Cherry Tomatoes And Cucumber Rounds With Herbed Tuna Filling Recipes

CUCUMBER-STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato. Scoop out and discard pulp; invert tomatoes onto paper towels to drain. , In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth; stir in the cucumber, onion and dill. Spoon into tomatoes. Refrigerate until serving.

GEMELLI WITH TUNA AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and garlic to the pan. When garlic speaks by sizzling in oil, add tuna and mash into oil with the back of a wooden spoon. Let the tuna sit in the oil 5 to 10 minutes to infuse the fish flavor into the extra-virgin olive oil and to give the tuna time to break down -- it will almost melt into the extra-virgin olive oil. Raise the flame a bit and add the coarsely chopped tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Heat the tomatoes through, 2 minutes, then add hot, drained pasta that has been cooked to al dente. Add parsley to the tuna and pasta and toss to combine well and evenly coat pasta. Adjust seasonings. Top pasta with shredded basil and serve.

QUICK TUNA-STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/2-in. shell for each. Invert tomatoes onto paper towels to drain. , In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, celery salt, dill and pepper. Stir in the tuna, celery and cashews if desired. Spoon into tomato shells.

CHERRY TOMATOES AND CUCUMBER ROUNDS WITH HERBED TUNA FILLING

Steps:

• Place tuna in medium bowl. Flake with fork. Mix in yogurt and next 6 ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cut off 1/4 inch from tops of tomatoes. Gently squeeze out seeds. Cut thin slice from bottoms of tomatoes so that they will stand upright. Turn tomatoes top side up. Using small knife or melon baller, scoop out insides of tomatoes. Using tines of fork, score sides of cucumber lengthwise. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Using melon baller, scoop out some seeds in center of each round, being careful not too scoop through bottom. (Tuna mixture, tomatoes and cucumbers can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover separately; chill. Pour off any excess liquid from tuna before continuing.) Spoon tuna into tomatoes and onto cucumber rounds.