serves 6 ingredients

900g/2lb tomatoes 50g/2oz butter, softened

3 garlic cloves, chopped 1 teaspoon sugar

4 teaspoons chopped fresh basil 300ml/10fl oz double cream 50g/2oz dried breadcrumbs 25g/1oz Parmesan cheese,

freshly grated salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4.

• Put the tomatoes in a bowl of just-boiled water, and leave for 30 seconds. Peel off the skin and thinly slice the flesh.

• Brush the inside of an ovenproof dish liberally with some of the butter.

• Arrange a layer of tomato slices in the bottom of the dish, then sprinkle with a little of the garlic, sugar and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over a thin layer of cream. Repeat these layers until all the ingredients have been used.

• Mix the breadcrumbs and Parmesan together, then sprinkle over the top of the tomatoes and cream. Dot with the remaining butter.

• Bake in the oven for 20–30 minutes until the topping is golden brown. Serve hot.