Tomato Stack Recipes

ROASTED EGGPLANT AND TOMATO STACKS

Steps:

• In a large bowl toss the eggplant slices with 1/4 cup kosher salt. Using your fingertips, evenly distribute the salt on both sides of each slice. Place the eggplant in a colander set over a large bowl or sheet pan to catch juices. Set aside for 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line two 18 by 13-inch baking sheets with heavy-duty foil.
• Rinse the eggplant under cold water and dry thoroughly with paper towels.
• Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer on one baking sheet. Brush olive oil on 1 side. Brush with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with freshly ground pepper.
• Drizzle the other pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Arrange the tomato slices in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with the minced garlic.
• Roast the tomatoe slices until they are very soft and just beginning to brown, 10 to 15 minutes, without turning. Bake the eggplant slices until they are tender and well browned, 20 to 30 minutes, without turning. Let the tomato and eggplant slices cool until you can handle them with your fingers.
• Make a short stack starting with eggplant on the bottom, 1 slice mozzarella, and then tomato. Top with another piece of eggplant. Warm stacks in the oven until mozzarella lightly melts. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

EGGPLANT, TOMATO, AND PESTO STACK

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse 1/2 cup walnuts until finely chopped. Add 2 cups basil and garlic, and pulse while slowly adding 1/2 cup oil, scraping down sides as needed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add Parmesan; season with salt and black pepper; process until pesto is well combined. Heat oven to 400°F. Brush eggplant slices with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with sea salt; roast on a baking sheet, turning once, until tender and golden, 20 minutes. Top each with 1 tablespoon pesto. Alternately layer 2 eggplant slices, 2 tomato slices and 1 slice mozzarella. (Refrigerate any remaining pesto for another use.) Divide balsamic vinegar, remaining 2 tablespoons walnuts and basil leaves among stacks.

GRILLED CHEESE AND TOMATO STACKS

Steps:

• Whisk 1 teaspoon oil, mint, cumin, and pinch of freshly ground black pepper in medium bowl to blend. Add cheese slices; toss to coat. Marinate at room temperature at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill pitas until warm and grill marks appear, about 1 minute per side; transfer to serving plate. Grill cheese until grill marks appear and cheese begins to melt, about 1 minute per side. Stack each warm pita with slice of tomato and cheese. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle tomatoes lightly with sea salt.
• Available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores, natural foods stores, and Greek markets.

STACKED TOMATO AND BURRATA SALAD

Steps:

• Place bottom tomato slice onto a plate and season with sea salt and black pepper. Spread burrata cheese over tomato slice and top with torn basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil. Top with next tomato slice. Repeat cheese-tomato layering process with remaining slices, finishing with top tomato slice.

TOMATO STACK-SALAD

Steps:

• Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each tomato so it will stand upright.
• Discard these slices.
• Cut each tomato horizontally into 5 slices, keeping the slices together.
• Mix the baby greens, 1/4 cup of dressing, and the blue cheese in a small bowl.
• Place the tomato slices on a serving dish.
• Using 1/4 of the salad mixture, equally top the tomato slices.
• Repeat the layers three more times, ending with the top tomato slices.
• Drizzle the remaining 1/4 cup dressing and serve.

SLICED HEIRLOOM TOMATO STACK WITH BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Pour buttermilk into a shallow bowl. In a separate bowl spread out the rice coating. Take onion rings and coat with buttermilk, and then cover with coating, shaking off excess. Place coated rings on a tray.
• In a large deep saucepan, heat peanut oil to 375 degrees F. With a slotted wire spoon, carefully lower the coated rings into pan to fry. Do the rings in small batches to allow oil to remain a consistent temperature. Place fried rings on a paper towel on a tray to dry.
• Tomato Stack:
• Cut a small slice from the bottom of the tomatoes - enough so that they will stand. Slice the tomatoes into 1/2-inch thick slices (about 2 or 3), leaving the stem on top.
• Season the slices with salt and pepper to taste, drizzle with olive oil.
• Place the basil leaves in between the tomato slices, and re-stack tomato. Serve re-stacked tomatoes around a larger stack of onion rings in center of a large serving plate. Drizzle more olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Grate the frozen blue cheese over top.
• Grind the rice in a blender until very fine. Put it in a bowl and add the all-purpose flour, semolina, salt and pepper. Toss until well blended. Store in a sealed container in the freezer for maximum freshness.

TOMATO STACK SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat grill to high heat.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon to and cook, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 8 minutes.
• Drain the bacon on paper towels. Combine the buttermilk and next 5 ingredients (through garlic), stirring with a whisk. Stir in ¼ teaspoon pepper.
• Coat the corn with cooking spray. Place the corn on grill rack and cook, turning occasionally, until well marked, about 8 minutes. Remove from grill and cool slightly. Cut the corn kernels from cobs.
• Sprinkle the tomato slices evenly with salt. Alternate layers of tomato and avocado on each of 4 plates. Scatter the corn evenly onto the plates. Drizzle each tomato stack with about 1½ tablespoons of dressing and 1 teaspoon of oil. Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of black pepper over the salads and top each salad with 1 bacon piece and basil leaves.

MOM'S STUFFED EGGS TOMATO STACK

Steps:

• Slice hard boiled eggs in half and put yokes in a small bowl.
• Set egg white halves aside.
• Mash yolks with a fork.
• Add to yolks, finely chopped green onion, finely chopped garlic, curry powder, celery salt and mustard.
• Mix thoroughly.
• Add only enough of the mayonnaise to bind the mix, we like ours fairly dry, if you want them less dry, add a small amount of mayonnaise at a time until you get the consistancy you want.
• Slice the plum tomatoes into 12 rounds, six rounds from each.
• Arrange tomato slices on a platter.
• Sprinkle the tomatoes with freshly ground pepper to taste.
• Fill the egg white halves with a heaping tablespoon of the yolk mix.
• Place one filled egg white half on top of each tomato slice.
• Sprinkle freshly ground sea salt on filled eggs and tomato slice stack.
• Sprinkle cayenne pepper on filled eggs and tomato slice stack to taste and finish with a sprinkle of paprika to add more colour.
• Garnish platter with sprigs of parsley.

FRIED GREEN TOMATO STACKS

Steps:

• Mix the first 4 ingredients and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; refrigerate until serving. Place flour in a shallow bowl; place egg whites in a separate shallow bowl. In a third bowl, mix cornmeal, salt and remaining pepper., Cut each tomato crosswise into 4 slices. Lightly coat each slice in flour; shake off excess. Dip in egg whites, then in cornmeal mixture., In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. In batches, cook tomatoes until golden brown, 4-5 minutes per side., In same pan, lightly brown Canadian bacon on both sides. For each serving, stack 1 slice each green tomato, bacon and red tomato. Serve with sauce.

AIR-FRYER GREEN TOMATO STACKS

Steps:

• Preheat air fryer to 375°. Mix mayonnaise, lime zest and juice, thyme and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; refrigerate until serving. Place flour in a shallow bowl; place egg whites in a separate shallow bowl. In a third bowl, mix cornmeal, salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper., Cut each tomato crosswise into 4 slices. Lightly coat each slice in flour; shake off excess. Dip in egg whites, then in cornmeal mixture., In batches, place tomatoes on greased tray in air-fryer basket; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 4-6 minutes. Turn; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 4-6 minutes longer., For each serving, stack 1 slice each green tomato, bacon and red tomato. Serve with sauce.