My dearest friends and readers, I have missed you. It seems like an eternity since I’ve been on my computer, on WordPress, typing away. First of all, I’d like to thank all those wonderful friends who have left comments on my Facebook, have chatted with me and sent me emails. I so, so, appreciate your love and thoughtfulness.
It has been a busy summer for me. I celebrated the end of Ramadan in Houston because I really needed to see my family and to feel the comfort, love and support only family and close friends can bring. It was a bit of a sad Ramadan for me and I really wanted to trade my tears for smiles again. If you know me, you’ll know that I’m never without a smile on my face. My thought on this matter is that I just don’t have time to be in a bad mood. It takes entirely too much energy to be grumpy.
We had a wonderful mini vacation to Houston, San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth. It was exhilarating to be with family again and laugh too much, eat too much and sleep not enough! I came back energised and ready to get cooking, baking, photographing and blogging.
At least that was the plan. Ever since I’ve been back, happy busyness has been keeping me otherwise occupied. The end of the summer events have been keeping me busy as far as cooking goes, I had a few dinner parties that went fabulously and I’ve also been working every Saturday as the Thermador cooking demo person.
In all this busyness though, I have missed one thing, my blogging friends, my lovely readers and I’ve missed the friendship that only a blogger knows. It was time to come back.
I, honestly, still don’t have time to cook and my family has been sorely neglected. I may be on the brink of a mutiny. But I manage to get food on the table; whether it is edible or not!
Since I cook every week on Saturdays for Thermador, I am going to start featuring those recipes until I can find a break to do my own blog cooking. I will tell you now, to excuse the bad photos because of the lighting in the showroom.
So, onto this Heirloom Tomato Pizza; it was supposed to be a tart. When I was heading off to the showroom for the demo, I left the tart shells in my freezer. Yep, big fail. However, I was also making a BBQ Chicken Pizza that day and had two rounds of pizza dough. I figured that a pizza was just as good as a tart, and you know what? It was pretty darn delicious.
Prep time:
Cook time:
Serves: 18-24 slices
- 3½ cups/500g all purpose/plain flour
- 2¼ teaspoon/1 sachet instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1-1½ cups warm water
- 1 15oz/425g container ricotta cheese
- 1 8oz/225g container mascarpone cheese
- 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
- ⅚ sprigs fresh thyme
- pepper
- 4-5 large assorted Heirloom Tomatoes, sliced
- extra thyme for springing over top
- There are many ways to make pizza dough.
- I usually dump all my dry ingredients into the mixer and mix,
- Add the warm water, 1 cup first and then drizzle as necessary.
- Let the mixer do the work, knead and become nice and smooth.
- Place the dough ball in a greased bowl abc cover with a towel to rise.
- About an hour at sea level but about 30-40 minutes at altitude.
- However, when I do this, I know my yeast is fresh and will rise.
- If you are unsure of the quality of your yeast, then let it proof with the water and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Then add to the flour, olive oil and salt.
- While the dough is rising, work on the tomatoes and the cheese mixture.
- Slice the tomatoes in a ¼ inch slice.
- Mix the ricotta and mascarpone together, add the thyme, salt and pepper.
- Be generous with the salt, but taste to ensure you don't over salt!
- Preheat the oven to 500F/250C
- Once the dough has risen, spread out the dough into a large sheet pan, I used a half sheet size.
- You could also divide the dough into ¾ pieces and make individual pizzas.
- Smear the cheese filling all over the dough and arrange the tomatoes over the top.
- Sprinkle a few thyme leaves but reserve some to place on top after baking.
- Place in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes.
- The tomatoes should be shrunk slightly and the crust and cheese lightly browned.
- Pull out of the oven and let cool a little before slicing.
I hope y’all have had a chance to try some heirloom tomatoes this season. They are so pretty and quite delicious.
Now, I’m dreading the impending…..pumpkin season. You know me and pumpkins. I guess we’ll see what I can muster up this pumpkin season to be a reputable blogger 🙂
I wish you all a very happy and productive week. I shall be by to visit you all very soon. Thank you for your patience, love and support!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
This has to be the most beautiful summery tart!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com recently posted..Bircher Muesli
laurasmess says
I’m so glad that you enjoyed some quality time away with those you love. Those are moments to be treasured, despite sleep deprivation or fatigue!! 🙂 I definitely love being part of the blogging family too though and it’s so nice to check in with you again! Love this super-beautiful heirloom tomato pizza. Your tomatoes are stunning, so vividly coloured, juicy and delicious. I can’t wait to make this (when I get home, argh! I miss my kitchen!) xx
laurasmess recently posted..Zucchini Ricotta Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter Sauce
My Inner Chick says
I’m not quite sure whether this is pizza or ART))
Gorgeous. WOW. x
My Inner Chick recently posted..13 Reasons She Stayed
Dedy@Dentist Chef says
Definitely delicious and worth to try tangy tomato pizza recipe!!
pretty damn beautifully captured too….
Francesca says
Without the moisture, these little tomatoes had me thinking you made a peach or pineapple tart! Either way, HALLOOOOOO and welcome back Nazneen. You’re radio silence was noticed and missed!
Nazneen Hamilton says
Is that your way of telling me I talk too much?? You know me so well 🙂 Feels good to be back and especially wonderful to hear from friends! Thanks Fran!
Margherita@lapetitecasserole says
Welcome back my dear! It’s great to read about you again… I hope you had good time with your family. The coincidence, I’ve just posted a very similar recipe… have a great we and keep in touch!
Margherita@lapetitecasserole recently posted..Focaccia stuffed with ricotta.
Nazneen Hamilton says
Thank you Margherita! It’s been wonderful hearing from everyone! I noticed your email in my inbox about the focaccia! Great minds think alike? xx
Balvinder says
Welcome back, Nazneen! I missed you and your wonderful posts. I love pizza and your heirlooms tomato pizza look so pretty!
Balvinder recently posted..Punjabi Dum Aloo
Nazneen Hamilton says
Thank you so much Balvinder! It feels good to be back with friends again. Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it!
easyfoodsmith says
Soooo good to have you back! Its wonderful to know that you had some great time with family and friends. They are such huge blessings from God.
The heirloom tomato pizza looks gorgeous and so tempting 😀
Nazneen Hamilton says
Thank you so much!!! So happy to see a comment from you my friend! I’ll be by to say hi soon!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
Hi, Nazneen!!! It is great to know that you are back, and was energized by your vacation…
The pizza not only looks delish but pretty as well. I think this is one of the prettiest that I have ever seen. Take care!!! xx
Nazneen Hamilton says
Thank you so much!! It was a much needed break and I feel great now. Hope you’ve been well Denise!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
Nazneen, I was just thinking about you yesterday and wondering how you were doing. So glad to see this post from you this morning. And your photos are just as beautiful as ever. This pizza look incredible.
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) recently posted..Easy Cheesy Chile and Pasta Mexican Breakfast Casserole
Nazneen Hamilton says
Thank you Lea Ann!! We still need to get together one day! Let’s plan something soon xx
Bam's Kitchen says
Welcome back Nanzeen! I am glad you had a little well needed respite over the summer holiday. I love this meant to be a tart heirloom tomato pizza. Beautiful! Take Care
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted..Crab Stuffed Flounder
Choc Chip Uru says
I have missed your posts a lot my friend, it is so wonderful to have you back 😀
This pizza looks befitting royalty, so fresh and delicious!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Tell Me About JAG Australia?
Ansh says
It looks exquisite! I love a creamy pizza. Now if only I could get a deep deep deep discount on the Thermador, life would be good 😀
Ansh recently posted..Roth -The Sacred Cookies from Kashmir
Nazneen Hamilton says
Yes, keep trying and maybe I can make something happen…. Not! Even I can’t get them to budge on the price!! 🙂
Hotly Spiced says
I’m so glad you’re back, Nazneen. I have missed you and your cooking skills and beautiful recipes. I’m glad you have had a holiday and have come back refreshed. That’s great that you’re demonstrating Thermador and very brave of you too! I love heirloom tomatoes and they look very grand in this pizza xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..Gluten-Free Banana and Hazelnut Cake
Sugar et al. says
Hurray! You’re back! It’s awesome to hear from you again. Really really missed your posts and your presence in the blog world. And glad that you got a well-deserved break. Things have been busy at my end too with all the house moving etc Your pizza looks amazing as usual. I can’t wait to get hold of some beautiful tomatoes to make this. Stay in touch…DO NOT disappear again! Love.
Amira says
Oh, look who is here?!!! I’ve missed you so much my dear but I’m happy that you’ve spent this time very well , had fun and filled your heart with the warmth of family. Your pizza is very colorful and looks great.
Amira recently posted..From Djibouti: Isku deh-karis #MENA cooking club
Nazneen Hamilton says
Thank you Amira, my dear. I have missed being here and visiting you all. It’s just been hectic and it never seemed a good time to write again. Finally, I decided enough was enough! Time to come back! Thank you for your support xx
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Those heirloom tomatoes are so gorgeous!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Spelt Streusel Apple Bread
Nazneen Hamilton says
Thank you Angie! Yes, they are beautiful and so delicious!
Shashi @ runninsrilankan says
Welcome Back Mrs Thermador cooking demo person!!! So good to see you back Nazneen!!! So glad you had such a wonderful time with family and friends! And what a way to come back – this pizza is gorgeous (the pictures stunning) – those fresh heirloom tomatoes are mouthwatering!
Nazneen Hamilton says
Thank you Shashi! Feels good to be back amongst good friends! See you around my friend!
David says
Welcome home! Er, I mean, “Welcome back!” I think your idea of blogging on your Thermidor adventures is a great one. And this pizza was a great start! I might just turn it back to a tart this evening, as I have some homemade puff pastry in my fridge that needs using. Love the combo of ricotta and mascarpone! So glad to see you in my inbox this morning….
Nazneen Hamilton says
Awww, thank you so much my dear friend! It feels good to be back and to be with friends again 🙂 I hope you try this with your puff pastry! I bet it’ll be wonderful!
Gourmet Getaways says
Yey, you’re back! And what a comeback – a nice, lovely pizza with lots of cheese! Yum!
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Gourmet Getaways recently posted..Twine Restaurant Hunter Valley
Nazneen Hamilton says
Thank you!! Feels good to be back being productive 🙂
Karen Harris says
BEAUTIFUL photos Nazneen! This sounds like a perfect way to use up all those beautiful heirloom tomatoes I have rolling around in my vegetable crisper. Glad to see you back to blogging.
Karen Harris recently posted..Something From Nothing #28: Fresh Ricotta Cheese
Nazneen Hamilton says
Thank you so much Karen! I feel a bit rusty with the camera so I’m glad you like the photos!
Henna says
YAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!
I missed you and your posts SO much! So glad to see you back and in action!
Hey, tart/pizza, tomatoes/tomAHtoes 😉
Henna recently posted..Churros
Nazneen Hamilton says
Thank you Henna , my friend. It was time for me to come back, I miss this!