Stuffed Tomatoes Vegetarian Food

VEGGIE-STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato. Leaving a 1/2-in. shell, scoop out and reserve pulp. Invert tomatoes onto paper towels to drain., Meanwhile, in a food processor, cover and process the carrot, celery, onion, garlic and reserved pulp until finely chopped. In large skillet, saute vegetable mixture and oregano in oil until tender. Add wine or broth; simmer, uncovered, until liquid is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cool slightly. Stir in the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and basil., Stuff tomatoes; replace tops. Place in a shallow baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350° until heated through, 15-20 minutes.

RISOTTO-STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Slice the tops off the tomatoes and set aside. Scoop out the seeds and pulp from the tomatoes with a teaspoon, but be careful not to cut through to the base. Chop the pulp and keep the seeds, but discard the hard, central cores.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan and tip in the rice. Fry gently over a low heat for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to stop the rice from browning, then add the spring onions, courgette and mushrooms and fry gently for 2 more minutes.
• Preheat the oven to fan 170C/conventional 190C/gas 5. Pour in the stock then stir in the dried herbs, tomato pulp and seeds - the seeds will add fibre, and won't be noticeable in the finished dish. Cook gently for about 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently until the rice is tender and the stock has been absorbed - add extra stock or water if necessary. Turn off the heat, tear the basil leaves into the pan and scatter with Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper and stir well.
• Put the tomatoes in an ovenproof dish and fill each one generously with the risotto. Replace tomato tops and bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes until the tomatoes are tender. Cool for 5 minutes, then serve with a few rocket leaves on top.

VEGETARIAN BAKED STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut the tomatoes in half, remove the seeds with your fingers, sprinkle with a little salt, and place upside down in a colander for 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Mix the garlic and parsley together in a bowl, add the bread crumbs and Parmesan, and, using a fork, work the oil in little by little. Season with salt and pepper.
• Using a teaspoon, push the filling mixture into the tomato halves. Press it down with your fingers so that it sticks to the inside of the tomatoes (it will swell slightly in the oven and could overflow).
• Place the filled tomatoes in a greased ovenproof dish and back until tender, about 35 minutes.
• Serve hot or at room temperature.

ROASTED PEPPER & GOAT'S CHEESE STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Cut the tops off the tomatoes and discard. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Place the tomatoes on a lightly oiled, shallow baking dish.
• Brown all the pine nuts in a dry frying pan or under the grill until golden. Wilt the spinach in a hot pan for a min. Drain thoroughly in a sieve, squeezing out the excess liquid, then roughly chop.
• Combine the spinach, peppers, 25g/1oz toasted nuts and 125g/41⁄2oz crumbled cheese in a bowl, then season to taste. Divide the mixture between the tomato shells. Top each tomato with more crumbled goat's cheese and the rest of the pine nuts, then bake for 20 mins until the filling is hot and the tomato skins are beginning to wrinkle and split. Serve warm.

STUFFED TOMATOES (VEGETARIAN)

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease a shallow baking dish.
• Cut off stem ends of tomatoes and reserve.
• Scoop out pulp, leaving flesh on walls and bottom; reserve pulp.
• For stuffing: Combine onion, avocado, garlic cheese, salt and pepper.
• Arrange tomato shells side by side in a casserole dish.
• Fill with stuffing.
• Replace stem ends.
• Puree reserved pulp.
• Stir in olive oil, lemon juice, oregano and water: pour over tomatoes.
• Bake for 50 minutes or until done.
• Serve tomatoes with their sauce.

GREEK STUFFED BELL PEPPERS AND TOMATOES (VEGETARIAN)

Steps:

• Bring 4 cups of water slowly to a boil.
• While the water is boiling mix the Greek spices (if not using the McCormick's then use the mint, oregano, and parsley), and black pepper.
• Mix in the uncooked rice.
• Add the diced onions.
• Once the water is boiling, and the dry ingredients have been mixed, add the mixture to the water and cook according to the package directions for the rice.
• While the rice is cooking cut the tops off of the peppers/tomatoes, just enough to get a spoon inside and clean out the seeds.
• When the rice has finished cooking remove it from the stove and mix in the petite diced tomatoes.
• Spoon the mixture into the peppers/tomatoes.
• Place in a baking dish and bake at 350 for 45 minutes (or until they are tender).

STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• A big platter of these tomatoes goes well with grilled meat or fish, or serve them as a starter with cured meats and crusty bread.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Toast the bread, then remove the crusts and break it up into the food processor to make crumbs. Add the thyme, chives or parsley, oil and garlic, then pulse briefly to mix.
• Halve the tomatoes and put in one layer in a shallow ovenproof dish. Spread each cut side with a little mustard, then sprinkle a little of the crumb mix on the top. Bake for 15-20 mins until the topping is crunchy and lightly browned.