Rustic & Flavorful: Your Guide to Making the Best Vegan Tomato Ricotta Galette

Prepare to delight your senses with this exquisite Vegan Tomato Ricotta Galette – a truly delicious free-form tart that effortlessly combines simplicity with incredible flavor. Featuring a beautifully crisp cornmeal pastry base, vibrant and tangy tomatoes, a rich and creamy homemade almond “ricotta” cheese, aromatic pesto, and a scattering of fresh herbs, this recipe promises a culinary experience that’s both satisfying and impressively elegant.

Whether you’re hosting a sophisticated celebration, contributing to a vibrant buffet spread, or simply seeking a delightful centerpiece for a light lunch, this galette is perfectly suited for any occasion. Its rustic charm and irresistible taste make it a versatile dish that guests and family alike will adore. It’s an ideal recipe to showcase the fresh flavors of spring and summer, adding a touch of homemade goodness to your table.

Embrace the Rustic Charm of a Galette

This vegan tomato ricotta galette is a truly delightful recipe, perfect for capturing the essence of spring and summer. Imagine serving it as a stunning centerpiece at an Easter buffet or a garden party, or simply enjoying it with a crisp green salad for a refreshing and light lunch. Its versatility makes it a fantastic addition to any seasonal menu.

Galettes, often referred to as free-form pies or crostata, are renowned for being among the easiest and most forgiving bakes you can attempt. Their inherent nature is to be rustic and charmingly imperfect, which means there’s absolutely no pressure to achieve a perfectly neat or pretty appearance. In fact, the beauty of a galette lies precisely in its unpretentious, handcrafted look. When it comes to galettes, the emphasis is entirely on the incredible flavor, which this recipe delivers in abundance.

Every bite of this galette is bursting with a symphony of tastes and textures! A simple yet robust cornmeal pastry forms the foundation, providing a satisfying crunch. This is then generously topped with our luscious, tangy homemade almond “ricotta-style” cheese, a swirl of vibrant pesto, juicy fresh tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and a drizzle of rich olive oil. The combination is utterly heavenly, promising a truly memorable meal that feels both wholesome and indulgent.

Essential Ingredients for Your Vegan Tomato Ricotta Galette

Crafting this incredible galette begins with selecting quality ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:

• Tomatoes: The star of the show! For optimal visual appeal and varied texture, I recommend using a combination. Sliced vine tomatoes provide a sturdy base, while smaller, halved cherry tomatoes are perfect for filling in gaps and adding pops of color and sweetness. The beautiful orange tomatoes seen in the photos are honeydrop varieties, known for their delightful flavor. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different heirloom tomatoes for an even more stunning presentation and diverse taste profile. Fresh, ripe tomatoes are key to the galette’s vibrant taste.
• Pesto: A spoonful of good quality pesto adds a burst of herbaceous flavor and complements the tanginess of the tomatoes and richness of the almond cheese beautifully. While a high-quality shop-bought vegan pesto works wonderfully for convenience, if you have the time, a homemade pesto will elevate the flavors even further. Consider basil pesto for a classic taste, or rocket (arugula) pesto for a peppery kick.
• Flaked Almonds: These form the creamy base of our homemade ricotta-style cheese. Using flaked (skinless) almonds is a clever shortcut. They require less soaking time compared to whole almonds, and your blender or food processor will have a much easier time achieving that desired smooth, creamy consistency, ensuring your vegan ricotta is perfectly velvety.
• Nutritional Yeast, Garlic, Lemon Juice, and Salt: These are the magic ingredients that transform the humble almonds into a savory, “cheesy” delight. Nutritional yeast provides that distinct umami, cheesy flavor without any dairy. Garlic adds a foundational aromatic depth. Freshly squeezed lemon juice contributes essential tanginess, mimicking the slight acidity found in traditional ricotta, and also brightens the overall flavor profile. Finally, salt balances all the flavors, enhancing the savory notes.
• Herbs: While optional, a generous scattering of fresh or dried herbs before baking truly elevates the galette’s aroma and taste. I particularly enjoy using thyme and oregano for their earthy, Mediterranean notes, but feel free to choose your favorites. Rosemary, basil, or a mixed Italian herb blend would also be excellent choices, adding a personalized touch to your creation.
• Plain Flour (All-Purpose Flour): This is the ideal flour for creating the tender yet structured pastry crust. Its balanced protein content helps achieve the perfect texture. Please note, this recipe has not been specifically tested with gluten-free flour alternatives, so results may vary if substituting.
• Cornmeal: Incorporating fine cornmeal into the pastry is a secret weapon for achieving a wonderfully rustic, slightly crumbly, and distinctively crisp texture. It adds a lovely golden hue and a subtle, satisfying bite that complements the creamy filling. If cornmeal isn’t available, an equal amount of fine semolina can be used as an excellent substitute, offering similar textural benefits.
• Vegan Butter: The success of your pastry relies heavily on the type of vegan butter you use. It is absolutely crucial to use a block vegan butter or margarine, not the spreadable kind that comes in a tub. Spreadable margarines often have a much higher water content, which can lead to a tough, unappetizing pastry. Brands like Naturli vegan block or Flora plant butter are highly recommended for their excellent performance in baking, yielding a flaky and tender crust. Ensure it’s very cold and diced for best results.
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil plays a dual role in this recipe. A small amount added to the almond cheese mixture enhances its richness, creaminess, and overall flavor depth. Additionally, drizzling a little over the tomatoes before baking helps them caramelize beautifully in the oven, intensifying their sweetness and creating a more complex flavor profile for the galette.

How To Make Your Delicious Vegan Tomato Ricotta Galette

(For precise measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, please refer to the complete recipe card provided at the very bottom of this page.)

Preparing the Creamy Almond Ricotta

1. Begin by preparing your homemade almond ricotta. Place the flaked almonds in a large heatproof bowl and cover them generously with boiling water. Allow them to soak for a minimum of thirty minutes. This crucial step softens the almonds, making them easier to blend into a smooth, creamy texture.
2. Once thoroughly soaked, drain the almonds very well using a fine-mesh sieve or colander. Ensure as much excess water as possible is removed.
3. Transfer the drained almonds to a high-speed blender or a powerful food processor. Add the fresh lemon juice, a good quality olive oil, a splash of water, salt, a clove of peeled garlic, and the nutritional yeast.

4. Blend the mixture until it becomes incredibly smooth and lusciously creamy. You might need to pause and scrape down the sides of the blender/processor multiple times to ensure all almond pieces are incorporated and no lumps remain. If the mixture is too thick to blend effectively, you can add a tiny drop more water, but be mindful not to add too much, as this can make the cheese too runny. If your blender has a tamper tool, this is the perfect time to use it to achieve maximum creaminess.
5. Once blended to perfection, transfer the almond cheese to a covered container and refrigerate it until you are ready to assemble your galette. Chilling will help it firm up slightly and allow the flavors to meld beautifully.

Crafting the Rustic Cornmeal Pastry

6. To prepare the delicious pastry, combine the plain flour, fine cornmeal, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk them together to ensure they are evenly distributed.
7. Add the cold, diced vegan block butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingertips, gently rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. It’s important to work quickly to prevent the butter from warming too much, which can make the pastry tough. Ensure there are no large lumps of butter left.

8. Gradually stir in just enough ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, to bring the pastry mixture together into a cohesive ball. Avoid overworking the dough; mix it just until it forms a ball. Over-kneading can develop the gluten too much, resulting in a tough crust.
9. Wrap the pastry ball tightly in plastic wrap or beeswax wrap and refrigerate it for 30-45 minutes. Chilling the dough is essential as it allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up again, making the pastry much easier to roll out without cracking.

Assembling Your Galette

10. Once chilled, unwrap the pastry and roll it out on a lightly floured sheet of baking parchment. Aim for a large round shape, approximately 33cm (13 inches) in diameter. The baking parchment will make transferring the galette much easier.
11. Carefully spread the prepared almond cheese evenly over the rolled-out pastry, making sure to leave a generous border of about 5-7cm (2-3 inches) around the edges. This border will form the beautiful rustic crust.

12. Dot spoonfuls of vegan pesto over the almond cheese, distributing it evenly for flavor in every bite. Then, artfully arrange your sliced and halved tomatoes on top of the pesto and cheese layer.

13. Now for the signature galette look: gently fold the exposed pastry edges over the filling, working your way around the circle towards the center of the galette. As you fold, pleat the edge slightly to make it fit and create that charming, rustic appearance. Remember, perfection is not the goal here; embrace the free-form nature!
14. Slide the baking parchment with the assembled galette onto a sturdy baking sheet. Drizzle the tomatoes lightly with a little extra virgin olive oil – this will help them caramelize and intensify their flavor during baking. Sprinkle generously with your chosen fresh or dried herbs and a crack of black pepper. For an extra golden crust, brush the folded pastry border with a touch of non-dairy milk.

Baking Your Galette

15. Place the assembled galette in the fridge to chill for a final 30 minutes. This last chill helps the pastry hold its shape and prevents it from spreading too much in the oven. While it’s chilling, preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/400°F/gas mark 6).
16. Bake the galette for approximately 45 minutes, or until the pastry is beautifully crisp and golden brown, and the tomatoes are slightly softened and caramelized.
17. Once baked, carefully remove the galette from the oven and allow it to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring it to a wire rack. This allows the crust to set and firm up further. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Expert Tips for a Perfect Vegan Tomato Ricotta Galette

Achieving a truly outstanding galette is simple with a few helpful pointers:

• Precision in Baking: For all my baking recipes, I wholeheartedly recommend using metric measurements with a digital kitchen scale rather than imprecise cup conversions. Cups are notoriously inaccurate and can lead to inconsistent results, especially in baking where ratios are critical. Using a scale guarantees far better, more consistent outcomes, not to mention it’s often much easier and less messy!
• Prep Ahead for Flavor: To allow the flavors to deepen and the texture to firm up, I highly recommend making the almond “ricotta” cheese a day in advance. This extra time in the fridge truly enhances its creaminess and savory notes. However, if time is of the essence, you can certainly prepare it on the same day.
• Ricotta Alternatives: If you’re short on time or prefer not to make the homemade almond cheese, feel free to substitute with your favorite store-bought vegan cream cheese or a firm vegan ricotta alternative. Ensure it’s a variety that holds its shape well when baked.
• Handle Pastry with Care: The golden rule of pastry making is: do not overwork the dough! Excessive handling can develop the gluten too much, resulting in a tough and chewy crust rather than a tender and flaky one. Mix just enough to bring the ingredients together and form a smooth ball; avoid kneading it like bread dough.
• Advance Pastry Preparation: For ultimate convenience, the pastry dough can be made a couple of days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to use it, remember to let it sit out at room temperature for a while (about 20-30 minutes) before attempting to roll it out. If the pastry is too cold, it will be stiff and prone to cracking, making it difficult to work with.

Storing and Serving Your Galette

This vegan tomato ricotta galette is undoubtedly at its best when enjoyed freshly baked, warm from the oven. The pastry is at its crispest, and the flavors are most vibrant.

However, any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. It makes for a fantastic next-day lunch and can be enjoyed cold straight from the refrigerator, or gently reheated in the oven until warmed through for a crispier texture. I do not recommend freezing the galette, as the texture of both the pastry and the filling can suffer upon thawing.

More Delicious Vegan Lunch Recipes to Explore

If you’re looking for more plant-based inspiration for your midday meal, be sure to check out these other fantastic vegan lunch recipes:

• Smoky Tomato Beans
• Savoury Vegan Scones
• Vegan Thai Red Curry ‘Fish’ Cakes
• Creamy White Bean Soup
• Vegan Butternut Squash and Feta Filo Pie
• Mexican Style Tofu Scramble
• Vegan Spanakopita
• Vegan Corn Fritters
• Vegan Spinach and Mushroom Crepes with Almond Cheese

If you tried this wonderful recipe, I would love to hear about your experience! Please take a moment to rate it, leave a comment below, or tag @domestic_gothess on Instagram and use the hashtag #domesticgothess. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

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