Stuffed Tomatoes (Makes 8)
8 firm and ripe tomatoes
1 chopped onion
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 clove minced garlic
4 oz ground beef, substitute ground turkey if desired
salt
black pepper
3 Tbsp Egyptian or short grain white rice
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup minced fresh mint
1/2 cup tomato juice or 1 tbsp tomato paste disolved in 1/2 cup hot water
1. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F. Cut off and put aside the tops of the
tomatoes. Remove pulp with a spoon and save for later. Turn
tomatoes upside down on paper towel so they can drain.
2. Saute the onion in the the olive oil in a small pan. Add the garlic and
ground beef and sprinkle the salt and pepper. Saute until meat is no
longer pink before adding tomato pulp, rice, water and a dash of salt.
Cover and simmer for 15 minutes befire stirring in mint leaves.
3. Sprinkle the inside of the hollowed tomatoes with salt and pepper
before filling it with the rice mixture. Spoon the tomato juice or paste
(disolved in hot water) onto the tomatoes before covering with them
with their tops.
4. Spray the bottom of a baking dish with cooking spray. Add a few Tbsp
of water in the bottom of the baking dish. Carefully place each tomato
into the baking dish and loosely cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and let cool. You can serve this with extra tomato
sauce on the side and with good bread and a green salad and enjoy!
