Pesto Cream Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes Recipes

PESTO-STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut 1/4-inch slice from stem end of each tomato; scoop out pulp. Discard seeds; chop pulp. Mix pulp, 2 tablespoons cheese, the nuts, basil, oil, garlic salt and pepper. Gently stir in bread crumbs. Fill tomatoes with mixture.
• Place tomatoes in 4 small custard cups or arrange in circle in shallow round microwavable dish. Cover loosely with waxed paper.
• Microwave on High 3 to 4 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cheese. Cover and let stand about 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

CHERRY TOMATOES STUFFED WITH PESTO

Steps:

• To make the pesto, turn on a food processor fitted with the steel blade, and drop in the garlic. When it is chopped and adhering to the sides of the bowl, stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Add the basil, pumpkin seeds or pine nuts, salt, pepper and olive oil to the food processor, and process until smooth and creamy. Add the Parmesan, and pulse until well combined. You can also use a mortar and pestle. Add the basil leaves gradually, and mash with the pestle. Add the pumpkin seeds or pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper. Mash to a paste with the basil. Work in the olive oil and the Parmesan.
• Using a paring knife, cut thin slices from the tops of the cherry tomatoes. Use a grapefruit spoon or small spoon to scoop the seeds and flesh from the center of each tomato. Lightly salt the hollowed out tomatoes if desired, and place them, cut side down, on a rack to drain for 15 minutes. Fill with the pesto, arrange on a platter and serve. Refrigerate or freeze any excess pesto.

CHEESE-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. Combine cheese and onion; spoon into tomatoes., In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper. Spoon over tomatoes. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until ready to serve.

PESTO & CREAM CHEESE STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Place the cream cheese spread in a large bowl and beat until smooth. Add the pesto sauce and beat until thoroughly combined.
• Fit the piping tip on your piping bag, if using. Spoon the mixture into the piping bag or plastic sandwich bag. Pipe a dab of the cream cheese mixture onto each tomato half.
• Garnish each with a piece of basil.

BASIL CREAM CHEESE PESTO FILLED TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a food processor fitted with metal blade puree basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and cream cheese to make a paste.
• To hollow out cherry tomatoes, cut a cone shape out of the stem end of the tomato with a sharp paring knife.
• Fill tomatoes with "pesto" using a pastry bag fitted with a large nozzle.

LEMON-WALNUT PESTO STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Put all pesto ingredients in food processor and process until slightly chunky, or desired consistency.
• Taste and adjust seasonings, as necessary.
• Cut tomatoes (in half or cut off the very top) and remove seeds and juice (I use an iced tea spoon).
• Fill tomato with pesto using a pastry bag or ziploc bag (small spoon may also work).
• Sprinkle with paprika just before serving.
• Serve chilled or room temperature.

PESTO CHICKEN STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Wash and core tomato. I got a tomatoes corer from Bed, Bath and Beyond for $4. Once they are cored place them upside down on a paper towel to get rid of the extra water.
• In bowl mix chicken, celery and green olives (cheese if you want it). Mix in pesto a bit at a time, taste it once you have mixed in a couple tablespoons. Pesto can overpower the taste if you aren't careful. You may need more or less.
• If you need a bit more moisture and don't want to use more Pesto add a bit of olive oil.
• Pepper to taste. If it needs a more salty taste use either some of the green olive juice or salt (coarse salt is better).
• Use either a small spoon or a Ziploc bag that the tip was cut from and fill the tomatoes.
• If you want to get all pretty and fancy you can top it w/cheese or a green olive slice or basil leaf. You can also top w/Mozzarella Cheese and put under the broiler until cheese is melted.

STUFFED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Make an "X" in the top of each tomato, cutting two-thirds of the way to the bottom. Scoop out pulp with the tip of a knife. Drain tomatoes, upside down, on a paper towel. Combine filling ingredients in small bowl. Stuff tomatoes with filling. Keep refrigerated until serving. If desired, garnish with chives for flower stems.

PESTO STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300°F or 150°C (the lower temperature helps to stop the tomatoes from splitting).
• Cook the rice in the hot water, simmering over a low heat in a covered pan for around 20 minutes, until all the water has been absorbed.
• Meanwhile, slice the tops off the tomatoes, just enough to reveal the seeds. Also cut a fine slice from the bottom of each tomato, so they can stand up straight but not enough to leave a hole.
• Scoop the core and seeds out of each tomato to leave a shell, being careful to leave the base of the tomato intact.
• When the rice is fully cooked, remove from the heat.
• Add the pesto sauce, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup of the grated mozzarella cheese. Stir to mix well.
• Spoon the mixture carefully into each tomato shell, until level with the top of the tomato, pressing down with the spoon so the filling is firmly packed in.
• Place the other 1/8 cup of grated mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the filled tomatoes.
• Bake on a baking tray lined with foil for around 20 minutes, until the tomatoes are softened and the mozzarella is just turning golden.
• Enjoy!

CREAMY PESTO-STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Cook pasta shells as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, brown beef with onions in large skillet; drain. Remove from heat. Mix cream cheese spread, 2 Tbsp. milk and pesto until blended; stir 3/4 cup into meat. Add ricotta, 1/2 cup mozzarella and Parmesan; mix well.
• Drain shells; stuff with meat mixture. Spread 1 cup sauce onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish; top with shells and remaining sauce. Cover.
• Bake 25 min. Mix remaining cream cheese mixture and milk; drizzle over shells. Top with remaining mozzarella; bake, uncovered, 5 min. or until melted.