Happy Friday and happy first official weekend of SUMMER 2011.  With that, I offer a recipe that is just right for this weather.  I made this last week, on one of those nights when I was determined to use the half empty containers of food, rinds of cheese, and produce drawer remnants in my refrigerator to make something super yum.  It worked!

Spicy Tomato Tart

1 9″ tart shell, prebaked – I made mine, but do whatever suits your fancy

16 ounces diced tomatoes (my last half of a quart jar that I canned last summer!  Grow tomatoes, grow!)

1 tablespoon chipotles in adobo (I whirl the contents of a can in the food processor and keep in a jar in the fridge)

1 clove garlic, diced or pressed fine

salt, to taste

1/2 red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, and diced

1 cooked chicken breast, diced

1/4 cup fresh cheese (I used Black Sheep Creamery, but ricotta or cream cheese would be great, too)

1/4 cup white cheese, grated or in small pieces (I used Ancient Heritage Hannah, but jack, cheddar, or a low-moisture mozzarella would be good)

smoked paprika (optional)

Cook the diced tomatoes, chipotle, and garlic in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.  Let it get a good boil going and reduce until thick and just a tad watery (5-10 minutes) before adding salt, to your taste.  I should note that this is kind of spicy, so use less chipotle if you don’t want a warm mouth.  Spread the tomato mixture over the tart bottom.  It will look a little chintzy, but I assure you that it is just right.  Spread the bell pepper, chicken, and cheeses evenly over the surface.  Sprinkle with smoked paprika, if desired.  It looks pretty and adds a little flavor.  Bake at 400 until cheese starts to melt (5 minutes?).  Put under the broiler for a minute or two for nice color.

This is delicious served straight from the oven, at room temperature (picnic anyone?), or cold for breakfast the next morning.  It tastes really good with red wine, too.  I’m not normally a fan of reds (oh the headaches!) but we had this bottle of Sokol Blosser Meditrina (I’m a sucker for pretty packaging), and it was just right. Luscious, just like the label said.  Goldilocks was happy.

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Alan and Chaz…