Pastina Stuffed Tomatoes Recipes

PASTINA STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• 1. Cook pastina in boiling water for 5 minutes.
• 2. Drain.
• 3. Cut the tops off of the tomatoes and use a knife to cut around the inside, separating the flesh from the skin. Scoop out the flesh and place the pulp in a strainer. Separate as many of the seeds from the meat as possible and discard. Chop the remaining meat and working as much of the juice out as possible.
• 4. In a small mixing bowl, add all the ingredients except for the topping Panko crumbs; mix well.
• 5. Spoon the mixture into the tomato skins and top with the remaining crumbs.
• 6. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F. for 15 minutes or until tops brown. Be careful overcooking will cause the tomatoes to split. Allow to cool for a few minutes to set before serving.

STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• A big platter of these tomatoes goes well with grilled meat or fish, or serve them as a starter with cured meats and crusty bread.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Toast the bread, then remove the crusts and break it up into the food processor to make crumbs. Add the thyme, chives or parsley, oil and garlic, then pulse briefly to mix.
• Halve the tomatoes and put in one layer in a shallow ovenproof dish. Spread each cut side with a little mustard, then sprinkle a little of the crumb mix on the top. Bake for 15-20 mins until the topping is crunchy and lightly browned.

CHEESY SPINACH STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• 2. Grease a baking dish.
• 3. Cut off the tops of the tomatoes and scoop out just the pulp, leaving the walls intact. Pour the juice of the tomatoes into a measuring cup to reserve 1/4 cup. Sprinkle the inside of each tomato with salt and turn upside down onto a paper towel.
• 4. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add spinach and garlic, saute for about 2 minutes. Then add reserved tomato juice and wine. Let cook for another few minutes.
• 5. Remove saucepan from heat. Now add Parmesan, feta and panko breadcrumbs. Mix well. Add more panko if needed.
• 6. Spoon this mixture evenly into each tomato til slightly over flowing, as in photo.
• 7. Bake uncovered on middle rack for about 30-35 minutes. Keep an eye on them so that they don't brown too much. Then remove from oven.
• 8. Allow them to cool slightly. Serve warm.
• 9. These can also be made using cherry tomatoes and served as orderves.

PASTINA RISOTTO WITH ROASTED TOMATO AND PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pastina and cook for half the time recommended on the package. The pasta should still be very firm in the center as it will be cooked more.
• Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil to keep the pasta from sticking together. (You can prepare the pasta to this point up to 8 hours ahead; refrigerate it until you are ready to finish the dish).
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the garlic and saute until browned. Add the oregano and cook briefly to release its fragrance, then add 1 1/2 cups water. Bring the liquid to a boil, add the partially cooked pasta, and stir to coat. Add 1 cup stock or broth, season with salt and pepper, and simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the Roasted Tomato and Pepper Sauce and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, then stir in the spinach to wilt. Thin, if desired, with some of the reserved pasta water. Remove from the heat, place in serving spoons and sprinkle with grated Parmesan. Serve warm.
• Note: If you don't have any small pasta shapes in the pantry, you can grind spaghetti in your food processor until it's reduced to short lengths.
• Put the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the broiler to high.
• Smash the tomatoes with your hands and put them and their juice to a large bowl. Add the peppers, garlic, oil, vinegar, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper and mix the ingredients well. Pour out onto a shallow baking pan and place the pan on the middle rack of the oven under the broiler for 15 minutes. Give the mixture a good stir and cook for another 15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
• Puree the mixture in batches in a blender. (Do not fill the blender more than half full and hold a kitchen towel firmly over the blender lid while pureeing. Hot liquids can expand causing the lid the pop off and the hot liquid to splatter.) If not using right away, allow to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
• Yield: about 4 1/2 cups