Tomato and Cottage Cheese Tart

A good tart is like a good friend, they are always there when you need them the most. Tarts are particularly handy to keep in the fridge as a pre-prepared meal; for those nights when you come home late from work and can’t be bothered cooking; for those afternoons when your friends pop by unexpectedly; for those times when you’re in a rush in the morning and a slice makes for the perfect on-the-go breakfast. Unlike a traditional tart, I’ve used a high fibre base of quinoa and psyllium husk, bound together simply with an egg, making the perfect, crisp, gluten free, pastry alternative.

Tomatoes work exceptionally well in a delicious roasted tart, accompanied with a high protein, low fat cottage cheese. I’ve used Blush® Tomatoes – Super Toms; one of Blush® Tomatoes three brand new selections of vine-ripened and handpicked speciality tomatoes that are grown in Australia’s largest and most advanced glasshouse facility located in the regional town of Guyra, Northern NSW. Each variety (Pepper Tom™, Sweet Berry Truss and Super Tom™, found in Woolworths nation-wide)  are naturally bred for their colour, innovative appearance, high taste and ability to be used in creative or everyday meals and snacking occasions. I used the Super Toms for this dish, being one of the worlds sweetest cherry tomatoes, these little heirloom orange gems are ideal for everyday use in salads, sandwiches and sauces and make the perfect addition to this high protein, low carb, savoury tart, which you can eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

I’ve kept this tart simple, the bursting flavour of the Super Toms tomato is accompanied by subtle hints of lemon thyme, garlic and basil. Combined with the high fibre quinoa base and protein rich cottage cheese, you have one nutritionally complete, wholesome meal the whole family will love.

Tomatoes contain Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant responsible for the vibrant red colour of tomatoes.

• Tomatoes are a source of calcium, Vitamin C & Vitamin A, which help the body absorb iron and contribute to healthy, skin, muscles, bones, hair and teeth

• Tomatoes contain fibre, which is known to benefit the digestive system as well as lowering cholesterol

• Tomatoes are a source of folate, important during pregnancy and helps to protect against osteoporosis and anaemia

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa

2.5 cups water

3 tbs nutritional yeast

3 tbs psyllium husk

2 large, free range eggs

pinch of salt and pepper.

Lemon thyme.

500g full fat cottage cheese

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 punnet of Blush® Tomatoes – Super Toms

Balsamic vinegar

Method

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius and and grease a tart pan with coconut oil. Sprinkle  a little psyllium husk over the pan to prevent the recipe from sticking.

Rince the quinoa then place on the stove with the water and bring to a boil, reduce and simmer until water has evaporated and quinoa is light and fluffy. Allow to cool

In a bowl mix the quinoa, nutritional yeast, psyllium husk, eggs, salt and pepper and combine well. Place in tart pan and press down firmly ensuring a even layer on the bottom and up the sides, forming the crust.

Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.

In a separate bowl mix the cottage cheese, basil, parsley and garlic together. Spoon on to the cooked tart base.

Cut the Blush® Tomatoes – Super Toms in half and press down on top of the cheese. Sprinkle with twigs of lemon thyme and place in the oven for another 10 – 15 minutes.

Drizzle a little balsamic vinegar and serve warm.

Alternatively, store in an air tight container and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Blush® products are currently making waves just in time for summer in Woolworths stores across NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and TAS.

Check out these sun kissed, flavoursome vine-ripened Australian tomatoes here Blushtomatoes.com.au