Scalloped Tomatoes

The original recipe that I have replicated for this meal can be found in Barefoot Contessa: How Easy is That? by Ina Garten on page 170.

For the Scalloped Tomatoes (serves 6)

• Good olive oil
• 2 cups- (1/2-inch diced) bread from a round rustic bread, crusts removed
• 16-plum tomatoes, cut 1/2-inch dice (about 2 1/2 pounds)
• 1 tablespoon-minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 2 tablespoons-sugar
• 2 teaspoons-kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon-freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup-julienned basil leaves, lightly packed
• 1 cup-freshly grated Parmesan cheese

 

Procedure:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12 inch) sauté pan over medium heat.
• Add the bread cubes and stir to coat with the oil. Cook over medium to medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the cubes are evenly browned. (Make sure you pay attention to the thickness of your bread cubes!  My original cubes looked too thick-so I used a measuring tape to make sure each cube was roughly ½ inch thick.)
• Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
• When the bread cubes are done, add the tomato mixture and continue to cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the basil.
• Pour the tomato mixture into a shallow (6 to 8 cup) baking dish.
• Sprinkle evenly with the Parmesan cheese and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is browned and the tomatoes are bubbly.
• Serve hot or warm.

Gather your ingredients.

Brown the bread cubes, prepare the tomato mixture & combine over the stove.

Pour tomatoes and bread mix into baking dish & add Parmesan cheese and oil.

Cook and serve!

This tomato gratin was unbelievable.  It tastes as incredible as it looks!  The lightly browned bread cubes completely absorbed the flavors of the roasted tomatoes!  After baking under a layer of Parmesan cheese this dish had the best of both a crunchy top and a lusciously warm inside! I served these scalloped tomatoes alongside a roasted chicken.  You can see the roast chicken recipe by clicking on: “Jeffrey’s Roast Chicken”.