I never used to believe in afternoon siestas. As far as I was concerned, they were for babies, elderly people, cats or wimps. Even on the odd occasion I tried to have one because I was feeling super sleepy, I would lie down and close my eyes for five minutes maximum before I started to fidget and think about all the things I had to do. Precisely one minute later I would jump up and get on with things, totally unrefreshed. But at least I wasn’t a lightweight who couldn’t get through a normal day without crashing half way through, I suppose I reasoned to myself.
And then I went to live in Greece. Where EVERYONE and their father, grandma, dog and cat have a nap in the afternoon on a roasting hot summer Sunday afternoon. Or any other time, it seems. To the point where it’s borderline a bit rude to make too much noise in the late afternoon. After all, how else are you supposed to go out to eat at 10pm, party until close to dawn and still manage to be at work for 8am? Not that I know anything about that sort of behaviour myself of course. Oh, OK then, I might have joined in once or twice. Well, you know, when in Rome … (and, incidentally, the ancient Romans used to have a 2 to 3 hour nap in the afternoon – perhaps it’s no coincidence that their empire lasted for over a thousand years!)
Seriously, though, I never fully understood why it’s necessary to go out quite so late, but one thing is for sure … these days I don’t think twice about having a little nap if I feel like I need it. And after just doing a teensy bit of research on ‘naps’ I think I might possibly be onto something. Apparently a nap of about 20 to 30 minutes long is best to improve mental alertness, mood, memory and creativity afterwards without having that awful groggy feeling but even a 2-minute nap can be beneficial! Naps also improve your stamina and the quality of your night-time sleep. You’re in very good company if you’re a ‘napper’, too – apparently Churchill, JFK, Napoleon, Einstein, Thomas Edison & Bill Clinton all loved their afternoon snoozes. Obviously all these people were/are super clever and successful soooo … you + napping = super clever and successful, too???
The most fascinating little tidbit I found has to be that there are apparently 4 different kinds of naps. There’s the nano-nap, like when you fall asleep for a few seconds or so on public transport, the micro nap that lasts for 2 to 5 minutes (like when you fall asleep at your desk at work, for example, but shhhhh, don’t tell anyone about that one …), the original 20 minute or so power nap and the lazy nap of 50 to 90 minutes, which really borders on being a proper sleep rather than a nap. I’ll take any of those kinds of naps I can get, thank you very much!
OK, well this is all very interesting, you’re probably thinking, but I just want to know how to make this delicious-looking baby tomato, pesto & prosciutto tart, so get on with telling me how. Well, OK, I can’t blame you for that.
It’s just that it was after one such ‘sensible’ power nap this past weekend crammed into the midst of almost back-to-back activities such as a 10k walk/run around the river, shopping for gifts, afternoon drinks with a friend, an 18th birthday party (boy, did I feel old), veggie shopping at the market and yet more drinks with friends that this simple little puff pastry tart was born.
This is one of those meals that I’ve always thought looked tasty and wanted to have a go at but just never have … until now. In my humble opinion, it’s simple enough to pull together in a matter of minutes but impressive enough to serve to guests. The best thing is that you just use a readymade square or oblong sheet of puff pastry, which is readily available in every supermarket, and pretty much just use it as it is (perfect for a pastry-making phobic like me!) All you have to do is lay it out on a baking tray lined with baking paper, score around the edge (about 11/2 cm in) and pop it in the oven for about 5 minutes. When you bring it out, it’s started to puff up, so you simply push down the part inside the area you scored. As so …
Then you’re ready to add your chosen toppings, just as you would to a pizza. For this first attempt of mine at such a tart, I decided to spread the bottom with ricotta cheese and a little lemon zest, followed by homemade pesto, small plum tomatoes and slices of prosciutto. Couldn’t be easier! I put it back in the oven for roughly 15 minutes, sprinkled over fresh basil and hey presto, I had myself a truly delicious lunch – perfect with a fresh green salad on the side.
So hopefully I’ve given you two little gifts in this post – an easy, tasty lunch idea and an excuse to get really lazy this coming weekend. Happy snoozing!
[Don’t forget you can still enter the draw to win a $250 Amazon gift card. The giveaway runs until Monday 29th September! Good luck!]
Baby tomato, pesto & prosciutto tart
Ingredients
- 1 sheet of store bought puff pastry de-frosted if bought frozen
- 2/3 cup ricotta cheese
- zest of 1 lemon
- salt & pepper
- pesto homemade or good quality jarred
- 7 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes halved
- 3 ounces prosciutto torn into pieces
- fresh basil
- a little olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
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Pre-heat the oven to 390F/200C. Then place the pastry on a large baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Score all around the edge with a knife, leaving a border of about 1½ cm (make sure you don’t cut all the way through the pastry).
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Combine the ricotta cheese with the lemon zest and a little freshly ground salt & pepper in a small bowl. Put aside.
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Bake the pastry for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven and push the centre of the tart down with the back of a spoon (leave the rim of the tart puffed up).
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Now add your toppings. First spread the ricotta mixture over the tart, then add small spoonfuls of pesto and the tomatoes (cut side up is nice). Bake for another 10 minutes, then add the prosciutto, drizzle over a little olive oil and cook for another 5 minutes until the tart is golden and puffy.
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Finally, sprinkle the finished tart with fresh basil leaves. Serve with a fresh crisp salad and enjoy!
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miss b says
I always have a pack of this pastry in the freezer as I often make similar tarts using basil, tomatoes and local cheese or feta and red onion. I’m always looking for new variations and this one looks and sounds scrummy! Interesting about taking naps. I’ve never been a napper but maybe I should try!
Helen says
Yes, try taking some naps!! You’ll never look back 😉
I like the idea of adding red onion and feta to a tart like this. I’ll have to try that!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
This sounds so good, and really easy to make. Perfect for if you have guests over.
Helen says
It really is perfect for a lunch for guests, in my opinion. So glad you like it, Dannii!
Allison says
Helen, this tart. It’s magical. I LOVE PUFF PASTRY! And the pesto addition would be insane. This is so sophisticated, I really should whip this up next time I have friends over. What a gorgeous recipe!
As for naps, I love a little 30 minute nap when I can, but I generally never get time for one. I think I need to schedule one in for today 😉
Helen says
So glad to have inspired you to at least think about having a nap today, Allison! 😉
I’m also very happy that you feel tempted to try making this for friends. I’m sure you could come up with a wonderful vegan variation on it, too!
Joanne says
I am really not great at napping unless I’m really sleep-deprived. I used to be good at it in college, but now not so much.
Love this tart! The toppings sound crazy awesome.
Helen says
It’s hard to nap when there’s always so much to do, isn’t it? But I definitely don’t feel guilty about it any more 😉
Glad you like my humble little tart!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I never knew there were so many different kinds of naps! I’m not a napper at all. My husband can take a 20 minute power nap, but for me, I need at least an hour or two…otherwise I wake up crabby! 🙂 This tart looks gorgeous, Helen! I love the pesto and prosciutto combination.These flavors are right up my alley!
Helen says
So glad you like the tart, Gayle! I love the idea of your hour or two long naps. Well, why not if you have the time? 🙂
Laura @ Raise Your Garden says
I use to take naps and love them and having kids messed that up. Your senses are so vibrant that you are so longer able to take that siesta, so so sad!
At least I have a new tart recipe to try – and I feel like I finally have permission to just go out and buy a puff pastry, something I’ve never allowed myself to do thinking I should be able to make it myself!! I think I even tried a spin on this recipe myself several years ago but seem to remember it bombed! My fault. Will have to try again, wish I could just goggle down yours =)
Helen says
Hi, Laura! I know what you mean about feeling like you have to make your own pastry, but as far as I know puff pastry is pretty fiddly to make for yourself so I have no guilty conscience about using store bought at all. I really hope you do give this another go … honestly, it was so so easy and yet tasted wonderful.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
This tart seriously looks outstanding!
Helen says
Thanks so much, Jocelyn!
Lilli @ Sugar and Cinnamon says
This looks so delicious! Pesto in a tart would be so good 🙂
Helen says
Thanks, Lilli! It was pretty delicious and I’ll definitely be making it again 🙂
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
This tart looks heavenly. I need to try these ASAP. Thanks for sharing 😉
Helen says
Thanks, Olivia! So glad you appreciate it!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Those nano naps on public transport sure can be revitalizing – sometimes I have felt more revved up from a “nano” nap than a full 90 minute snooze!
Helen I am so loving your ricotta, lemon and pesto base! This tart looks so elegant!
All this nap talk has me yawning my head off right now…
Helen says
Hehe … I felt tired too when writing this, Shashi! Sorry about that … 😉
I totally agree that the nano-naps can be really revitalizing. They’re a problem on the underground train in London, though. It’s not uncommon to see people dribbling on strangers’ shoulders because they’ve fallen asleep. 🙂
Meggan | Culinary Hill says
That is one tasty tart! Being preggers, I shamelessly nap almost every afternoon, for anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on the day. It definitely allows me to party late in to the night… to the tune of 9pm or 10pm. 🙂 I’m just lucky that my little guy Calvin still takes long naps, even longer ones if I tuck him into my bed with me for snuggle time. But back to the tart! Once again, just like your last post with the smoked salmon, you pick just a few of the tastiest ingredients around and put them together. The results are delicious yet elegant, understated, and gorgeous. Bravo, Helen!
Helen says
Aw, Meggan, I take all that as a HUGE compliment … thank you for the sweet comment! If I had a ‘testimonials’ section on my blog, this would definitely be on it! 🙂
I think your 3-hour naps sound wonderful, and of course you have the perfect excuse at the moment (hope you’re doing well, by the way). The problem might be stopping the naps after your baby is born!!
Isadora says
I never used to be a napper, but I really got into them when I went to college. To this day, I love napping and could probably take one everyday if I was able to. On another note, This tart looks amazing! Puff pastry is so good and I’m sure the pesto, tomato, and prosciutto taste awesome on it 🙂
Helen says
Me too! I tend to only have them at weekends … especially Sundays … but every day I’m tempted to!
cheri says
Beauty of a tart Helen, love the idea of naps, just can’t seem to take them, but now sleeping in, that’s my new thing, and I love it!
Helen says
Ooh, sleeping in! That’s what I like to do too, but I never seem to these days … hubby gets up too early!
Phoebe @ Feed Me Phoebe says
Impressive but easy! The best kind of lunch…especially with all those fresh veggies…mm
Helen says
Hi, Phoebe! So glad you like this … the fact that it’s impressive but easy is exactly why I like it. 🙂
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
Oh I am not a napper! Most of the time I wake up groggy and more tired than before the nap. A cup of coffee is usually my go-to for the afternoon slump. Now for this tart – wow! Helen this looks amazing. I love how the crust is simple and anything topped with prosciutto is a winner in my book. Pinning!
Helen says
Thanks so much for the pin, Alyssa! As I was researching ‘naps’ I read that a good idea is to have a cup of coffee and then go for a nap – that way you wake up totally alert and raring to go again … aparently. Well, it might be worth a try! 🙂
Eva says
Je suis un peu comme toi, impossible de me laisser aller, même quand je suis très fatiguée, je lute contre le sommeil mais parfois je fais la sieste original, celle de 20 minutes! Elle est très bien.
J’aime beaucoup ta tarte, elle a tout ce que j’aime! elle a un petit air méditerranéen ! Belles photos 😉
Helen says
Merci beaucoup, Eva! Tu as raison que la tarte a un air mediterraneen! Je crois que la mediterranee doit etre dans mon sang maintenant! 🙂
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says
These tarts are absolutely adorable Helen! Love the pesto and baby tomatoes!
Helen says
Thanks, Jess! Glad you like it! 🙂
[email protected] The Gastronomic Bong says
This tart looks lovely and colourful! I love pesto and tomato combination.. beautiful tart!! 🙂
Helen says
Thanks so much, Arpita!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I’m a terrible napper too! I wake up extremely grumpy, hungry and in need of a shower. However I’d be all over this tart should I wake up from a nap! 😛
Helen says
I’m glad this tart would have the power to rouse you from a good nap, Lorraine!
marcie says
I could use a siesta about every day — I swear I feel so much better if I get a “power nap” in. It’s rare, but once in a blue moon it’ll happen. 🙂 This tart looks delicious, and I love all the fresh tomatoes! What a delicious combination. Pinning.
Helen says
Thanks so much for pinning, Marcie! I guess it’s much easier to have ‘power naps’ if you don’t have children 😉
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
I so believe in afternoon naps but I really can never ever sleep no matter how hard I try. Lovely tart.
Helen says
Hi, Bintu! So glad you like the tart!
whatjessicabakednext says
This tart looks right up my street, Helen! Love every single flavour, the salty proscuitto with pesto is my favourite flavour combo! Definitely bookmarking this to try! 😀
Helen says
I really hope you do try something like this some time, Jessica. I bet you could come up with your own creative version! Have a great weekend!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
I could totally get used to a siesta in my afternoons! This tart looks AMAZING! Pinning it to make for a holiday gathering. 🙂 Have a lovely weekend, my friend!
Helen says
Thanks for pinning, Tina! It would be perfect for a holiday gathering!
I hope you have a great weekend, too! 🙂
Liz says
I love everything about this tart! All my favorite ingredients…from the puff pastry to the prosciutto to the pesto. DELISH!
Helen says
Aw, thanks, Liz! So glad you like it!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
Love the flavour combination Helen. I cannot nap in the afternoon, as much as I would love to 🙂
Helen says
Thanks, Tandy! So glad you like this!