Maple, Bacon and Tomato Tart

Now that we're squarely into fall, I'm starting to think about the holidays and what dishes I'll be serving. Too soon? Maybe, but that's where my brain goes. I start planning what new recipes I'll be trying out, interesting new dishes to add to my menu, a new ingredient I've fallen in love with. I get a little fall obsessed and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Maple syrup is a standard in my fall baking because I love how it combines with the seasonal squash. So while I'm using a sweet ingredient in otherwise savory dishes, I wondered what other normally sweet thing I can use. I always add vanilla to any dessert, even to cornbread, but it goes well with plenty of vegetables too. The vanilla bean paste I have from Nielsen-Massey is thick and sweet and loaded with vanilla bean seeds and I'm a little obsessed with it anyway. So I added it to maple syrup and instantly loved it.

I first tasted maple and bacon on a summer vacation a few years ago so I knew that was a heavenly combination. And if the late summer/early fall tomatoes aren't as sweet as they used to be, a little roasting and the maple glaze would fix that. I made a savory dough and threw in some blue cheese for more of that sweet and savory flavor combo and created magic. Appetizer, snack, side dish, whatever...this one's a winner. And now excuse me while I go pour maple vanilla syrup over everything. Enjoy!

by Hungry Couple

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time: 45 Minutes

6075202

Ingredients (8 Servings)

• Pastry:
• 1 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
• 1 Stick unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1" pieces
• 1/2 Teaspoon salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon baking powder
• 2 oz. Gorgonzola (or other blue) cheese
• 3 Tablespoons ice water
• 
  
• Filling
• 1 Large red tomato, heirloom if you can find it
• 1 Large yellow tomato, heirloom if you can find it
• 4 Slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 Teaspoons vanilla paste or extract (I used Nielsen-Massey vanilla paste)
• Salt to taste

Instructions

To make the pastry, add the flour, butter, salt and baking powder to a food processor. Pulse a few times just until the mixture resembles course crumbs. Add the blue cheese and pulse once or twice to incorporate. 

With the machine running, slowly add the ice water until a dough ball forms. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.

Roll out the do to approximately an 8" x 10" vertical but don't worry about being exact. Slice the tomatoes thinly and dab with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Spread them out in alternating colors on the dough but leave about an inch border on all sides. Spread the crumbled bacon over the tomatoes.

In a small bowl, mix together the maple syrup and vanilla past and drizzle over the tomatoes and bacon. Season with salt and roll up the pastry edges. Again, don't worry about being too exact. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 45 minutes or until the pastry is a light golden brown. Slice and serve warm as an appetizer, side dish or lunch with a salad.

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The recipe was sponsored by Nielsen-Massey vanilla. Thank you for supporting the products I love and use in my kitchen.