Servings: 1 pie, 8 slices

12 ounces sliced bacon 12 ounces sliced bacon
2 ripe medium tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices 2 ripe medium tomatoes, cut into ¼-inch slices
1 (9-inch) prebaked Pie Crust , cooked 1 (9-inch) prebaked Pie Crust , cooked
Salt and pepper Salt and pepper
½ small onion, thinly sliced ½ small onion, thinly sliced
5 ounces Cheddar or pepper jack cheese, grated 5 ounces Cheddar or pepper jack cheese, grated

Cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp and set aside to cool on paper towels or a brown paper bag. (Twelve ounces is probably a little more than you will need, but somehow a few extra pieces always get eaten.) Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Place a layer of tomato slices on the bottom of the crust and season lightly with salt and pepper. Top with a layer of onion slices and cheese. Repeat this process two more times.
Crumble the cooked bacon over the top layer of onion and cheese and bake for about 25 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the tomatoes have released some of their moisture. Place the pie on a wire rack and allow it to cool completely.

Author Intro: When we were kids we used to visit my aunt Cynthia on the Alabama coast (before it was filled with condos and hotels). Aunt Cynthia and her sister Aunt Sally are both amazing cooks, as Grandad was.  Author Intro: When we were kids we used to visit my aunt Cynthia on the Alabama coast (before it was filled with condos and hotels). Aunt Cynthia and her sister Aunt Sally are both amazing cooks, as Grandad was.
Whenever I see Aunt Cynthia these days, we talk about food: how she prepares her collard greens and her fried chicken, and this irresistible savory pie, which happens to be a favorite of Aunt Sally's. At first blush this recipe sounds a little strange, but the combination is amazing, not unlike the layering of tomatoes, onions, bacon, and cheese on a hamburger.  Whenever I see Aunt Cynthia these days, we talk about food: how she prepares her collard greens and her fried chicken, and this irresistible savory pie, which happens to be a favorite of Aunt Sally's. At first blush this recipe sounds a little strange, but the combination is amazing, not unlike the layering of tomatoes, onions, bacon, and cheese on a hamburger.
When cutting pies like this that have a rather loose filling, use a long, sharp knife and slice in long, even strokes.  When cutting pies like this that have a rather loose filling, use a long, sharp knife and slice in long, even strokes.
Tomato and Bacon Pie is great for a potluck dinner, or for a side dish for roast meat dinners. The success of this pie will be directly related to the quality of the tomatoes that you use, so be sure to find the ripest ones you can find. (Heirloom varieties from the farmers' market would be an excellent choice.)  Tomato and Bacon Pie is great for a potluck dinner, or for a side dish for roast meat dinners. The success of this pie will be directly related to the quality of the tomatoes that you use, so be sure to find the ripest ones you can find. (Heirloom varieties from the farmers' market would be an excellent choice.)