Pasta Stuffed Tomatoes Food

VERONICA'S STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut the top quarter off of each of the tomatoes and reserve for later. Scoop out the pulp from the insides of the tomatoes and add to a blender. Sprinkle the tomato shells with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Season the pulp with the basil, broth, oregano, garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt. Blend on high speed until smooth, then pour the puree into a medium bowl. (You should have about 2 1/4 cups.) Add the tomato puree to the pulp puree and stir to combine. (It should yield 2 3/4 cups. If it doesn't, add more puree.) Stir in the rice.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Spread the potatoes on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toss well to combine. Nestle the tomatoes into the diced potatoes. Fill each tomato almost all the way to the top with the rice filling. Place the tops back on the tomatoes. Pour any remaining filling around the tomatoes and over the potatoes. Drizzle the whole dish with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and bake until the tomatoes are blistered on the outside and the rice is cooked through, 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Serve with a grating of Parmesan, if desired.

PASTINA STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• 1. Cook pastina in boiling water for 5 minutes.
• 2. Drain.
• 3. Cut the tops off of the tomatoes and use a knife to cut around the inside, separating the flesh from the skin. Scoop out the flesh and place the pulp in a strainer. Separate as many of the seeds from the meat as possible and discard. Chop the remaining meat and working as much of the juice out as possible.
• 4. In a small mixing bowl, add all the ingredients except for the topping Panko crumbs; mix well.
• 5. Spoon the mixture into the tomato skins and top with the remaining crumbs.
• 6. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F. for 15 minutes or until tops brown. Be careful overcooking will cause the tomatoes to split. Allow to cool for a few minutes to set before serving.

OLD SCHOOL STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Use a serrated knife to cut the top off of each tomato. Use a grapefruit knife (or a paring knife) to cut out the inside of the tomato. You may need to use your fingers to pull it out after cutting. Use a spoon to remove any leftover seeds or pulp.
• In a blender or food processor, puree the spinach with the sour cream, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Gently spoon the mixture into each tomato and top with the gruyere. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.

PASTA STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Place a pot filled with 3 to 4 quarts water on to boil.
• When water is boiling, add pasta and cook 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, wash and stem tomatoes.
• Cut in half lengthwise.
• Take a small slice off the bottom of each tomato half so that it will sit up straight.
• With a serrated knife, cut around inside edges and remove pulp and seeds, leaving the shell intact.
• Chop pulp in food processor or by hand.
• Measure 1 cup of processed tomato and place in bowl or return to bowl of food processor if using one.
• Add onion, lemon juice and olive oil.
• Mix well.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Drain pasta and mix with sauce.
• Add mint and parmesan.
• Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
• Spoon stuffing into 4 tomato halves and place on serving platter.