Tomato Pie with Cheese Topping

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories while still providing flavor.

bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: ham

Turkey bacon is lower in fat, while ham can be a less expensive protein option.

Make shortcrust pastry by mixing 200 grams of flour and half a teaspoon of salt.

Add 100 grams of fat (butter and lard mixture) and mix until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Add enough cold water (around half a cup) to bring the dough together into a ball.

Wrap the dough in plastic film and refrigerate for about half an hour.

Slice 875 grams of beefy tomatoes and sprinkle with coarse sea salt; let sit for about 15 minutes to draw out moisture.

Prepare 150 grams of back bacon by cooking it in a frying pan with water to prevent sticking, then chop into crumbs after it cools.

Blind bake the pastry by rolling it out and fitting it into a 23.7 cm (9.25 inch) diameter tin, then cover with greaseproof paper and weigh down with rice or baking beans.

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius for a fan oven (180 for conventional) and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove the weights and bake for another 10 minutes after painting the pastry with egg wash (beaten egg with milk).

Layer the bottom of the pie with grated mature cheddar cheese, then add layers of tomatoes, black pepper, bacon crumbs, and basil.

Mix 60 grams of grated cheese with mayonnaise (about half that amount) and spread it over the top of the pie.

Bake the pie for half an hour at 180 degrees Celsius for a fan oven (200 for conventional).

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens