Everything Rainbow Tomato & Chèvre Gratin

Serves 6.

This gratin is a game of contrast and balance — sweet, jammy tomatoes play against the tart, nutty subtleties of our Everything Rainbow. Topped with crisp breadcrumbs, colorful spices, and creamy goat cheese, it makes a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Serve with torn country bread for scooping up the tomatoey goodness or as a side with grilled chicken. Either way, a flinty white wine makes a welcome companion.   

For the gratin:
8-ounce log fresh goat cheese or chèvre
2 pints cherry tomatoes, cut in half (about 4 cups)
½ cup finely diced shallot
1½ teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons finely chopped mint leaves
4 teaspoons Everything Rainbow
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Black pepper, to taste

For the topping and breading:
¾ cup panko crumbs
¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Everything Rainbow
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat the oven to 400° F. Pop the goat cheese into the freezer for about 15 minutes — this makes it easier to slice. Grease a 9-inch ceramic pie plate or tart dish.

Put the tomatoes and remaining gratin ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir to combine. Scoop the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly to the edges. Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

While the tomatoes bake, make the topping by putting the crumbs, Parmesan, Everything Rainbow, and sea salt into a small mixing bowl; stir to combine. Drizzle on the olive oil and stir again until it coats the crumbs and there are no lumps.

Take the goat cheese out of the freezer. Unwrap and cut it crosswise into ½-inch thick slices. (You should net 8–9 slices. Wiping the knife blade between cuts makes the slicing neater and easier.) Drop one slice of cheese into the bowl of seasoned crumbs and coat all sides with crumbs using your fingers to gently press the crumbs onto the cheese. Set the coated cheese on a plate, then repeat with the remaining slices.

Remove the baking dish from the oven. Give the tomatoes a stir, then sprinkle the remaining crumbs over them. Arrange the crumb-coated goat cheese slices on top in a circle. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 15 more minutes. The crumbs should be golden brown and crunchy. (If you’d like an even toastier finish, give the dish an additional minute or two under the broiler.) Let the gratin rest for 4–5 minutes before serving.