Stuffed Caramelized Tomatoes With Vanilla Ice Cream Recipes

STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a medium skillet, heat sugar with water. Heat until it melts and becomes a caramel.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the pears and the almonds. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the insides into the bowl with the pears, reserving the pod.
• Add the orange juice and the vanilla pod to the caramel and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the star anise and reduce for 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the reserved tomato pulp, lemon and orange zests, cinnamon and mint to the bowl with the pears and add 1/4 of the caramel mixture. Stir to blend.
• "Stuff" the insides of the tomatoes with the mixture and top with the "hats". Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the tomatoes into a baking dish and pour the caramel into the base of the dish.
• Place the pan in the oven and cook, basting from time to time, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Serve the tomatoes, with the remaining caramel, and vanilla ice cream.

STUFFED BAKED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/2-in. shell. Invert shells onto paper towels to drain. Mix stuffing ingredients except parsley; spoon stuffing into tomatoes. Sprinkle with parsley. , Place tomatoes in a baking dish; cover with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning of stuffing. Bake until tomatoes are tender and stuffing is hot, about 30 minutes.

STUFFED CARAMELIZED TOMATOES WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Drop the tomatoes in boiling water for 15 seconds; then, remove and dip in ice water. Peel the tomatoes, and cut a slice from the top to form a "hat."
• Use a small spoon to remove the insides of the tomatoes. Reserve the pulp.
• In a bowl, combine the diced pears, pineapple and apples. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise, and scrape the contents of the bean into the bowl. Add the pistachio nuts, walnuts and almonds.
• Pour one-third cup of sugar into a saute pan and add a tablespoon of water. Place over high heat, and allow the sugar to melt for about a minute; then, add the fruit-and-nut mixture. Cook for five to seven minutes, until the fruits soften slightly. Remove from the heat.
• Add the lemon and orange zests, the reserved tomato pulp, grated ginger, cloves, cinnamon, anise and mint leaves. Mix well, fill the tomatoes and top with their "hats."
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Place 1 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of water in an oven-proof casserole just large enough to hold the tomatoes side by side. Over high heat, caramelize the sugar to a golden brown. Add the orange juice and bring to a boil, making sure all of the sugar has melted. Boil until the mixture has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Place the tomatoes in the casserole. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes; then, remove from oven. As the tomatoes cool, baste them frequently with the caramel-orange sauce.
• Serve the tomatoes while still slightly warm. Serve two on a plate in a pool of caramel-orange sauce with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.