Beths Tomates Farcies Recipes

CLASSIC TOMATES FARCIES (BAKED GROUND MEAT-STUFFED TOMATOES)

Steps:

• Step 1 - Prepare the tomatoes. Cut the hats (tops) from the tomatoes and carve the insides (flesh) out with a spoon. Keep the flesh with the juice in a separate bowl, and keep the hats too. Sprinkle the insides of the tomatoes with a pinch of salt, and place the tomatoes upside down on a linen or paper towel to absorb the juice. Set aside for at least one hour.
• Step 2 - In a bowl, pour the milk over the bread cubes; set aside to soak.
• Step 3 - Chop up the tomato flesh coarsely. Heat 1 tablespoon EVOO in a frying pan over medium heat. Saute the garlic, onion, and tomato flesh. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is moisture-free and reduced to a paste-like consistency.
• Pre-heat your oven to 350F (180C) with a rack in the middle.
• Step 4 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, chopped basil, Herbs de Provence, grated parmesan, milk-soaked bread, onion and tomato flesh mixture and egg. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix until just combined.
• Step 5- Spoon the stuffing into the hollowed tomatoes, making sure they are well packed. Place the hats back on top and place the tomatoes standing upright into a baking dish. Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Allow the dish to rest 30 extra minutes in the oven, with the oven turned off, before serving.

STUFFED TOMATOES (TOMATES FARCIES)

Steps:

• Soak the salt pork overnight in cold water before cooking.
• To cook, rinse it in cold water, place in a saucepan, cover with cold water, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about an hour. Drain and leave to cool before using to stuff the tomatoes.
• Wash the tomatoes, then use a small knife to cut off the top third of each one. Reserve the tops. Use a spoon to carefully scoop out the seeds and pulp from the center of each tomato, being careful not to puncture the skins. Save the scooped-out pulp and seeds for making the sauce. Lightly salt the inside of each tomato and reserve.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Place the seeds and pulp in a small saucepan with a little thyme, bay leaf, salt and pepper, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the consistency of a thin tomato sauce, stirring frequently. Reserve.
• While the sauce is cooking, place the onion in a saucepan with the milk, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer 7-8 minutes. Lift the onions out of the milk with a slotted spoon and chop them coarsely. Save the milk.
• Place the toast in a mixing bowl and add the milk used in cooking the onions. Allow to soak for about 10 minutes, then crush the toast with a fork; pour off any excess milk.
• Chop the salt pork, and add it to the toast along with the onion, garlic, leftover meat and parsley. Mix well, then add the egg, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and knead with your hands to mix thoroughly.
• Butter a baking dish just large enough to hold all the tomatoes. Fill each tomato with stuffing, then put the top sections back in place and arrange them in the baking dish around the tomatoes, then place in the over and bake for 1 hour. Serve hot from the oven in the baking dish.