Baked Tomatoes Stuffed With Orzo Recipes

BAKED TOMATOES STUFFED WITH ORZO

Steps:

• Remove the center pulp and seeds from the tomatoes, hollowing them out well.
• Lightly sprinkle into each tomato a little sugar, salt, pepper and oregano; place four cubes of mozzarella in each tomato.
• Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Melt the butter in a saucepan and saute the onion in it until soft; stir in the orzo, stirring well so each grain of pasta is coated.
• Pour in 2 cups of the chicken broth, stir well, and simmer until it is absorbed, adding more broth gradually until the orzo is about three quarters cooked; firmer than al dente.
• Blend in the Parmesan, stirring it in well. Spoon the orzo mixture into the hollowed tomatoes, filling them.
• Place the filled tomatoes in a casserole or baking dish with 1/2 cup of hot broth in the bottom of the dish.
• Bake, covered, for 15 minutes; remove the cover and cook an additional 10 minutes.

ORZO-AND FETA-STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut 1/4 inch of top off tomatoes.
• Scoop out pulp (reserve for another use), sprinkle insides of tomatoes with salt, turn over and drain for 30 minutes.
• Pat tomatoes dry.
• Mix orzo, cheese,olives,pine nuts,onions,parsley,olive oil,rosemary and garlic.
• Add lemon juice to taste and season with pepper.
• Spoon mixture into tomatoes; cover with plastic and chill until ready to serve.
• (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.).

STUFFED BAKED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/2-in. shell. Invert shells onto paper towels to drain. Mix stuffing ingredients except parsley; spoon stuffing into tomatoes. Sprinkle with parsley. , Place tomatoes in a baking dish; cover with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning of stuffing. Bake until tomatoes are tender and stuffing is hot, about 30 minutes.

BAKED ORZO WITH TOMATOES, ROASTED PEPPERS AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil, and add the orzo. Cook eight minutes, or until it is cooked through but still firm to the bite. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with the diced roasted pepper and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 2-quart baking dish. Heat another tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large, wide skillet. Add the zucchini and cook - stirring and turning over the slices, or tossing them in the pan - until just cooked through and lightly colored, about five minutes. Scrape into the bowl with the orzo.
• Return the pan to the heat, add the final tablespoon of oil and the garlic. Cook just until fragrant, 20 to 30 seconds, and add the tomatoes and salt to taste. Cook, stirring from time to time, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly and smell fragrant. Taste and adjust seasoning. Scrape into the bowl with the orzo, add the Parmesan or goat cheese, and mix everything together. Add freshly ground pepper to taste, and adjust salt. Transfer to the baking dish.
• Bake 30 to 40 minutes, until the top is just beginning to color. Serve hot or warm.