9/23/11

the infamous tomato pie now with panko

tomato pie with panko

That title sounds like an infomercial. "New improved, now with panko!" And it is just that, improved. Improved for those that want a little "crunch".
This summer I was shocked how many of you loved, downloaded, raved about my tomato pie. So glad you all loved it. I got so many emails on this pie, thanking me for posting it, sharing it, how easy it is to throw together, etc.... Thank you!
I love it too, my favorite way to eat it is cold. So good with a glass of white (dry) wine. When I used up the last of my summer tomatoes, just as I was about to put the last pie in the oven to bake, it hit me, "why not add panko to the top?" So glad I did, it gives it that nice little crunch. Stays crunchy for a couple days, then gets a little soggy. But my pies don't really last longer than two days in this house.
So if you still have tomatoes leftover and can't quite let go of summer (like me), then give this new version a whirl.

tomato pie with panko

tomato pie with panko


the infamous tomato pie now with panko
ready to bake
(note: I used sliced cheese here in the photo. You can use sliced or shredded cheese. Just don't make your slices too thick or use too much.)

tomato pie with panko
print recipe

1 (9") deep dish pie shell, frozen (or use your own pie crust dough, whatever you like)
4-5 large tomatoes, thickly cut
Freshly cracked black pepper
A light sprinkling of sugar
1 c. good quality mayonnaise (Hellmans)
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup cooked real bacon (not the fake stuff please)
½ - ¾ cup of panko crumbs

I like to keep my deep dish pie crust cold/sitting in the freezer till I’m ready to use; it cooks up better when it start with a cold crust.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, 350 for convection. Slice up the tomatoes in rather thick slices and place them on paper towels to absorb some of the excess moisture.
Also place paper towels on the top.
Get out pie crust from freezer, place sliced tomatoes over crust; do a double layer of sliced tomatoes. Sprinkle with a very light layer of sugar then freshly cracker black pepper.
In a bowl combine mayonnaise with shredded cheddar cheese, and the chopped up bacon. Spoon over tomatoes; try to get it spread evenly over the tomatoes, but don’t push down.
If you want a crunch, then sprinkle on the panko crumbs just before baking, push them down a bit into the topping.
Bake for about 30 minutes. Mine was done at the 25 minute mark, so best to keep an eye on it at the 20 minute mark.
I let my pie cool down about an hour before slicing into it. It really does taste best when it’s refrigerated and served cold. Serve with a nice glass of white wine.
Note: I love my crust nice and dark brown, if you don’t like it that way then cook it less. This is a really rich pie, so cut the slices smaller than you would an apple or other fruit pie.

54 comments:

  1. This looks AH-MAZING!!! I've just come across your blog, so I didn't see the original, but I can't wait to try this out!

    My best friend, who is obsessed with tomatoes, is coming to visit soon. This WILL be waiting for her. Thanks!!

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  2. Seriously, that looks fantastic. Makes me want to run out and buy a pie crust right now.

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  3. Now that, my friend, is one excellent new-and-improved idea! :-)

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  4. This makes me want cheese more than ever! Tomatoes and cheese...awesome together. This is like grilled cheese with tomato pie!

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  5. I am tempted to go to the store right now. Man, that looks good. Seriously good.

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  6. Oh my goodness that is amazing looking! I need some of that!

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  7. Nothing wrong with changing things up. I love how you say "real bacon"

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  8. whoa...new and improved on an already amazing pie! I must have missed this recipe when you posted it before but it looks awesome, especially with the panko addition!

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  9. yay! I'm so glad you're back...and back with a BANG.

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  10. If I wanted to make this without bacon (we are kosher!) would you suggest adding or subtracting anything?

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  11. It looks like a deep dish pizza and it does look good! i think i'll ommit the mayo since I don't like it, what else can I use instead of it?

    http://bitstreats.blogspot.com/

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  12. It's the first time I visit your blog, and can't wait to try new recipes. It looks amazing... :)

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  13. Everuthing can be highlighted with more panko, bacon and cheese.

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  14. this looks absolutely delicious - HAPPY BIRTHDAY

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  15. Ok, you just may get me to eat tomatoes! Nothing like the feeling of improving one of your favorite recipes.

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  16. tracy: maybe some pickled or canned artichoke?

    betty: maybe a catalina dressing or thousand island dressing? be creative, and try something new.

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  17. I still haven't made your tomato pie yet, but all your versions of it look amazing! I will have to get on that.

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  18. Just mouthwatering...looks so easy to prepare and delicious.

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  19. Droooooool! How fabulous is that daaaaaaahling? I could totally go for a slice or 5!
    *kisses* HH

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  20. Amen. I'm staring at a pile of tomatoes that are about to turn. Now they have a purpose. Looks great.

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  21. I have never tried tomato pie, but this looks great! I love the idea of topping it off with panko crumbs!

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  22. Hmmm, why did i forget about this with all my maters? boo. maybe i'll get one more...

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  23. Oh yes..panko makes everything better

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  24. You have no idea how much I want to make this NOW and it's 8:00 pm and I've cooked all day.

    It is truly drool worthy! Love the addition of panko.

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  25. I'm going to try that tomato pie, because CRIKEY! But when I first saw the picture, I thought it was a peach pie with panko crumbs. Now I cannot get that idea of a sweet pie with panko out of my head. Apple pie with buttered panko crumbs?? Can you create us a recipe like that??? YUM!

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  26. Apple crumb pie with Panko, butter and brown sugar topping. How does that sound?

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  27. Oh la la! It looks delicious and I have to try it. Can't imagine why I never thought of it with panko! Thanks for the great post!

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  28. Oh yum! Sounds like a gourmet rendition of my favorite summertime sandwich-tomato and mayo.

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  29. nice touch, with the panko. i wouldn't have thought the tomato pie could've been improved upon, but i was wrong. :)

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  30. I'm so glad there are still some summer tomatoes hanging around the stores...I'm off to stick up. This really looks delicious, and hearty enough to be a great dinner. I'm glad I hadn't gotten around to making the original, I'll just start with the 'new and improved'!

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  31. omg this is something I've GOT to try, thanks!

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  32. Looks terrific! I normally focus solely on dessert recipes - the word pie caught my eye with this one - but I'm tempted to give this a shot. What's not to love about tomatoes, mayo, cheese and panko baked into a warm shell?

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  33. That tomato pie looks so good! I really like the sound of a crunchy panko crumb topping! I have to make a tomato pie at least once per season!

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  34. Gorgeous - and fabulous idea to add panko!

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  35. Love the idea of the panko crust on top! Next time I make a tomato pie (might have to wait until next year as we're in a full fall swing around these parts!), I'll be sure to add the panko =)

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  36. I found your blog from your note on Kevin's Blog (Closet Cooking). I still have tomatoes in my garden and I am guessing this is the perfect thing to take to a potluck birthday party on Sunday! Delightful! Thank you.

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  37. Made two of these for lunch guests and they were inhaled. I had a little bit left and put it in the freezer to see how well it freezes. Have you ever frozen it?

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  38. This looks delicious! I'm definitely going to go check out the original tomato pie.

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  39. Wow. This was amazing! I am having a hard time not eating right from the pie plate!

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  40. Really, that could not be any lovelier!

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  41. Love a quick, easy and delicious recipe. This one looks like a real winner.

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  42. Delicious! I have saved this recipe for a while, and I'm so glad that I finally tried it! I only had one tomato, so I also used baby portabella mushrooms and a few black olives. So good!!

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  43. This would be so good with goat cheese!!!!!! Gonna try it!!

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  44. making this tonight! are those butter slices on top?

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  45. was a little disappointed, the bottom crust didn't want to brown up , i dryed the tom.'s and had the crust cold when i made it. 400 for 30 min. any ideas.

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    Replies
    1. sorry you didn't like it.
      maybe next time prebake the crust?
      might help? I'm not sure.

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    2. Recipe says shredded cheese, picture looks like slices of cheese, please help an old lady. Thanks

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    3. I say shredded because I want those people making the for the first time to have the recipe come out right and perfect. I've made this about 20 times and know what I'm doing so I use sliced. If I put sliced in there, I might give the feeling that some might use giant chunks of cheese. So please use shredded until you know how your pie will come out. Does that help you?

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  46. I wondered the picture showing slices/chunks not shredded. so what did you really do??
    i make something similar with no bacon. prebake crust, spread some dijon mustard, layer tomato / swiss / cheddar, repeat. (cheese is sliced) Top with equal parts mayo/grated parm (1/3c each or 1/2c each). Spread it over to cover as evenly as possible. Bake about 30 minutes. Let it cool a bit or it will gooooo out everywhere :)

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    Replies
    1. Hello! I used cheddar. I put in the recipe to shred it because it melts better. I didn't shred mine as I have made this pie over 20 times and now what I'm doing and how the cheese will melt. I put the terms shred in there so that the person making this for the first time will have it come out perfectly. Does that help you?

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  47. ?? It came out super soupy?? I'm not sure why? Mabye I sliced into it while it was to hot? Is it supposed to firm up?

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    Replies
    1. yeah maybe let it cool completely before slicing. it does firm up. I had a tiny bit of liquid, not a lot though.

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