Ingredients

  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 cup margarine
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups flour
  • 3 pounds tomatoes
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons chopped garlic
  • 1/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 3/4 pound portobello mushrooms. stemmed, cut into thin strips
  • 1/4 pound spinach, stemmed, washed, dried, and cut into thin strips
  • 1/2 pound mozzarella, julienned
  • Capers for garnish

Method

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • To make a crust:
  • In a food processor, mix cream cheese and margarine.
  • Add salt and flour.
  • Mix until a ball forms.
  • Refrigerate.
  • Roll out on a floured surface to fit an 8inch fluted tart pan.
  • Weight with pie weights, beans or rice in foil, and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Cool, remove from pan and set aside.
  • To make filling:
  • Plunge tomatoes into simmering water for 15 seconds.
  • Drain.
  • Remove skin and seeds.
  • Place tomatoes in roasting pan with 1/2 teaspoon of the garlic, 1/3 cup of olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
  • Bake for 1 1/2 hours.
  • Cool slightly and coarsely chop.
  • In a small saucepan, bring vinegar to boil, and cook until reduced to 2 tablespoons.
  • Add reduced vinegar to the tomato mixture and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the remaining 2 teaspoons garlic and cook until golden.
  • Remove and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
  • Increase heat and sear portobello strips on all sides until browned.
  • Stir in the reserved garlic, turn off heat but keep warm.
  • To assemble:
  • Place spinach in the cooled tart shell.
  • Arrange warm portobellos like spokes of a wheel on top of spinach.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Top with mozzarella.
  • (the tart may be assembled to this point and set aside.)
  • Preheat the broiler.
  • Broil briefly until cheese is melted.
  • Drizzle each slice with tomato vinaigrette, garnish with capers and serve warm