Description
Ina Garten’s scalloped tomatoes elevate summer’s juicy bounty into a rustic masterpiece of culinary comfort. Roasted with crusty bread cubes, herbs, and parmesan, this dish delivers rich Mediterranean flavors you’ll crave at every summer gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) plum tomatoes, ½-inch-diced (14 to 16 tomatoes)
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) minced garlic (3 cloves)
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) julienned fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
Bread and Cheese:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) (½-inch) diced bread from a round rustic bread, crusts removed
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Oil:
- 5 tablespoons (75 milliliters) good olive oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) sugar
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Warm the kitchen oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F / 180°C, ensuring precise heating for optimal results.
- Select a large 12-inch sauté pan and pour / 45 milliliters of olive oil, heating over medium flame. Carefully introduce bread cubes, thoroughly coating them with oil and stirring consistently until achieving a golden, crisp exterior (approximately 5 minutes).
- Create a vibrant tomato base by combining diced tomatoes, finely minced garlic, a pinch of sugar, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl. Blend ingredients until harmoniously integrated.
- Transfer the aromatic tomato mixture into the pan with toasted bread cubes, increasing heat to medium-high. Stir frequently, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for roughly 5 minutes. Gently fold in freshly chopped basil leaves, removing from heat.
- Transition the fragrant mixture into a shallow baking vessel (6- to 8-cup / 1.5- to 2-liter capacity), ensuring even distribution. Generously dust the surface with grated Parmesan cheese and drizzle remaining / 30 milliliters of olive oil.
- Position the dish in the preheated oven, baking for 35 to 40 minutes until the top develops a rich, golden-brown crust and tomatoes bubble with concentrated flavor.
- Present immediately while piping hot or comfortably warm, offering a delectable side dish or light, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Capture summer’s essence by selecting sun-ripened, deep red plum tomatoes bursting with natural sweetness and intense flavor.
- Slice bread into precise ½-inch cubes ensuring consistent toasting and maximum juice absorption for a perfect texture blend.
- Elevate the dish with fragrant basil leaves, either freshly chopped or sparingly dried, to infuse vibrant herbal notes throughout.
- Transform the topping with hand-grated Parmesan cheese, releasing its rich, nutty complexity that melts seamlessly into the warm ingredients.
- Watch for golden-brown edges and bubbling surfaces signaling the perfect moment when crispy meets juicy, revealing the recipe’s ultimate deliciousness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 262
- Sugar: 8.9 g
- Sodium: 518 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4.6 g
- Protein: 6.5 g
- Cholesterol: 26 mg