I started by washing the red ladies and then removing the stems. Next I carved out their insides and used a small spoon to scoop out any remaining seeds and juice. I then diced up some fresh mozzarella. I place one small piece in the center of each. Next I created the stuffing by mixing together about 1/2 cup of seasoned bread crumbs, an egg, a tablespoon basil from a tube, and kosher salt and ground pepper until I had a gooey but firm consistency. I then spoon a bit of the stuffing into each tomato. Finally, I topped them with a bit more fresh cheese, salt and pepper.
I then bake these guys uncovered in an oven at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. I watched for the cheese to get browned and bubbly and the tomatoes to wilt a bit. That way I knew they were cooked all the way through. If your cheese isn't browning, remember you can always turn on the broiler for a few minutes at the end.
The result was mouthwatering. The sweet tomatoes contrasted nicely with the mild cheese and strong basil. It was like a warmed inslata caprese in an adorable package. As the tomatoes I got were fairly small, I got to indulge in two. Besides, I am too impatient to wait on leftovers too.
menu ideas:
When I had these for my main course, the carnivore had beer soaked chicken thighs. We each also had fried okra and grilled corn. This means I cooked half (tomatoes and okra), while he cooked the rest (chicken and corn). A perfect meal for sitting on the patio!
Yum! That looks awesome. I make mini blt's this way too.
ReplyDeleteIf only my hubby ate tomatoes, that would be a great idea!
ReplyDeletePerfect! I'm putting this on my menu this week. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAWesome post, thanks a lot for sharing this with us!
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