From the menu of … Anis Cafe & Bistro, 2974 Grandview Avenue, Atlanta. 404-233-9889, www.anisbistro.com
Q: I imagine this is a very simple recipe but it was so delicious. At a friend's birthday lunch at Anis Cafe and Bistro, I ordered the Tartare de Tomate. Perfect! Please ask them to share the secret. — Marsha Scott, Atlanta
A: Arnaud Michel, owner of Anis Cafe & Bistro, provided this recipe, a menu staple for many years. He created it as a French twist on popular tomato-mozzarella dishes and designed it to resemble a tomato confit, as they eat in Provence. Since the tomatoes are roasted, this dish is as delicious in the winter as it would be in the summer.
Anis Cafe & Bistro’s Tartare de Tomate
Michel says the longer the tomatoes drain after roasting, the better your dish will be.
Saba vinegar is similar to balsamic and is available at Star Provisions and Cook’s Warehouse. If you can’t find it, substitute it with a good balsamic. Saba is a little more sweetened and concentrated because it has been reduced longer.
12 Roma tomatoes (about two pounds)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
8 ounces fresh buffala mozzarella
4 ounces baby arugula
1/2 cup Saba vinegar
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Have a rimmed baking sheet ready.
Core tomatoes and cut in half lengthwise. Arrange baking sheet, cut side up. Sprinkle with olive oil and chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper. Bake 1 hour. Remove from oven and allow to come to room temperature. When cool, chop tomatoes and put in a strainer or colander. Allow to drain.
When ready to serve, roughly chop mozzarella. Set a ring mold in the center of a serving plate. Fill almost to the top with reserved chopped tomatoes. Add mozzarella on top and remove the ring. Continue with three more plates. Sprinkle arugula over mozzarella and drizzle with vinegar. Serve immediately. Serves: 4
Per serving: 471 calories (percent of calories from fat, 77), 14 grams protein, 13 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 42 grams fat (13 grams saturated), 51 milligrams cholesterol, 259 milligrams sodium.
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