French Style stuffed Tomatoes
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Description:
Tomato farcies, also known as stuffed tomatoes, are a classic French dish made by filling ripe tomatoes with a flavorful stuffing mixture and then baking them until tender. Here's a simple recipe for making tomato farcies:
Ingredients:
- 4 large ripe tomatoes
- 1 cup ground meat (such as beef or pork)
- 1/2 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 egg, beaten
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Bread crumbs (for topping)
- Butter (for greasing the baking dish)
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cut the tops off the tomatoes and scoop out the insides, being careful not to puncture the outer skin. You can use a spoon to help with this process. Save the tomato pulp and chop it finely for later use.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until they become translucent.
- Add the ground meat to the skillet and cook until it's browned and fully cooked. Break up the meat as it cooks into smaller pieces.
- Stir in the chopped tomato pulp and cook for a few minutes until it softens and any excess liquid evaporates.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the cooked rice, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and beaten egg. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste. The mixture should be well combined and have a cohesive texture.
- Stuff the hollowed-out tomatoes with the meat and rice mixture, pressing down gently to pack it in.
- Sprinkle a thin layer of bread crumbs over the tops of the stuffed tomatoes. This adds a crispy texture and helps the stuffing hold together.
- Grease a baking dish with butter and place the stuffed tomatoes in the dish.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the tomatoes are tender and the tops are nicely browned.
- Serve the tomato farcies hot as a delicious side dish or light main course.