Cherry Tomatoes Stuffed With Pesto Food

CHERRY TOMATOES STUFFED WITH PESTO

Steps:

• To make the pesto, turn on a food processor fitted with the steel blade, and drop in the garlic. When it is chopped and adhering to the sides of the bowl, stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Add the basil, pumpkin seeds or pine nuts, salt, pepper and olive oil to the food processor, and process until smooth and creamy. Add the Parmesan, and pulse until well combined. You can also use a mortar and pestle. Add the basil leaves gradually, and mash with the pestle. Add the pumpkin seeds or pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper. Mash to a paste with the basil. Work in the olive oil and the Parmesan.
• Using a paring knife, cut thin slices from the tops of the cherry tomatoes. Use a grapefruit spoon or small spoon to scoop the seeds and flesh from the center of each tomato. Lightly salt the hollowed out tomatoes if desired, and place them, cut side down, on a rack to drain for 15 minutes. Fill with the pesto, arrange on a platter and serve. Refrigerate or freeze any excess pesto.

STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Slice off the top 1/4 inch of each tomato, then scoop out and discard some of the core using a melon baller or small spoon. Cut a thin sliver off the bottom of the tomatoes so they will sit flat. Put the tomatoes on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with the olive oil, red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, then stand them up and press a cube of feta about halfway inside each one. Broil until the cheese is browned and slightly soft, about 2 minutes.
• Mix the olive paste with 1 tablespoon water and dot all over a serving plate. Arrange the broiled tomatoes on the plate; drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Scatter the mint on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.

TOMATOES ROASTED WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Core the tomatoes and then slice them across (not through the stem) in 1/2 inch-thick slices. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a sheet pan. Drizzle the tomatoes with the olive oil and sprinkle with the oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper.
• Bake the tomatoes for 10 minutes. Remove them from the oven, spread each slice with Pesto, and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Return the tomatoes to the oven and continue baking for 7 to 10 minutes, until the Parmesan is melted and begins to brown. Using a flat metal spatula, put the tomatoes on a serving platter, sprinkle with extra salt, and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.
• Place the walnuts, pine nuts, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process for 30 seconds. Add the basil, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Use immediately or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.

PESTO-STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut 1/4-inch slice from stem end of each tomato; scoop out pulp. Discard seeds; chop pulp. Mix pulp, 2 tablespoons cheese, the nuts, basil, oil, garlic salt and pepper. Gently stir in bread crumbs. Fill tomatoes with mixture.
• Place tomatoes in 4 small custard cups or arrange in circle in shallow round microwavable dish. Cover loosely with waxed paper.
• Microwave on High 3 to 4 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cheese. Cover and let stand about 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

PESTO CHICKEN STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Wash and core tomato. I got a tomatoes corer from Bed, Bath and Beyond for $4. Once they are cored place them upside down on a paper towel to get rid of the extra water.
• In bowl mix chicken, celery and green olives (cheese if you want it). Mix in pesto a bit at a time, taste it once you have mixed in a couple tablespoons. Pesto can overpower the taste if you aren't careful. You may need more or less.
• If you need a bit more moisture and don't want to use more Pesto add a bit of olive oil.
• Pepper to taste. If it needs a more salty taste use either some of the green olive juice or salt (coarse salt is better).
• Use either a small spoon or a Ziploc bag that the tip was cut from and fill the tomatoes.
• If you want to get all pretty and fancy you can top it w/cheese or a green olive slice or basil leaf. You can also top w/Mozzarella Cheese and put under the broiler until cheese is melted.

CUCUMBER-STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato. Scoop out and discard pulp; invert tomatoes onto paper towels to drain. , In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth; stir in the cucumber, onion and dill. Spoon into tomatoes. Refrigerate until serving.

CHERRY TOMATOES FILLED WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cheese, basil, salt and pepper. Mix with a fork until well blended.
• Cut the top off each cherry tomato. Using a small spoon, carefully scoop out the pulp to make a hollow, yet sturdy, shell. Drain off any juice that may be in the tomato shells.
• Using a small spoon, scoop about 1 teaspoon of the cheese mixture and carefully stuff into a tomato shell. Repeat until tomatoes or cheese mixture is used up. Arrange the filled tomatoes on a platter to serve.