Rustic Tomato Galette

I’ve always preferred rustic food presentations over fancier ones, but that’s probably because I lack artistry and patience to create more formal presentations.

A perfect example is a pie. I’d much rather make a galette, which must actually looks like it’s haphazardly put together, instead of a pretty tart with glistening, criss-crossing lattice.

This is a perfect example – a plum galette made by Tasha, from Tasha’s Artisan Food. Stunning, in spite of its rusticity.

I’ve admired every blogger’s beautiful, summer fruit galettes lately on Instagram. But being that I’ll always choose savory over sweet, I’ve been thinking about how to turn a galette into a savory summer version. Tomatoes, of course!

So I created this galette reminiscent of a pizza marguerite. It’s simple, rustic, and flavorful.

And with summer-ripe tomatoes, it’s perfect for summer!

Rustic Tomato Galette

Pie dough to make a 10″ pie crust
1 cup basil-seasoned red sauce, well-reduced
2 pounds fresh tomatoes, sliced, seeded
8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls
Salt, freshly ground green or black pepper
Grated Parmesan, about 6 ounces
1 egg, well whisked
Garlic pepper
Fresh basil leaves

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spread a piece of parchment paper over a cookie sheet and set aside.

Using a minimal amount of flour, roll out the pie dough until it forms approximate 15″ in diameter. Gently slide it onto the parchment paper.

Have everything ready to go because the galette goes together quickly. The tomatoes must have drained on paper towels so as not to water down the pie.

Begin by placing the red sauce in the middle of the pie crust and spread around to about 8″ in diameter.

Add tomato slices in a round for form one layer. Add some of the mozzarella pearls, and season with salt and pepper.

After you’ve used about half of your tomatoes and mozzarella pearls, season again, then sprinkle with half of the Parmesan.

Continue with the layering until all the tomatoes are used up. Add the remaining pearls, remaining Parmesan, and season.

Brush the inside of the pie crust extension with the egg wash. Gently fold over the dough over the tomatoes, about every 5″ or so, letting the dough tell you where to place it.

Brush the egg wash inside the folds and all over the top of the dough. I seasoned it with a little garlic pepper, but that is optional.

Place the galette in the oven and set the timer for 45-50 minutes. Probably a real baker would have chilled the galette in the refrigerator for 30 minutes first, but I was hungry.

Let the galette sit for at least 25 minutes; this will firm up the cheese before slicing into it.

I sprinkled a few basil leaves over the top, and a few wisteria blossoms as well!

When you’re ready to slice into the galette, use a long sharp knife or a pizza cutter.

I must say, I like my addition of the basil-seasoned red sauce. It not only adds more flavor, but also a different texture to this galette.

And the cheeses are perfect. Grated Parmesan is always perfect, but I think the mozzarella pearls are preferable to slices.

This tomato galette is summer perfection, if I may say so myself!

By Published On: August 28th, 201747 Comments on Rustic Tomato Galette

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

47 Comments

  1. Nadia August 28, 2017 at 7:08 AM - Reply

    Love rustic dishes. Can you tell me why you prefer the mozzarella pearls to the slices or torn up chunks. I usually go for tearing up some burrata over pearls so would appreciate your insight.

    • chef mimi August 28, 2017 at 7:09 AM - Reply

      I just feel that large bites of mozzarella are harder to chew, unless you’re able to cut the slices, so for something like this I prefer the little dots of cheese.

      • Nadia August 28, 2017 at 8:43 AM

        You should try to tear chunks of burrata next time. Very creamy and delicious.

      • chef mimi August 28, 2017 at 11:04 AM

        Well burrata is a different story. It’s not rubbery

  2. Travel Gourmet August 28, 2017 at 7:56 AM - Reply

    What a great idea and gorgeous recipe. It looks delicious!!

    • chef mimi August 28, 2017 at 8:31 AM - Reply

      Thank you Kay! Fresh tomatoes are the only reason I put up with summer. (Like I have a choice!)

  3. cookingwithauntjuju.com August 28, 2017 at 8:37 AM - Reply

    Galettes, pies are always good – formal or rustic as I love them all. The fresh tomatoes are the key to your savory recipe and they do look perfect and juicy. Don’t you just love summer?

    • chef mimi August 28, 2017 at 11:04 AM - Reply

      Yes, but only for the vegetables and herbs in the garden. Otherwise I’m a much happier camper when it’s 30 degrees cooler!

  4. Tasty Eats Ronit Penso August 28, 2017 at 1:14 PM - Reply

    This looks so good. For me summer tomatoes and corn are the only good thing I can say about summer! :)

    • chef mimi August 28, 2017 at 1:54 PM - Reply

      Well we think alike! Not that I can speed up summer, but tomatoes definitely help me get through it every year! And herbs.

  5. Gerlinde @ Sunnycovechef August 28, 2017 at 3:49 PM - Reply

    Your galette looks beautiful and I am sure it tastes as good as it looks. I get my mozzarella pearls at Costco and they are delicious.

  6. Mary August 28, 2017 at 4:40 PM - Reply

    This has decided dinner for me tonight – nice and easy and I have most of the ingredients already. Although the Mozzarella is one big ball at the moment but will soon be chopped to ‘pearl size’ and just right. We are just approaching Summer which is nice for salad and fruit but ghastly for the heat!!

    • chef mimi August 28, 2017 at 5:03 PM - Reply

      Yes, it’s been ghastly here – counting the days until it cools down!

  7. Debra August 28, 2017 at 9:27 PM - Reply

    What a gorgeous galette, Mimi. I also like the rustic appearance. I have a lot of tomatoes and I think despite the awful heat I’d be willing to turn the oven on for a bit. :-) The mozzarella pearls is such a good idea and I’m happy for the hint!

    • chef mimi August 28, 2017 at 9:46 PM - Reply

      Thank you so much Debra! HOpe it cools off soon…

  8. dishinwithdidi August 29, 2017 at 4:58 AM - Reply

    Summer perfection is right! This looks beautiful! ♥

  9. Susan (@savoringtime) August 29, 2017 at 10:00 AM - Reply

    Beautiful tomato galette! We can’t get enough of those home grown tomatoes right now and this is a delicious way to use them.

  10. Kiki August 29, 2017 at 11:56 AM - Reply

    Looks delicious, and the pictures are beautiful – love the colours! I’ve yet to try my hand at galette, but keep meaning to make a sweet berry one before the season’s over.

    • chef mimi August 29, 2017 at 11:58 AM - Reply

      You should! I’ve never seen so many galettes before! I guess they’re the thing this year. And deservedly so.

  11. Elaine @ foodbod August 29, 2017 at 1:45 PM - Reply

    Absolute perfection!!!

  12. Our Growing Paynes August 29, 2017 at 2:18 PM - Reply

    This looks gorgeous! What a lovely idea for lunch or dinner.

    • chef mimi August 29, 2017 at 3:11 PM - Reply

      I was raised on quiche, which is maybe why to me there’s nothing better than a savory tart, served with a salad. It’s a perfect meal!

      • Our Growing Paynes August 29, 2017 at 3:16 PM

        Oh yes, they can be so good. And feeds the whole family

  13. Loretta August 29, 2017 at 7:40 PM - Reply

    Beautifully rustic, there’s nothing quite like a galette is there? So versatile too. Love the simple flavors you’ve used and it’s definitely going on my list before the summer veggies and fruit are over. Well done!

  14. kitchenriffs August 30, 2017 at 11:35 AM - Reply

    I love a galette, too — they look so enticing and interesting. Love your tomato one — I’ve made something similar in the distant, distant past, but yours looks ways better than I remember mine looking. But I’m kinda rustic when it comes to galettes. :-)

    • chef mimi August 30, 2017 at 12:57 PM - Reply

      I really doubt that anything you have made looks anything less than perfect! But I think a galette is perfect in its non-perfection state. Rustic appeals to me!

  15. Tiff August 30, 2017 at 8:22 PM - Reply

    Your blog posts make me very hungry! Thanks for sharing 😊

  16. Lisa @ cheergerm August 30, 2017 at 10:28 PM - Reply

    Mimi, I am the same, much prefer a rustic presentation. I know I could make it look super fancy but I just can’t be bothered! Ha ha… This looks great.

    • chef mimi August 31, 2017 at 9:12 AM - Reply

      Well I couldn’t do fancy if you had a gun pointed at my temple!!!

  17. Cocoa & Lavender August 31, 2017 at 8:22 AM - Reply

    What a terrific way to have a pizza without actually having to make pizza dough! Beautiful, Mimi! And the tomatoes have been amazing this year… Can’t wait to try it.

    • chef mimi August 31, 2017 at 9:07 AM - Reply

      Oh good. I actually had to buy these, my garden’s been a bit iffy.

  18. emmabarrett1508 August 31, 2017 at 11:18 AM - Reply

    Love this recipe. I will have to try it at home. Emma xx

  19. CakePants September 1, 2017 at 7:57 PM - Reply

    Absolutely beautiful! I can imagine how wonderful this must smell (and taste). The wisteria blossoms are a lovely finishing touch!

  20. JJ - 84thand3rd September 5, 2017 at 11:18 PM - Reply

    Love the idea of making a pizza-style galette! This looks mouthwatering.

  21. Jeff the Chef September 6, 2017 at 10:40 PM - Reply

    I really like rustic presentations, too. I think they look more homemade. Your galette sounds wonderfully rich!

  22. love in the kitchen September 11, 2017 at 8:38 AM - Reply

    Such a thing of beauty Mimi. I love the wisteria blossoms – are they edible? You say that you lack artistry. I beg to differ!

    • chef mimi September 11, 2017 at 9:38 AM - Reply

      You’re sweet. But throwing wisteria blossoms over a tart hardly counts! They are edible!

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