Easy Southern Tomato Pie for 8 Servings with Fresh Tomatoes

Instructions:

1. Prep the tomatoes. Slice 2.5 lbs of fresh tomatoes into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Lay them in a single layer on paper towels and sprinkle with 1 tsp sea salt. Note: This draws out the moisture so your pie isn't soggy.
2. Wait and dry. Let the tomatoes sit for 30 minutes, then pat the tops firmly with more paper towels.
3. Par bake the crust. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Prick the bottom of your 9 inch deep dish crust with a fork and bake for 8-10 minutes until pale gold and set.
4. Create the barrier. Sprinkle 1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs evenly over the bottom of the warm pie crust. Note: These will absorb any leftover juices during baking.
5. Mix the topping. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup cheddar, 1/2 cup Monterey Jack, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup diced onion, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir until well blended and thick.
6. Layer the fruit. Place a layer of dried tomato slices into the pie shell, then top with a sprinkle of 1/2 cup fresh basil ribbons.
7. Continue layering. Repeat the tomato and basil layers until all 2.5 lbs of tomatoes are tucked into the crust.
8. Seal the top. Spread the cheese and mayonnaise mixture evenly over the tomatoes, making sure to seal it all the way to the edges of the crust.
9. Bake to perfection. Place in the oven for 30-35 minutes at 375°F (190°C) until the topping is bubbly and golden brown.
10. Rest before slicing. Let the pie sit on a wire rack for 15 minutes until the filling is set and no longer jiggly. > Chef's Tip: If the edges of your pie crust start to get too dark before the cheese is bubbly, simply wrap a little bit of aluminum foil around the rim of the dish to protect it from the heat. Resting the pie is perhaps the hardest part of the whole process. I know you'll want to dive in immediately, but if you cut it too soon, the layers will slide apart. That 15 minute window allows the melted cheese and mayo to firm up just enough to hold the tomato slices in place, giving you those clean, beautiful wedges that look like they belong in a magazine. Vibrant Roasted Tomato and Basil Hummus Recipe Homemade Dip — Elevate your nibbles platter with this Roasted Tomato and Basil Hummus Its su...Creamy Vegan Gnocchi Tomato Sauce So Easy So Dreamy — Dreaming of Creamy Vegan Gnocchi Tomato Cream Sauce This easy recipe uses a c...Pink Sauce: Velvety Chefs Classic Creamy Tomato Sauce — Discover the proper, sophisticated Pink Sauce recipe inspired by Italian trat... $img_2$