to best serve such a delightful treat.  I think it would make a great summer lunch.

     Serve it alongside a nice green salad and an ice cold beverage.  It would also make a fun starter for a party.

    Cut it into smaller squares and listen to your guests fawn over how delicious it is! It would also work as a starchy side to a nice grilled chicken breast and some fresh green beans or something.  

However you decide to serve it, you owe it to yourself to give it a try!

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Thanks for sharing!