MethodFor the filling:
- In a pan, heat castor sugar and add water.
- When the sugar turns golden yellow, add the brown sugar and the halved cherry tomatoes. Add brandy.
- Remove and strain when hot.
- Put the syrup back in the pan and keep aside the strained halved tomatoes.
- Toss the remaining whole cherry tomatoes till nicely cooked on a low flame, without stirring or breaking them (Remember, when we need these to top the tart during finishing).
For the frangipane:
- In the bowl of your electric mixer or with a hand mixer, cream the sugar and butter.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add the almond meal, chopped almonds and flour and beat until it forms a smooth paste. Transfer to a small bowl, cover and refrigerate for 5-10 mins.
For the pate brisee:
- In a food processor, add flour, salt and sugar and process until combined.
- Add butter and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
- Pour 30 ml. water in a slow, steady stream.
- Add a little more chilled water, if necessary.
- Turn the dough our onto your work surface, gather it into a ball, cover with a plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about half an hour to chill the butter and allow the gluten in the flour to relax.
- Once the dough has chilled, place on a lightly floured surface.
- Roll the dough into a round diameter as per your mould preference or to a 2-inch mini pie.
- Lift and turn the dough when rolling, so it does not stick to the counter.
- If it gets too soft and starts to fall apart when rolling, put the dough back in the refrigerator for 10 mins. to firm up.
- Pre-heat the oven at 180 deg C.
- Next, add halved tomatoes to the frangipane mixture, fill the tart mould to 3/4th and bake in a pre-heated oven for 20 mins. till 75% done.
- Remove and arrange the whole cherry tomatoes on the top and return to the oven.
- Monitor till fully cooked and a knife appears clean after passing through it.
- It should take about 5 to 7 mins.
- Do not disturb the well arranged tomatoes.
For bell-pepper ice cream:
- Fill the candy bell pepper, take sugar in a thick bottomed pan.
- Add water (approx 1 tbsp.) and stir well till golden yellow.
- Add the bell peppers and stir till thick.
- Arrange the cubed bell pepper on a bake-proof paper on a greased steel sheet till they look crystallized.
- For the ice cream base, heat milk and vanilla.
- Whisk in egg yolks and sugar.
- Cool the mixture and strain with a strainer.
- Add cream and cool in the freezer.
- Churn in the end and add the above bell pepper mix.
- Refreeze and serve with the tomato pie.
Ingredients: For the frangipane (almond cream):
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 large egg
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup almond meal (flour)
1/4 cup almonds, chopped
1 tbsp. all-purpose flour
For the pate brisee (short crust pastry):
1&1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. granulated white sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter (chilled and chopped)
1/4 cup ice-cold water
For the filling:
2 cups cherry tomatoes + (halved into half cup)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup castor sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp. brandy (optional)
Bell pepper ice cream:
750 ml. milk
3 tsp. vanilla essence
9 nos. egg yolks
240 gms. sugar
375 gms. cream
To candy the bell pepper:
1/2 cup yellow and red bell peppers, finely cubed
1/2 cup sugar