Pine Nut Stuffed Basil Tomatoes Food

SUN-DRIED TOMATO, PINE NUTS AND BASIL STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Cut a deep horizontal pocket in the side of each chicken breast. Make the pocket as large as you can without piercing the top or bottom of the breast. Rub pepper & salt over the breasts. Place 2 slices of tomato 1 teaspoon pine nuts and about 4 basil leaves in the pocket of each chicken breast. Secure the pocket with toothpicks threading along the side to close. Heat the oil in a heavy oven-proof skillet until it begins to smoke. Cook each side of the chicken until golden brown.
• Add the vinegar and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and gently simmer the chicken for 2 or 3 minutes per side until cooked through.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and keep in a warm oven or under a foil tent. Continue to cook the sauce until it is reduced to a thick syrup.
• Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce over each chicken breast. Garnish with fresh basil.

PINE NUT STUFFED BASIL TOMATOES

Steps:

• Prepare rice; set aside.
• Toast pine nuts, dry, in a pan over medium heat, shaking the pan gently as they brown. The natural oil content in the nuts will make toasting a quick process (about 3 minutes).
• Alternatively, you can toast them on a baking sheet in a pre-heated 325 degree oven until just golden (about 2-3 minutes).
• NOTE: Pine nuts can burn very easily, with about 15 seconds between "perfect" and "burned" so the best way to toast is on the stove, keeping your eyes on them the whole time.
• Toss the pine nuts, basil, and olive oil with the brown rice. Add salt and pepper to the mixture (to taste).
• Cut off and discard the tops of the tomatoes.
• Remove the tomato pulp and seeds.
• Fill each tomato with the rice mixture.
• Serve warm or chilled (I like them warm!).

COUSCOUS STUFFED ROMA TOMATOES WITH PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Mix together cooked Couscous, pine nuts, basil, bell pepper, scallion, and Parm cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
• Fill each Plum tomato with the mixture. Sprinkle Panko Crumbs and Mozzarrella cheese on top.
• Bake in a casserole Dish at 375 Degrees for about 15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and cheese is melted.
• Enjoy as a side dish or a yummy snack!

TOMATOES STUFFED WITH BULGUR AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Cut off and discard top third of tomatoes and scoop out insides (leave shells intact for stuffing), transferring to a sieve set over a bowl to drain excess liquid. Coarsely chop tomato from sieve and reserve for making braised eggplant .
• Sprinkle insides of tomato shells with 1/2 teaspoon salt and drain upside down on a rack set in a pan while preparing filling.
• Simmer lentils in 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan until just tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Drain in a sieve, then rinse under cold water and drain well.
• Heat oil in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat until hot, then cook pine nuts, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Cook onion in oil remaining in pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add bulgur, chard, remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper and cook, stirring, until greens are wilted, about 2 minutes. Add remaining cup water, then remove from heat and let stand, covered, until bulgur is tender, about 30 minutes.
• Stir in pine nuts, currants, parsley, dill, lemon juice, lentils, and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon filling into tomato shells.

FRESH TOMATO AND BASIL PASTA WITH TOASTED PINE NUTS

Steps:

• In large pot boil pasta until al dente. Drain.
• In heavy skillet, over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic; saute until tender. Add tomatoes and thyme; cook stirring frequently, until tomatoes are hot, yet still retain their shape and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
• Remove and discard fresh thyme sprig, if used. Add basil and drained pasta; toss until heated.
• Transfer to serving bowl; season to taste with salt and pepper and sprinkle evenly with pine nuts.

SAUTEED CHERRY TOMATOES WITH PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.
• Add garlic and tomatoes and saute until tomatoes are just heated through, stirring occasionally about 5 minutes.
• Add toasted pine nuts, basil and vinegars, stir 1 minute.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer tomato mixture to shallow platter.
• Garnish with fresh basil sprig and serve.