Grilled Tomatoes Stuffed With Bacon Basil Blue Cheese Recipes

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES WITH BACON, BLUE CHEESE, AND BASIL

Steps:

• Cut 1 round from each bread slice with cookie cutter.
• Cook bacon in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until crisp, then transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour off bacon fat from skillet and reserve fat (do not clean skillet).
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then toast 3 bread rounds, turning over once, until golden brown, about 3 minutes total. Transfer toasts to a rack to cool and season with salt and pepper. Toast remaining 3 bread rounds in 1 1/2 tablespoons more oil in same manner.
• Cook shallot in 2 tablespoons reserved bacon fat and remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a small heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add vinegar and simmer, whisking, until emulsified, about 1 minute. Season dressing with salt and pepper and keep warm, covered.
• Crumble bacon. Arrange bread rounds on 6 plates and divide tomato slices among them, stacking slices and sprinkling some basil and bacon between slices. Sprinkle cheese and remaining basil and bacon over and around tomatoes. Spoon some of warm bacon dressing over and around tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.

GRILLED MUSHROOMS STUFFED WITH BASIL AND BLUE CHEESE BUTTER

Steps:

• Coat tops of mushrooms with olive oil. Place mushrooms top-down in a grill-safe dish.
• Mix blue cheese, butter, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper thoroughly in a bowl. Scoop evenly into the mushroom caps.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Cook mushrooms until tender and heated through, about 5 minutes.

CHEESE-STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Scoop out center of each tomato half, leaving a 1/2 inch thick shell.
• Chop scooped out tomato pulp; set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine breadcrumbs, butter, basil, salt and pepper.
• Stir in cheese and chopped tomato pulp.
• Fill tomato shells with breadcrumb mixture.
• Wrap each stuffed half in foil.
• Place on grill, stuffed side up.
• Cook 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese melts.
• Remove foil; sprinkle with parsley.
• Serve hot and enjoy.

BLUE CHEESE STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Slice the top third (stem side) off each tomato. Cut a small slice off each bottom so that the tomatoes are flat and able to stand up. Using a melon baller or small spoon, remove the inside of each tomato to hollow out the center. Place the tomatoes on a plate or platter. Sprinkle the tomatoes with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Mash the cream cheese in a bowl with a rubber spatula until it is soft and malleable. Gently fold in the blue cheese, being careful not to overmix and break the blue clumps. Season with pepper. Use two small spoons to fill the tomatoes with the blue cheese mixture. (How much will depend on the size of the tomato; small tomatoes should get about 1 teaspoon of the mixture. You can also transfer the mixture to a pastry bag or resealable plastic bag with the corner cut off and pipe the cheese mixture into each tomato.)
• Toss the chives and bacon together in a small bowl. Top each tomato with the mixture. Drizzle hot honey over the entire plate. Serve.

BASIL-TOMATO GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• On four slices of bread, layer mozzarella cheese and tomatoes; sprinkle with the basil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Top with remaining bread. , In a small bowl, combine the oil, Parmesan cheese and garlic powder; brush over the outsides of each sandwich. , In a skillet over medium heat, toast sandwiches until golden brown on both sides and cheese is melted.