Tis the season....for tomatoes!

I live in a county known far and wide around here for great tomatoes.  Hanover tomatoes are the best in the area hands down.  Don't know exactly why.....they just are.  Today was the annual "Tomato Festival".....unfortunately, it was also a day of thunderstorms and rain.  I didn't make it to the festival this year, but I had a celebration just the same.

 This week in our local county newspaper there was a recipe for tomato pie.  So I gathered all the ingredients and went to work.

 With newspaper in hand, I followed the recipe that was a family favorite of one of our hometown ladies.  Here's what you need:

 Pastry of a 1-crust 9-inch pie, unbaked.  I used a store bought deep dish pie shell.  Bake the shell at 450 degrees for 5 minutes. 

 Next, fill the baked pie shell with @4 cups of sliced firm ripe tomatoes sprinkled with salt, pepper and fresh chopped basil. (3 or 4 leaves)

 In a bowl, combine 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 1 large clove garlic, smashed and minced.  Mix well and spread over the tomatoes.  I also sprinkled a little mozzarella cheese on top.

 Bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 55 minutes (the recipe called for 35-45 minutes but it was still too soupy).  In fact, the next time I make this I will slice and dry the tomatoes on a paper towel.

Then enjoy!  I thought it was a perfect summer supper along with a green salad and fresh fruit.

Nothing quite like tomatoes in season......especially here in Hanover County, Virginia!

See ya!