Heirloom tomato tart and random thoughts

Today's recipe is more a suggestion.  It is an heirloom tomato tart we had a few weeks back when we could go to a farmers market without worrying about infection or how many people per square metre, when we could get excited over pretty heirloom tomatoes without feeling trivial in the face of all the suffering and upheaval, when we could cook as we liked because rows of empty shelves in supermarkets were only something we had seen in the movies!

At least the supermarket gaps are less than they were.  This tart seems an excellent idea for people like me who are working from home and child minding and feeling time poor.  It was a very simple tart with lots of great flavour from the heirloom tomatoes from the farmers market.

I really wanted to write a post without dwelling on CoVid19 but as we remarked in a zoom video conference the other day, every conversation seems to come back to it.  Everything is changing so quickly that it is hard to keep up.  One minute we are going to the office each day.  The next we are working from home.  The state government announces schools to be closed and then it becomes extended holidays with no clarity about the end of the holidays.  The federal government refuses to increase unemployment benefits for years and then suddenly doubles them when "decent" people start to sign on.  We are told that couples living in separate households cannot visit each other and within 12 hours that has been revised, leaving me wondering what government minister or official needed to visit their partner! I could go on and on but instead will share some random moments.

Random CoVid19 thoughts:

I expect there to be lots of movies about CoVid19 in the future.  Every now and again I hear a news item and I think there is a movie plot.  Eg Australia is now isolating new arrivals from overseas in hotels.  So I imagine a movie where the hero has some desperate need to escape from a hotel and keep isolated so he can ... (haven't finished that plot).

So many new terms: social isolation or "iso", working from home, zoom bombing, and my favourite, "covidiot".  Today I heard a reporter mention the CoVid19 Generation.  I am not sure who this refers to but I wonder if we we will talk about life before CoVid19 and life after CoVid19.

On the weekend I ordered board games online, deciding it was not a good enough reason to go out to the shops.  Then I hear our prime minister tell us to only go to the shops for essentials and the example he gave was that his wife bought some jigsaws for the kids at the shops.  Really!  Essentials?  Sigh!

I have had a lot of Zoom video conferences.  Even a family Zoom with everyone in 4 different places including my brother playing us songs from a deserted beach.  When we had a 2 1/2 hour zoom chat with drinks to celebrate end of a project, Sylvia brought me a fancy soda and lime with ice, mint and lemon slices.  When she offered me a drink the next day I said ok and was made a salty version.  Kids love April Fools Day! 

The funniest comment I have heard on the radio lately is a an old guy ringing up to say he was "in a strange situation".  As if the rest of us are going on as normal!!!!

And lastly there is all the effects on climate change and lifestyle that one friend says seems like there might be a god somewhere trying to slow us down.  While this is unlikely, if it is the case then I think that god was kind enough to make sure we developed a digital world and so much digital content that we could hide away at home long term with plenty of social contact and entertainment! 

More savoury tarts on Green Gourmet Giraffe:
Brie, tomato and zucchini tart
Broccolini and brie tart
Cauliflower and onion tart
Red onion, feta and olive tart 
Vegetable ribbon tart (v)

Heirloom tomato tart

2 sheets of puff pastry
Milk or eggwash
Cream cheese
Heirloom tomatoes, sliced
Basil

Preheat oven to Lay one sheet of puff pastry on a baking paper lined baking tray.  Cut the other sheet into 8 strips.  Place four strips on each side of the square of puff pastry and repeat with the remaining strips.  Brush milk or eggwash onto each strip before laying it down.  Brush milk over the top strips.  Prick the base with a fork all over.  Bake at 200 C for 20 minutes until light golden brown.

Allow pastry to cool slightly.  Spread with cream cheese to the raised edges and then arrange tomato slices and basil leaves on the cream cheese. 

We ate it soon after we made it and I am not sure how long it would last but it was delicious fresh!

On the Stereo:
Neil Diamond: The Greatest Hits 1966-1992