I have been cooking up a storm recently in preparation for guests who are visiting my home in France. What I love most about cooking in France is the abundance of delicious fresh ingredients, especially the tomatoes – French tomatoes have a flavour all of their own. The best cooking, I think, is often the simplest, and with that in mind today I’m sharing with you a traditional Côte d’Azure recipe for tarte tomates et mozzarella, a light and tasty tart with the Mediterranean flavours of tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese. It’s easy to buy the ingredients in your local supermarket – the better the quality, the better the taste. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 packet ready-to-roll puff pastry

4 large tomatoes (fresh plum ones work well), cut into thin slices

Large ball of buffalo mozzarella, cut into thin slices

Handful of fresh basil leaves

Balsamic vinegar

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C (gas mark 6).
2. Roll out the pastry and cut into circles (I use a large coffee mug as a cutter). Prick the pastry all over with a fork.
3. Cover the pastry with the mozzarella slices.
4. Drizzle a balsamic vinegar over the mozzarella, and grind a little black pepper over too.
5. Cover with the tomato.
6. Season with a little salt.
7. Place in the preheated oven and leave to bake for about 30 minutes, until the pastry is golden and well risen.
8. Remove from the oven, and drizzle a little olive oil over. Add a sprinkling of basil leaves.

Variations: Make one large tart, then slice up once cooked. Sprinkle with parmesan before baking. Add a little roast chicken and roasted red peppers.