I have been in tomato heaven! For the first couple weeks I did nothing with them but sprinkle on a little sea salt and enjoy the juicy ripeness of sun warmed, fresh tomatoes straight from the garden – juices running down my arm, a smile on my face. Now that I have grown accustomed to the abundance of our own, home-grown tomatoes, I have started using them in recipes.
At first I was using them just in salads that would highlight the tomatoes such as my all-time favorite, the caprese – fresh mozzarella layered with sliced tomatoes, basil and a drizzle of olive oil or pesto.
I am so in love with the flavors of the caprese salad I decided to put them into a simple and quick tart. Being busy and because I did indeed want this simple and quick, I decided against making a tart crust from scratch and used instead Kinnikinnick’s Gluten Free Quick Bread & Bun Mix. The result was intoxicating; soft yet crusty dough topped with melting mozzarella, juicy, warmed tomatoes and basil (also from my garden!) and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Not only is this recipe really simple to make, it is also lovely and elegant – everything I love in a recipe! If you want to fancy these up even more, drizzle with a touch of good, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar or pesto.
If you don’t have small tart pans, you can make this recipe in a 10 inch tart pan just as well.
Now if you will excuse me, I am off to the garden to pick more tomatoes!
Gluten Free Quick & Easy Caprese Tarts Recipe
Ingredients
Gluten-free non-stick cooking spray
1 ½ cups Kinnikinnick Bread & Bun Mix
1 cup water
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
4 large tomatoes, sliced
Kosher or fine sea salt and pepper
6 – 8 fresh basil leaves
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 6 – 4½ inch tart pans with removable bottoms with the cooking spray.
Combine the Bread & Bun mix with water in a mixer. Mix on low until combined, increase speed to medium-high and mix for 3 minutes. Divide the batter among the prepared pans and using damp fingers, push on the dough to spread it evenly in the pans.
Place the sliced mozzarella on top of the dough, top with tomato slices and a pinch of salt and pepper on each tart. I put 2 slices of mozzarella and 3 tomato slices on each tart, bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until the crust is browned and the cheese melted. Let cool slightly, remove tarts from the pans and remove the tart pan bottoms. Roll the basil leaves up like a cigar, slice them thinly and scatter the basil over the top of the tarts. Serve tarts warm.
The tarts can be made ahead and reheated in the microwave or oven. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate to store.
Servings
Serves 6 tarts.
Ready for dessert?
Simply…Gluten-Free Desserts is now available, with over 135 recipes not featured in my blog.
Available at bookstores including Barnes & Noble, Borders, Powells, Books-a-Million and Amazon. You can get it also HERE.
“I can now have recipes I know I can count on for every Dessert and Breakfast occasion! I’m thrilled!” – A. M.
“I am amazed! This recipe is BETTER than the ‘regular-with-gluten’ recipe! Thanks so much, Carol” – V. P.
“I love your gluten free recipes – I can now have my desserts.” – F.R.
Need a quick meal?
Simply…Gluten-Free Quick Meals is now available, with over 100 recipes not featured in my blog.
Available at bookstores including Barnes & Noble, Borders, Powells, Books-a-Million and Amazon. You can get it also HERE.
“The “Simply” in ‘Simply … Gluten-Free Quick Meals’ doesn’t just make for a catchy title. The recipes in this cookbook truly are quick and easy to prepare. – A. C.
“I set the timer on two separate nights and made two complete meals from Carol’s latest cookbook in 30-40 minutes. They not only pleased my family, but gave me new recipes and techniques to get dinner on the table faster every night.” – W. K.
“I love the way this book is laid out – full meals I can make in no time. Love the sense of fun and humor in this book but mostly I love all the gluten free recipes -.” – J. F.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. This blog accepts free manufacturers samples and forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.