Southern Tomato Pie

Southern Tomato Pie is a classic Southern dish that embodies the essence of comfort food. This delectable pie is a celebration of the South’s vibrant flavors and a must-try for any food enthusiast. In this article, we will take you through a comprehensive guide to preparing the perfect Southern Tomato Pie, ensuring it turns out just like Grandma used to make.

Southern Tomato Pie Ingredients:

Before we delve into the cooking process, let’s take a closer look at the ingredients you’ll need to create this Southern masterpiece.

These ingredients come together to create a flavor explosion that defines Southern cuisine.

Instructions:

Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of crafting the perfect Southern Tomato Pie.

1. Preheat and Prepare
   Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place the pie crust inside a 9-inch pie plate, pressing it into the bottom and up the sides of the plate. Fold the crust edges under, crimping as desired. Place a piece of parchment paper over the crust, leaving a 3-inch overhang, and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the parchment paper and pie weights, and continue baking until the crust turns a light golden brown, which should take an additional 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the crust to a wire rack and allow it to cool to room temperature, approximately 30 minutes. Be sure to reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Prepare the Tomatoes
   While the crust is cooling, slice the tomatoes crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices. Arrange the tomato slices in a single layer on paper towels, then sprinkle them with 3/4 teaspoon of kosher salt. Let the tomatoes stand for 20 minutes, then pat them dry with paper towels.
3. Prepare the Filling
   In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and softened cream cheese until the mixture is smooth. Fold in 1 1/4 cups of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, the lightly beaten egg, all-purpose flour, minced garlic, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt until the filling is well combined.
4. Layer the Pie
   Spread half of the Cheddar mixture into the pie crust. Layer the filling with 1/3 of the tomato slices, slightly overlapping them in circles. Repeat the layering process with the remaining Cheddar mixture and another third of the tomato slices. Top it off with the remaining tomato slices in slightly overlapping circles. Finally, sprinkle Parmesan and the remaining 1/4 cup of Cheddar cheese over the top.
5. Baking and Serving
   Bake the pie in the preheated oven until the filling is set and lightly browned on top, which should take approximately 30 to 35 minutes. If needed, tent the crust with aluminum foil to prevent excess browning. Allow the pie to stand for at least 30 minutes before serving. Garnish it with thinly sliced fresh basil for a burst of flavor.

The Taste of the South in Every Bite