Roasted Tomato Mozzarella Rocket Food

OVEN ROASTED TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA FRITTATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking pan with foil.
• Toss the tomatoes with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, the dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Arrange the tomatoes on the prepared baking pan cut-side up and roast until they are slightly shrunken and caramelized, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly, then remove the skins and cut each tomato in half lengthwise.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
• Whisk the eggs, half-and-half and 1 teaspoon salt together in a bowl. Heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Grate the garlic over the oil and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the eggs and distribute the tomatoes and the mozzarella evenly. Cook on the stove until the bottom and edges are just starting to set, about 2 minutes.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until just set in the center, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Let stand at least 5 minutes. The frittata can be served warm or at room temperature.

ROASTED TOMATO, ARUGULA AND MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Add the tomatoes to a shallow 2-quart casserole dish in a single layer.
• Toss the tomatoes with the oil, and salt and pepper, to taste. Make sure the tomatoes are cut side up after tossing. Roast until the tomatoes are extremely tender, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove them from the oven and keep warm.
• In a large salad bowl, toss the arugula, mozzarella balls, basil and the warm tomatoes along with any juices from the dish. Drizzle with some good balsamic and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

BAKED TOMATO & MOZZARELLA ORZO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Tip the orzo into a medium casserole dish, then stir in the oil, red peppers, olives, chilli flakes and dried oregano. Tip in the chopped tomatoes, then refill the can halfway with water and pour that in too. Give everything a good mix, season, then cover and bake for 20 mins until the pasta is almost cooked. Take it out of the oven and give the orzo a stir. Remove the foil and return to the oven for a further 5 mins.
• Heat the grill to high. Take the orzo out of the oven and tear the mozzarella over the top, then grill until melted and bubbling. Serve with salad on the side, if you like.

BAKED MOZZARELLA TOMATOES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven (or toaster oven) to 400 degrees F.
• 2. Cut tomatoes into thick slices, and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet.
• 4. Salt and pepper lightly, add basil (as much or little as you like) and cook tomatoes for 10 minutes, or until tender but not mushy.
• 5. Turn off oven. Top tomatoes with cheese and drizzle with olive oil. Allow to sit in hot oven just long enough for the cheese to melt.

TOMATO & MOZZARELLA TART WITH ROAST PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Put a baking sheet in the oven and preheat to fan 200C/conventional 220C/gas 7. (Heating the sheet helps cook the pastry base.) Use the pastry to line a shallow rectangular tin about 20 x 30cm. Prick the base lightly with a fork.
• Scatter the Parmesan over the pastry base. Drain the peppers and pat dry on paper towels. (If the peppers are in oil, don't worry about this part.) Lay the whole peppers widthways across the pastry base. If the peppers aren't in oil, brush a little over them and the pastry, then season. Bake for about 15 minutes until the pastry is puffy and golden.
• Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella. Lay alternating, slightly overlapping lines of tomato and mozzarella over the peppers. Drizzle with oil, scatter with basil leaves and an extra grinding of black pepper, then serve while the pastry is still warm.