Croatian Mushroom Stuffed Tomatoes Recipes

MUSHROOM-STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut tomatoes in half; scoop out and discard pulp, leaving a thin shell. Sprinkle lightly with salt; invert on paper towels to drain for 15 minutes. , In a large skillet, saute mushrooms in butter until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with flour; stir in cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. , Remove from the heat. Stir in the bread crumbs, parsley and 1/3 cup of cheese. Spoon into tomato cups; sprinkle with remaining cheese. , Place in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 400° until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.

CROATIAN MUSHROOM-STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• With a sharp knife, cut a small hole in the stem end of each tomato and gently scoop out most of the tomato pulp with a teaspoon.
• In a medium skillet, saute the onions in oil until translucent.
• Add the mushrooms, seasonings and herbs.
• Saute, stirring occasionally until the mushrooms release their juice, and then simmer until liquid is reduced, about 5-8 minutes.
• Sprinkle with the flour and stir well.
• Mix in the eggs to coat the mushrooms and cook for a few more minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Season the inside of the hollowed tomatoes with salt and pepper to help the tomatoes retain their shape.
• Stuff the tomatoes with the mushroom mixture and place them in a buttered 9X13 baking pan.
• Combine the grated cheese and bread crumbs.
• Top each tomato with about 1 1/2 Tbsp of this mixture.
• Add 1/2 cup water to the bottom of the baking pan and bake the tomatoes, covered, for 20 minutes.
• Uncover, and bake for another 5 minutes until cheese is slightly browned.

MEDITERRANEAN MUSHROOM-STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 375?F.
• 2. Slice the tops off the tomatoes, reserve these as "lids.".
• 3. Scoop out the flesh and juice of the tomatoes into a bowl and mash until pulpy. Set aside.
• 4. Sprinkle the inside of the tomatoes with the salt and turn upside down on a paper towel to drain excess juice. Set aside.
• 5. Heat the oil in a large frypan over medium-high heat and sauté the mushrooms, zucchini and herbes de Provence until "al dente" (you're going to cook this mixture again in the oven so you don't want to overcook at this point).
• 6. Add the reserved tomato flesh and the pearl barley/ wheat berries and stir to thoroughly combine.
• 7. Add the egg and Parmesan, stir well and remove from the heat.
• 8. Season to taste.
• 9. Rinse the salt out of the tomato halves and pat dry with a paper towel.
• 10. Fill the tomato halves with the mushroom mixture - packing tightly by pressing on the mixture with the back of a soup spoon.
• 11. Place the tomato halves on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
• 12. Place the tomato tops on each tomato, sprinkle with a little olive oil and bake for approximately 30-40 minutes until the filling is hot and the tomato flesh is slightly softened.
• 13. Optional: you can remove the tops from the tomatoes and sprinkle with some fresh herbs, replacing the tops to serve.