Pesto Stuffed Tomatoes
- 4 medium to large tomatoes
- 1/2 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 cup hot water
- 3 1/2 tablespoons basil pesto
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon very finely grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese, plus
- 1/8 cup grated mozzarella cheese, for topping
- Preheat the oven to 300u0b0F or 150u0b0C (the lower temperature helps to stop the tomatoes from splitting).
- Cook the rice in the hot water, simmering over a low heat in a covered pan for around 20 minutes, until all the water has been absorbed.
- Meanwhile, slice the tops off the tomatoes, just enough to reveal the seeds. Also cut a fine slice from the bottom of each tomato, so they can stand up straight but not enough to leave a hole.
- Scoop the core and seeds out of each tomato to leave a shell, being careful to leave the base of the tomato intact.
- When the rice is fully cooked, remove from the heat.
- Add the pesto sauce, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup of the grated mozzarella cheese. Stir to mix well.
- Spoon the mixture carefully into each tomato shell, until level with the top of the tomato, pressing down with the spoon so the filling is firmly packed in.
- Place the other 1/8 cup of grated mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the filled tomatoes.
- Bake on a baking tray lined with foil for around 20 minutes, until the tomatoes are softened and the mozzarella is just turning golden.
- Enjoy!
tomatoes, long grain white rice, water, basil pesto, nuts, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, mozzarella cheese
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/pesto-stuffed-tomatoes-375014 (may not work)