ROASTED ROMA TOMATOES ON TOAST

Roasted Roma Tomatoes on Toast image

Make the lemon cheese and olive-oil toast while the tomatoes are roasting. However, if you choose you can make the tomatoes through the roasting stage and make the lemon cheese up to 2 days ahead. Bring to room temperature before serving. First appeared in Sunset Magazine, 2003. It makes 8 appetizer servings or 4 main dish servings.

Provided by Manami

Categories Lemon

Time 1h50m

Yield 8 appetizers, 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs roma tomatoes, rinsed and cored (8 equal size)
1 (8 ounce) onions, peeled and finely chopped
3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar or 1/2 cup Splenda granular, substitute sugar
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups arugula leaves, stemmed, rinsed, and drained
salt
fresh ground black pepper
8 slices sourdough bread (1/2-inch thick) or 8 slices ciabatta (1/2-inch thick)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup cream cheese
1/3 cup packed fresh chevre cheese (goat cheese)
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

Steps:

TOMATOES:.
Cut tomatoes in half lengthwise.
Lay halves cut side up in a single layer in an 8- by 12-inch oval or rectangular casserole (rim should be at least 1/2 inches higher than tomatoes).
In a 1 1/2- to 2-quart pan, combine onion, vinegar, sugar, olive oil, crushed red pepper flakes(if usng) and ginger.
Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring often.
Pour over tomatoes.
Roast in a 400°F oven (convection not recommended) until tomatoes are dark brown and sauce is browned and thickened (bubbles will be large and shiny), about 1 1/4 hours; baste tomatoes with sauce and onions about every 15 minutes at first, then more frequently as mixture begins to thicken, to avoid scorching.
Use hot, warm, or at room temperature.
ASSEMBLY:.
Spread lemon cheese equally on oiled sides of the olive-oil toast slices.
Set on plates and cover equally with arugula leaves.
Spoon tomatoes and juices equally onto toast slices.
Add salt to taste.
LEMON CHEESE:.
In a food processor or bowl, combine cream cheese (at room temperature), fresh chèvre (goat cheese), milk, and grated lemon peel.
Whirl or beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until blended.
OLIVE OIL TOAST:.
Lay 8 slices of rustic white bread such as sourdough or ciabatta (about 3 by 4 in., cut about 1/2 inches thick) in a single layer in a shallow 10- by 15-inch pan.
Bake in a 375°F oven until lightly browned on the bottom, 5 to 6 minutes.
Turn slices over and brush equally with about 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil.
Continue baking until golden brown and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes longer.
Use warm, or let cool on a rack.