Pine Nut Stuffed Basil Tomatoes Recipes

ROASTED TOMATOES STUFFED WITH COUSCOUS, CHANTERELLES AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Peel tomatoes. Mince one tomato and set aside. Cut a 3/4-inch slice from the bottom of the others, reserving these pieces to serve as lids. Scoop out seeds and center flesh. Rub the insides with 1 tablespoon of olive oil; place a garlic clove, a sprig of thyme, a sprig of tarragon, a bay leaf and a basil leaf into each. Put the lids on and bake until they begin to soften, but still maintain their shape, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and discard garlic and herbs.
• In a double boiler, warm the couscous. Add the minced tomato, chanterelles, pine nuts, cucumber and corn and stir. Add 1 tablespoon of oil, the chopped chives, the minced tarragon and mint and stir. Spoon into the tomatoes, reheat in the oven and serve two to a plate garnished with whole chives.

TOMATOES STUFFED WITH BULGUR AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Cut off and discard top third of tomatoes and scoop out insides (leave shells intact for stuffing), transferring to a sieve set over a bowl to drain excess liquid. Coarsely chop tomato from sieve and reserve for making braised eggplant .
• Sprinkle insides of tomato shells with 1/2 teaspoon salt and drain upside down on a rack set in a pan while preparing filling.
• Simmer lentils in 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan until just tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Drain in a sieve, then rinse under cold water and drain well.
• Heat oil in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat until hot, then cook pine nuts, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Cook onion in oil remaining in pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add bulgur, chard, remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper and cook, stirring, until greens are wilted, about 2 minutes. Add remaining cup water, then remove from heat and let stand, covered, until bulgur is tender, about 30 minutes.
• Stir in pine nuts, currants, parsley, dill, lemon juice, lentils, and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon filling into tomato shells.

TOMATO, BASIL, PINE NUT DRESSING

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, pine nuts, water, and sugar. Cover, and refrigerate 8 hours, or overnight.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO, PINE NUTS AND BASIL STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Cut a deep horizontal pocket in the side of each chicken breast. Make the pocket as large as you can without piercing the top or bottom of the breast. Rub pepper & salt over the breasts. Place 2 slices of tomato 1 teaspoon pine nuts and about 4 basil leaves in the pocket of each chicken breast. Secure the pocket with toothpicks threading along the side to close. Heat the oil in a heavy oven-proof skillet until it begins to smoke. Cook each side of the chicken until golden brown.
• Add the vinegar and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and gently simmer the chicken for 2 or 3 minutes per side until cooked through.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and keep in a warm oven or under a foil tent. Continue to cook the sauce until it is reduced to a thick syrup.
• Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce over each chicken breast. Garnish with fresh basil.

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.

PINE NUT STUFFED BASIL TOMATOES

Steps:

• Prepare rice; set aside.
• Toast pine nuts, dry, in a pan over medium heat, shaking the pan gently as they brown. The natural oil content in the nuts will make toasting a quick process (about 3 minutes).
• Alternatively, you can toast them on a baking sheet in a pre-heated 325 degree oven until just golden (about 2-3 minutes).
• NOTE: Pine nuts can burn very easily, with about 15 seconds between "perfect" and "burned" so the best way to toast is on the stove, keeping your eyes on them the whole time.
• Toss the pine nuts, basil, and olive oil with the brown rice. Add salt and pepper to the mixture (to taste).
• Cut off and discard the tops of the tomatoes.
• Remove the tomato pulp and seeds.
• Fill each tomato with the rice mixture.
• Serve warm or chilled (I like them warm!).