Tomatoes are magnificent at the moment; red, plump, juicy, just a joy to eat. The inspiration for this recipe comes from one of my favourites – the caprese salad, and the tangible looming promise of summer. So I thought why not try baked caprese tomatoes? Glad I did, its utterly delicious! These baked tomatoes are versatile, and can be used as a main meal with a crispy fresh salad and some French baguette, or as a side to any meat dish.
Ingredients:
Ripe tomatoes
Buffalo mozzarella – It’s best to use a good quality buffalo mozzarella here, the normal “loaf style” mozzarella tends to go rubbery after baking it)
Basil pesto – I used a store brought variety.
Fresh basil leaves
Salt and pepper
Chilli flakes – optional
Recipe:
1 Preheat your oven to 200°C.
2 Cut the tops off the tomatoes and with a spoon and carefully scoop out the inside pulp and pips.
3 Place tomatoes on a baking tray.
4 Line the cavity of the tomato with fresh basil leaves and ½ tsp. of basil pesto.
5 Place ½ to 1 mozzarella ball in the tomato cavity – depending on size.
6 Top with ½ tsp. basil pesto.
7 Season well with salt and pepper.
8 Bake in the oven for about 10 – 12 minutes, or more, until the mozzarella is melted, bubbly and slightly browned.
9 Eat immediately.
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