Tomato Cobbler with Blue Cheese Biscuits: A Summertime Symphony
Are you ready to tantalize your taste buds with a dish that effortlessly marries the sweetness of summer tomatoes with the bold tang of blue cheese? Seeking to elevate your culinary repertoire with a recipe that sounds like poetry on a plate? Then prepare to fall in love with the sumptuous layers of flavors and textures in our Tomato Cobbler with Blue Cheese Biscuits!
Imagine biting into a flaky biscuit, its savory richness punctuated with the piquancy of blue cheese, atop a bed of succulent, roasted tomatoes, their sweetness enhanced by a delicate kiss of aromatic herbs. This dish is not just a meal, it’s a delightful experience for your senses. Pair it with a light, crisp salad to cut through the decadence, or with a glass of your favorite wine to bring out the robust flavors. As you embark on this culinary journey, remember that the key to perfection lies in the quality of your tomatoes and the enjoyment of the process.
Recipe Information
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes
- Difficulty: Intermediate
Ingredients
For the Blue Cheese Biscuits:
- 240g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 15ml (1 tablespoon) baking powder
- 1.25ml (1/4 teaspoon) baking soda (optional)
- 12g (1 tablespoon) granulated sugar
- 2.5g (1/2 teaspoon) kosher salt
- 2.5g (1/2 teaspoon) freshly cracked black pepper
- 42g (3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 42g (3 tablespoons) vegetable shortening, cold and cubed (or an equal amount of unsalted butter)
- 60g (1/2 cup) blue cheese crumbles
- 120-180ml (1/2 to 3/4 cup) cold buttermilk
For the Tomato Filling:
- 30ml (2 tablespoons) olive oil
- 14g (1 tablespoon) unsalted butter
- 1-2 large onions, finely sliced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 30ml (2 tablespoons) balsamic vinegar or red wine
- 900g (2 pounds) cherry tomatoes (with optional heirloom tomato wedges)
- Handful of fresh herbs: basil, thyme, oregano, and parsley, coarsely chopped
- 22g (3 tablespoons) all-purpose flour
- 2.5ml (1/2 teaspoon) red pepper flakes
- Salt and coarsely ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparing the Biscuits:
- Sift together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and black pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
- Work in the fats: Incorporate the cold cubed butter and shortening into the dry mix using your fingertips until achieving a crumbly texture.
- Fold in the blue cheese: Add the cheese crumbles and mix to distribute evenly.
- Moisten with buttermilk: Make a well in the center, pour in the buttermilk, and combine to form a tacky dough.
- Gently knead: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it, and chill while preparing the filling.
Creating the Tomato Filling:
- Caramelizing the onions: Sauté onions in olive oil and butter until golden, stir in garlic towards the end.
- Finish with balsamic: Remove from heat and stir in the balsamic vinegar or wine.
- Prepare the dish: Grease the baking dish and evenly spread the tomato mixture.
- Roster: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the filling for 20 minutes.
Assembling and Baking:
- Shape the biscuits: Roll chilled dough on a floured surface and cut out biscuit shapes.
- Layering: Place the biscuits over the cooked filling, brush with buttermilk, season with salt and pepper.
- Bake to perfection: Return to the oven and bake until the biscuits are golden and the filling bubbles.
- Rest before indulgence: Let cool slightly, then serve warm and revel in the flavors.
Tips for Success
- For an extra-flaky biscuit texture, handle the dough as little as possible to keep the ingredients cold.
- Use the ripest tomatoes you can find for the sweetest, most flavorful cobbler filling.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, mix equal parts of plain yogurt and milk as a quick substitute.
FAQs
Can I use different types of cheese for the biscuits?
Yes, feel free to experiment with your favorite cheeses, keeping in mind that they should have a strong flavor to stand out in the biscuits.
How do I store the leftover tomato cobbler?
Cover the dish and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently before serving.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Absolutely, substitute the all-purpose flour for your preferred gluten-free blend in both the biscuits and filling.
Can I add other vegetables to the filling?
Of course, roasted bell peppers or zucchini can add delightful flavors and textures to the cobbler.
Is it necessary to chill the biscuit dough?
Yes, chilling the dough helps the fats remain solid, which results in flakier biscuits upon baking.