Savory Baked Tomato Gratin
Savory Baked Tomato Gratin is an exquisite make-ahead dish that transforms fresh tomatoes into a creamy, cheesy delight. Perfect for entertaining during dinner parties or family gatherings, this dish is an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. The layers of tender tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and fragrant basil are bound together in a luscious cream that envelops each slice in warmth. Topped with a crispy breadcrumb and Parmesan crust, this gratin is sure to become a crowd-pleaser, with guests going back for seconds and thirds. Feel free to adjust the garlic and basil to suit your palate for an even more flavorful dish. Make it ahead of time and pop it in the oven right before serving for a stress-free meal. Enjoy this delightful dish hot out of the oven amidst laughter and shared stories!
6
Servings
329
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tomatoes
900 g (skinned and sliced)
Butter or Margarine
50 g (softened)
Garlic Cloves
3 (minced)
Sugar
5 ml (1 teaspoon)
Fresh Basil
20 ml (chopped)
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Cream
300 ml
Dried Breadcrumbs
50 g
Parmesan Cheese
25 g
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 189°C (350°F).
2
To skin the tomatoes, place them in a bowl and pour boiling water over them. Allow them to sit for 20 seconds before draining and plunging them into cold water. The skins should come off easily.
3
Once skinned, slice the tomatoes thinly and set aside.
4
Grease a baking dish generously with softened butter or margarine.
5
Layer the bottom of the dish with an even layer of tomato slices. Sprinkle with minced garlic, sugar, chopped basil, and season with salt and pepper.
6
Add a thin layer of cream over the tomatoes and repeat the layering process with the remaining tomatoes, garlic, sugar, basil, salt, pepper, and cream until all ingredients are used.
7
In a small bowl, mix together the dried breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top layer of the gratin.
8
Drizzle any remaining butter or margarine over the top for added richness.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the dish is bubbling.
10
Allow the gratin to cool slightly before serving hot. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
26
Fat
17
Carbs
7
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Baked Tomato Gratin?
It is an exquisite make-ahead dish that transforms fresh tomatoes into a creamy, cheesy delight, featuring layers of tomatoes, garlic, and basil bound in a luscious cream.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 329 calories.
Is this tomato gratin suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegetarian.
How do I easily remove the skins from the tomatoes?
Place them in a bowl and pour boiling water over them for 20 seconds, then drain and plunge them into cold water to make the skins come off easily.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 189°C (350°F).
How long does the gratin need to bake?
Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.
What are the main ingredients for this dish?
The main ingredients include tomatoes, butter or margarine, garlic, sugar, fresh basil, cream, dried breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Yes, this is an excellent make-ahead dish that you can pop in the oven right before serving.
What kind of cheese is used in the topping?
The recipe uses 25g of Parmesan cheese for the crispy topping.
How much garlic is required?
You will need 3 minced garlic cloves, though you can adjust this to suit your palate.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for either softened butter or margarine.
What type of breadcrumbs should I use?
The recipe calls for 50g of dried breadcrumbs.
Why is sugar included in a savory tomato recipe?
A small amount of sugar (1 teaspoon) is used to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
How much cream is used in the layering process?
The recipe uses 300 ml of cream to bind the layers together.
How should the tomatoes be prepared after skinning?
The skinned tomatoes should be sliced thinly before layering.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 26g of fat.
How much protein is in this dish?
This gratin provides 7g of protein per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 17g of carbohydrates in each serving.
Is this dish considered a side dish or a main course?
It is primarily categorized as a side dish, perfect for dinner parties or family gatherings.
How do I know when the gratin is perfectly cooked?
The dish is done when the top is golden brown and the cream is bubbling.
Can I adjust the herbs used in the recipe?
Yes, feel free to adjust the amount of fresh basil to suit your personal preference.
Should the gratin be served immediately?
It is best to allow the gratin to cool slightly before serving it hot.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, grease the baking dish generously with softened butter or margarine before layering.
How much basil should I use?
The recipe suggests 20 ml of chopped fresh basil.
Is this a difficult recipe to make?
No, it is tagged as an easy recipe and is designed for stress-free meal preparation.
What contributes to the 'comfort food' tag?
The combination of warm layers of tomatoes, luscious cream, and a crispy cheesy crust makes it a classic comfort food.
How many grams of tomatoes are needed?
You will need 900g of tomatoes.
What is the final step before putting the dish in the oven?
The final step is to drizzle any remaining butter or margarine over the breadcrumb and Parmesan topping.
How are the layers organized?
Layers consist of tomato slices sprinkled with garlic, sugar, basil, salt, and pepper, followed by a thin layer of cream.