Tomatoes Stuffed With Ricotta Cheese Food

RICOTTA STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Add the Ritz crackers to a food processor and process until they are crumbled. Add the cracker crumbs to a flat dish and set aside while you prepare the tomatoes.
• Halve the tomatoes and using a spoon, remove the seeds and most of the flesh.
• Sprinkle the inside of the tomatoes with a little salt and lay them upside down on a paper towel to get rid of any excess water.
• Add the ricotta cheese to a medium-sized bowl. Then add the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
• Spoon a little of the ricotta cheese mixture into each tomato half.
• Dip each tomato half into the crushed cracker crumbs.
• Place the tomato halves in a baking dish that's been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
• Drizzle the olive oil on top of the tomatoes.
• Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese is heated through and slightly bubbling.

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES WITH HERBED RICOTTA

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside for up to 30 minutes.
• With a small serrated knife, cut the larger tomatoes in wedges through the stem and the smaller tomatoes in half through the stem. Place them in a medium bowl with the garlic, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
• When ready to serve, add the basil to the tomatoes and combine. Pile the ricotta in a large (12-inch) round shallow bowl or oval platter. Using a slotted spoon, place the tomatoes around the ricotta, discarding any liquid. Drizzle the tomatoes and ricotta with olive oil, sprinkle with the reserved basil and fleur de sel, and serve at room temperature.
• Set a fine-mesh sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 pieces of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with a double layer of the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a medium stainless-steel or enameled pot, such as Le Creuset, and stir in the salt. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and pour in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for one minute, until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
• Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 minutes (for soft ricotta) to 25 minutes (for firmer ricotta), occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining liquid. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep, refrigerated, for 4 to 5 days.

CHEESE-STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Scoop out center of each tomato half, leaving a 1/2 inch thick shell.
• Chop scooped out tomato pulp; set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine breadcrumbs, butter, basil, salt and pepper.
• Stir in cheese and chopped tomato pulp.
• Fill tomato shells with breadcrumb mixture.
• Wrap each stuffed half in foil.
• Place on grill, stuffed side up.
• Cook 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese melts.
• Remove foil; sprinkle with parsley.
• Serve hot and enjoy.

RICOTTA AND CHIVE STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut tops of tomatoes and, using small paring knife, remove seeds. In small bowl, combine ricotta, chives, salt & pepper. Using small spoon, fill each tomato with ricotta mixture. Place stuffed tomatoes on baking sheet & bake for 8 minutes or until warmed through. Serve warm.

THREE CHEESE STUFFED JUMBO PASTA SHELLS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients, except pasta and 1/4 c Parmesan cheese in large mixing bowl.
• Mix well and fill each cooked pasta shell.
• Place in ungreased 11 by 17 pan.
• Cover w/ marinara sauce and then sprinkle with remaining Parmesan, cover w/foil, and bake in 350 oven for 30 minutes.
• Time does not include time to make marinara, but I cook mine as I make the shells so it really doesn't affect the time.
• Servings are a guess.

STUFFED TOMATOES WITH GRITS AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• In a small pot combine dry grits, 1 1/2 cups water, and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer until grits are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool.
• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl, then stir in the cooled grits, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Asiago cheese. Stir in the garlic powder, parsley, crushed red pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix well.
• Slice the top off of each tomato. Use a spoon to hollow out the tomatoes, leaving the outer shells (approximately 1/4 inch thick) intact. Fill each with the grits mixture. Arrange stuffed tomatoes on prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven until light golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving.