Yesterday is known, in some circles, as Hobbit Day. Why? Because it is Bilbo and Frodo Baggins shared birthday. Yeah, we celebrate fictional characters birthdays. So, how did we celebrate? In the Lundin house, celebration means food.

I went looking for an appropriately hobbit-like dish, and found a recipe for Tomato, Bacon and Onion Pie. A savory pie? What could be more hobbit-like!

Tomato, Bacon & Onion Pie

The original recipe is from Rod Dreher (whose current blog you should be reading if you love food, culture and Jesus), and I made some modifications to suit our palates better. That means I added goat cheese and took Rod’s advice on the herbs.

TOMATO, BACON AND ONION PIE
1 pre-baked pie crust (cooled)
2 fresh sliced tomatoes (medium size)
1/2-1 fresh sliced onion
1 1/2 cups monterey  jack cheese
crumbled goat cheese to taste
1 pkg. cooked bacon, crumbled (you can do with less, if you want. This will put a lot of bacon on top)
salt, pepper, rosemary & thyme to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Slice tomatoes, arrange in layer on pie crust, then season with salt, pepper, rosemary & thyme
3. Top with layer of thin-sliced onions
4. Grate a thin layer of monterey jack over the onions
5. Repeat
6. Grate a good layer of monterey jack on top
7. Sprinkle on goat cheese to taste
8. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon
9. Bake for 25 minutes. Let cool thoroughly before serving

If you are skeptical, don’t be. It’s fantastic. Try it and I bet you will love it.