Tomato and corn pie

I generally feel that summer is a time for simple food. Life moves at a leisurely pace during the summer months (relatively speaking), and the seasonal produce doesn't need a lot of manipulation to taste awesome. But every once in a while, I get the urge to make something elaborate, something that will show off summer vegetables in a special way. This tomato and corn pie does just that. I have actually been wanting to make this recipe since 2009, ever since it was posted on Smitten Kitchen. Somehow three years went by, and  though the recipe crossed my mind often, I never got around to making it. I finally got my act together and gave it a try this past weekend, and I can't believe I waited this long! This recipe combines fresh tomatoes and corn with herbs and cheddar cheese, and encases it all in a flaky crust. It's really wonderful, ideal for a special summer dinner. I'd say it's perfect to serve to guests, except for the fact that you're not going to want to share...

Tomato and corn pie

Adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Makes one 9-inch pie

The pie might be quite wet when you first cut into it. If so, pour off (or drain with paper towels) any excess liquid after cutting the first slice. Also, the original recipe calls for peeling the tomatoes. I didn't bother with this step and the peels in the final product didn't bother me. If you want to peel the tomatoes, cut an X in the bottom of each tomato and drop into a pot of boiling water for 10 seconds. Immediately transfer tomatoes to a bowl of ice water to cool. Peels should come off easily.

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour (or all-purpose)

1 tbs baking powder

1 3/4 tsp salt, divided

6 tbs cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes, plus 2 tsp melted unsalted butter

3/4 cup whole milk

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 tbs fresh lemon juice

1 3/4 pounds plum tomatoes, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices, seeds removed

Kernels from 3 ears corn

2 tbs finely chopped fresh basil

1 tbs finely chopped scallions

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

7 oz. coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 400 deg F.

Combine flour, baking powder, and 3/4 tsp salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse ingredients together until well mixed. Add cold cubed butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Pour milk evenly over the top and pulse until mixture just comes together into a dough.

Gather dough into a ball and transfer to a well-floured surface. Cut dough into 2 equal pieces. Wrap one piece in plastic wrap and place in the fridge. Using a well-floured rolling pin, roll out the other piece of dough into a 12-inch round. Gently transfer dough to a 9-inch pie dish and trim overhang.

Whisk together mayonnaise and lemon juice until well blended. Arrange half of tomato slices in the pie dish, slightly overlapping slices. Sprinkle half of corn over tomatoes. Sprinkle 1 tbs basil, 1/2 tbs scallions, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper and half of grated cheese over the top. Repeat layering with the remaining tomatoes, corn, basil, scallions, salt and pepper. Pour lemon-mayonnaise mixture over the filling and top with the remaining grated cheese.

Remove second piece of dough from the fridge and roll it out to a 12-inch round. Place dough over the filling. Tuck any overhang under the edges of the bottom crust and pinch to seal. Cut four slits into the top crust and brush with 2 tsp melted butter.

Bake pie until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling, about 35 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool. Serve warm.

Leftover pie can be stored in the fridge (drain excess liquid before storing - see headnote). Reheat in a 350 deg F oven until filling is warmed through. If crust starts to get too dark during reheating, cover with foil.