Little Stuffed Vegetables Provencal Recipes

PROVENCAL STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Arrange the bread cubes on a baking sheet and lightly toast in the oven, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
• Increase the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Remove the cores from the top of the tomatoes and cut the top off the tomato 1/4 of the way down. Reserve the tops. Slice enough of the bottom off each tomato, so it stands up, but don't cut through to the seed. (If you cut too deep, patch the hole with the piece you have just sliced off, by placing it in the bottom after you've hollowed it out.)
• Using a melon baller, carefully scoop the inside of the tomatoes out, taking care not to penetrate the sides and create holes. Collect the balls of pulp and chop coarsely. Press the juice and seeds through a strainer. Add the strained juice to the chopped pulp.
• In a bowl, mix together the tomato pulp, Parmesan, olives, olive oil, parsley, basil, oregano, and garlic. Toss with the bread cubes and season with salt and pepper. Let the mixture sit until the bread cubes have soaked up most of the moisture.
• Season the interior of each tomato with salt and black pepper. Stuff each tomato with 1 bread cube and as much as herb olive mixture that you can pack in. Top with the reserved tomato tops and stick a toothpick through the center of the top to keep it from sliding off while it bakes. Place the stuffed tomatoes in a roasting pan that has been drizzled with olive oil. Drizzle the tops of tomatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until bubbling and tender, about 30 to 40 minutes.

PETITS FARCIS - PROVENçE STUFFED BAKED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
• Grease a roasting tin or a tian (earthenware dish) with some olive oil.
• Cut the tops of the courgettes and tomatoes, keeping the lids.
• Using a pointed spoon, hollow out centres of the courgettes and tomatoes - leaving about 1/2" thickness as the "container".
• Place the courgettes and tomatoes into the oiled tin or tian.
• Chop up the tomato and courgette flesh finely and place into a bowl.
• Heat half of the oil in a large frying pan, wok or skillet; add the onions, garlic, and cook over a medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until softened.
• Add the sausage meat, and break it up well - continue to cook for a further 5 minutes or until the sausage meat has browned.
• Add the chopped courgette and tomato flesh and continue to cook for 3-5 minutes.
• Add the tomato puree and stirring occasionally, cook for a further 10 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and add the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and the chopped parsley - stir well.
• Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Spoon the mixture into the vegetables - and then place the tops back on top of the courgettes and tomatoes.
• Drizzle the remaining olive oil over and around the stuffed vegetables and then pour in the white wine.
• Bake for 45 - 60 minutes, until well browned and the vegetables are soft, but still holding their shape.
• Serve tepid or at room temperature, with the cooking liquor drizzled around the petits farcis & some chopped parsley or basil sprinkled over them. All that is needed then, is some crusty bread, good wine, good company and maybe some sun!