Slow-Roasted Balsamic Tomatoes with Baby Leeks and Basil

• 12 plum tomatoes
• 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely sliced
• 1 handful of fresh basil, leaves picked and torn up
• 12 fresh bay leaves
• 12 baby leeks, trimmed and washed
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 200ml/7fl oz cheap balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/gas
2. Score the tops of the tomatoes with a cross.
3. Take an earthenware dish that the tomatoes will fit snugly into, and sprinkle the garlic and basil all over the bottom of it.
4. Stand the tomatoes next to each other in the tray, on top of the garlic and basil, then push the bay leaves well into the scores in the tomatoes and season well.
5. Lay the leeks on a board and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
6. Using a rolling pin, press down on top of the leeks to really squeeze the seasoning into them.
7. This will also loosen their texture.
8. Weave the leeks in and around the tomatoes.
9. Pour over the balsamic vinegar, drizzle over the olive oil, and bake in the preheated oven for an hour.
10. Before serving, remove the bay leaves.

tomatoes, garlic, handful of fresh basil, bay leaves, baby leeks, salt, cheap balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/slow-roasted-balsamic-tomatoes-with-baby-leeks-and-basil (may not work)