Tomato millefeuilles — Millefeuille de tomates
“Oh, that’s so nice!” my friend E. exclaimed when I placed the small plates on the table. She had stopped by on her way back from the market and I had asked her to stay for lunch. I wanted to share my tomatoes with her, or else I was worried they would spoil too quickly. So it didn’t matter that I didn’t have real lunch plans. I remembered the tomatoes lined on the kitchen window sill, perfectly happy it seemed to receive more of the warm afternoon sun, and the idea of tomato millefeuilles popped into my head.
So this is one of the ways we started to eat our delicious Heirloom tomatoes, dressed up in a millefeuille. The flavor of tomatoes stands as the queen in this summery dish. It’s a classic: fine slices of fresh mozzarella with juicy sun-filled tomatoes, olive oil with body, the best you have handy, fragrant basil, a tasteful aged balsamic vinegar and salt with character. The association works at each time.
And for the days that followed, I prepared the same appetizer for P. and I, with this time, the tomatoes more casually layered on a plate.
It’s a dish simple to prepare, one that makes you rejoice about summer.
And homegrown seasonal tomatoes.
The recipe here is only a rough guideline. I am so sure we do not need a recipe. The key is to think the best ingredients you can find.
I sometimes make a pesto too which I brush on the slices of mozzarella between the layers. It’s really delicious. Try it!
You need:
- Heirloom tomatoes or/and homegrown
- Mozzarella
- Fleur de sel
- Cracked black pepper
- Basil leaves
- Fruity olive oil with body
- Aged balsamic vinegar
Steps:
- Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella finely. Try to make slices of equal sizes to make pretty-looking millefeuilles (they won’t fall). Also, cut a small pieces at the bottom of each tomato so that it is stable.
- Layer a slice of tomato, basil, mozzarella and season with pepper between each slice.
- When you are ready to serve, drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar (if using, I sometimes like olive oil only) and fleur de sel. Add more basil, and don’t forget a good countryside crusty bread, to dip the bread in the dressing. Eat as often and as long as the tomatoes are seasonal. It’s super easy but so rewarding. And pretty on the table.
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c’est simple et beau, parfait!
Comment by frichtidelasouris — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 7:58 am
Oooh! Stunning and delicious Bea!
Comment by Peter G — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 8:10 am
wonderfully simple and gorgeous.
Comment by beyond — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 8:26 am
Great picture, it looks so delicious… unfortunately I don’t like cold tomatoes *g*.
Comment by Milliways — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 8:38 am
Simple, chic et savoureux! Magnifique!
Comment by Valérie — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 9:43 am
beautiful photo!
Comment by El — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 9:48 am
Très jolie présentation pour un désormais classique de la cuisine
Comment by FANETTE — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 9:49 am
D’une fraîcheur et simplicité vraiment séduisante. Tout devient doux , raffiné et gourmand chez toi. Bonne journée
Comment by Dada — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 10:00 am
so simple, fresh and beautiful! perfect for the last days of summer!
Comment by Aran — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 10:10 am
Delicious! Tomatoes are summer, aren’t they? Love the lazy river photo behind the garden. Is it your home in France?
Comment by valérie-jeanne — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 10:33 am
Superbe… et superbe photo! Bravo!
Comment by Hèle Heldé — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 11:19 am
Thank you everyone!
Valérie-Jeanne, c’est la maison d’un ami ici qui habite une superbe maison au sud de Boston. C’est le “marsh” qui donne sur l’océan.
Comment by Béa — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 am
Des photos superbes, on a envie de croquer dans ce mille feuilles
Comment by chapot — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 11:35 am
Ooh… these look beautiful. I bought some tomatoes and eggplant at the farmer’s market and was planning to make something similar by grilling the eggplant and then stacking slices of it with slices of tomato.
Comment by Megan — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 11:40 am
L’essentiel, c’est la qualité des ingrédients… et le talent de la photographe!
Comment by Dominique (De vous à moi...) — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Just when I thought I had enough of my very fruitful crop, another idea! Huzzah!
Comment by Ivy — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Beautiful presentation! Summer on a pretty plate
Comment by Rose — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Lovely….all the elements for an Insalata Caprese
Comment by Kitchen Butterfly — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Beautiful take on caprese!
Comment by Michele — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Si simple et si beau, et surtout si bon!
Comment by Palaisdeslys — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 4:19 pm
These are just the cutest little edibles. I had no idea a millefeuille was so festive! There’s something very Cat in the Hat about their posture on the plate and I just want to giggle while I nibble away on them. Okay, perhaps the rhyming thing kicks in as well….
Comment by Kim--at the Paper Apron — On September, 3rd, 2009 at 7:39 pm
you have the most beautiful photos…
Comment by peachkins — On September, 4th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Simple, special, perfect…. as always Bea.
I can almost feel the tomatoes against my skin when you describe them warm on the window sill!
Comment by Rach P — On September, 4th, 2009 at 3:13 am
big big love~~~~~~
Comment by YOYO love cooking — On September, 4th, 2009 at 4:48 am
Very pretty. I’m not a fan of tomatoes but this makes me wanna bite into some!
Comment by Wynnii — On September, 4th, 2009 at 5:04 am
Love the tomatoes leaning tower of Piza and the still life with heirloom tomatoes.
Comment by Natasha — On September, 4th, 2009 at 5:39 am
Wonderful pictures, Bea! You’re right, tomatoes and mozzarella it’s a classic!
Comment by a_krol — On September, 4th, 2009 at 6:26 am
Absolutely stunning!
A very well executed image. The tomatoes just pop off the screen.
Comment by Passport Foodie — On September, 4th, 2009 at 7:24 am
[...] stretch out, preferably on grass and lay under a leafy tree and take a nap. So it’s a good thing tomatoes are everywhere right [...]
Pingback by The Petit Four » Blog Archive » Homegrown Tomatoes* — On September, 4th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Beautiful presentation!
Comment by christina — On September, 4th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Simply beautiful…
Comment by Jescel — On September, 4th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
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Pingback by Millefeuille de Tomates at DeStructUred Blog — On September, 6th, 2009 at 8:35 am
Beautiful!! I absolutely ADORE tomatoes, particularly with mozzarella, balsamic, & basil!! Pure Heaven.This September the tomatoes that a friend and I planted have finally started to ripen. They’re small (Green Zebra) and I am SO excited to start using them! Beautiful post, as always.
Comment by Amanda Bankert — On September, 8th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Gorgeous!! A definite must-try!
Comment by Foodhogger — On September, 8th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Absolument trop mimi ce petit mille feuille….bravo !!!
Comment by Sandrine — On September, 8th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
It’s very wonderful !! your photos are very beautiful !!
bises
Céline de France !
Comment by céline — On September, 12th, 2009 at 2:43 pm