Summer Tomato Pie- Southern Living Style

Southern Living has always done comfort food well and this pie is just that. Growing up in the south, I have tried quite a few tomato pies. Tomato Pies have always been something I thought I should like (judging by the way they smell when they are in the oven), but I have never really been a huge fan of them until I met this recipe. I am a texture person and something about this pie and salting the tomatoes before you use them makes all the difference. 

I slightly adapted this recipe from Southern Living.

• 3 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and sliced
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 Frozen deep dish pie crust (believe it or not my favorite is the Walmart brand).
• 4 bacon slices
• 2 medium-size red onions, halved and thinly sliced (SL called for 3 but I thought that was overkill).
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fine, dry breadcrumbs

** I added a dash of hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce too. 

• Place tomato slices on paper towels, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Allow the tomatoes stand for 30 minutes. This makes all the difference!
• Defrost Pie Crust
• Bake at 425° for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove pie weights and foil.
• Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 teaspoon drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon, and set aside.
• Sauté onion in hot drippings in skillet over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes or until tender. Spoon onion over prepared piecrust, and top with tomato slices.


• Stir together Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spread mixture over tomato slices. Combine Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs; sprinkle over top.





• Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until golden. Let the pie cool for 5 minutes so that it can firm up. Sprinkle with bacon. I recommend serving this with a salad since the pie is pretty rich.

Taco Pizza Night

When I told Bill I was going to try a recipe for Taco Pizza, he kept asking me what  night was going to be Taco Pizza Night. So as you can guess Taco Pizza became a pretty big deal around here. I mean you are combining two favorites: Pizza and Tacos. How could it not be a winner? Like most of my recipes, I found it and adapted it. This one is from Pioneer Woman (love her!). 

 

(Please pardon the non-rotated photo...technical difficulties!)

Taco Pizza


⅓ cups Olive Oil
1 can (14 Ounce) Black Beans
3 teaspoon Taco Seasoning 
5 whole Corn Tortillas, Sliced Into Thin Strips
½ cups Canola Oil, For Frying
1 1/2  cup Grated Sharp Cheddar, I combined with Kraft's Taco Blend
1 head Green Leaf Lettuce, shredded 
2 whole  Tomatoes, Diced
1 can of Diced Black Olive¼ cups Sour Cream
3 Tablespoons Hot Sauce 

1 teaspoon of cumin
Pizza Dough (I buy mine in the freezer section at Walmart. It is excellent. You can also buy it fresh at Earth Fare or make it yourself :) ).


Pour the black beans into a sauce pan and add teaspoon of cumin and taco seasoning. Heat beans over medium heat. Use a potato masher to mash the beans. Cook on medium low (don't forget to stir every once and a while) until the bean mixture thickens.


In a frying pan heat oil over medium heat. When oil is hot, drop in the tortilla strips. Fry until golden and crispy. It shouldn't take long! Place fried strips on plate with a paper towel.


Preheat the oven to what the directions of the dough you are using dictates.

Roll dough out and use flour or cornmeal. I have really enjoyed using my pizza stone and recommend using one for pizzas.


I added on olive oil and kosher salt along the sides of the pizza (where the crust is) but this isn't necessary. Top pizza with black beans (make sure they are the consistency of refried beans and/or not too runny) and cheese.


Cook for 8-10 minutes. 


Mix sour cream, hot sauce, and taco seasoning. You want enough hot sauce to make the mixture thin enough to use as a sauce. 

When the cheese is melted and the crust is golden, remove pizza. Cover with shredded lettuce, olives, and tomatoes. Drizzle hot sour cream sauce on top. Enjoy immediately.