Fiery Stuffed Fiesta Tomatoes
Experience a delightful fusion of Mexican and Spanish flavors with these vibrant baked tomatoes. Each tomato is filled with a zesty mixture of corn, jalapeno, and bell pepper, all brought together with the creamy goodness of Monterey Jack cheese and the aromatic notes of basil and cilantro. This dish can be effortlessly adapted to suit your desired serving size and brings a colorful twist to any meal. Inspired by the classics, this recipe offers a fresh and fiery component to your culinary repertoire.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
tomatoes
6 (ripe but firm, tops sliced off and hollowed)
corn kernels
1 cup (fresh or frozen and thawed)
fresh jalapeno pepper
1/2 (minced)
scallions
1/3 cup (chopped)
red bell pepper
1/3 cup (minced)
fresh basil leaves
3 tablespoons (chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried))
cilantro
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Monterey Jack cheese
4 ounces (shredded)
salt
1/2 teaspoon
black pepper
to taste
yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon
unsalted butter
1 tablespoon (dot on tomatoes)
Instructions
1
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with oil and set it aside.
2
2. Slice off the top quarter of each tomato and set the tops aside for later use. Using a melon baller or a small spoon, carefully scoop out the centers from three tomatoes, preserving the pulp in a mixing bowl. Repeat with the remaining tomatoes, but save their pulp for another use.
3
3. Invert the hollowed tomato shells onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess moisture.
4
4. In the mixing bowl with the tomato pulp, add the corn kernels, minced jalapeno, chopped scallions, red bell pepper, basil, cilantro, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Toss gently to combine all the ingredients.
5
5. Loosely fill each tomato shell with the prepared mixture, allowing room for expansion during baking.
6
6. Sprinkle each stuffed tomato with 1/2 teaspoon of yellow cornmeal, and dot the top with 1/2 teaspoon of unsalted butter.
7
7. Arrange the prepared tomatoes upright on the greased baking sheet.
8
8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the tomatoes are tender.
9
9. Just before serving, place the reserved tomato tops back onto each stuffed tomato to keep the flavors locked in and for a charming presentation.
10
10. Serve warm and enjoy the vibrant flavors of the Fiery Stuffed Fiesta Tomatoes!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Fiery Stuffed Fiesta Tomatoes?
Fiery Stuffed Fiesta Tomatoes are a fusion dish of Mexican and Spanish flavors, consisting of baked tomatoes filled with a zesty mixture of corn, jalapeno, bell pepper, and Monterey Jack cheese.
What cuisines inspire this recipe?
The recipe is inspired by a fusion of Mexican and Spanish culinary traditions.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegetarian and contains no meat products.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as gluten-free.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to yield 6 servings.
What is the required oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
How should I prepare the tomatoes for stuffing?
Slice off the top quarter of each tomato, set the tops aside, and hollow out the centers using a melon baller or small spoon.
What should I do with the tomato pulp?
Save the pulp from three of the tomatoes to include in the filling mixture; the pulp from the remaining tomatoes can be used for another purpose.
Why do I need to invert the hollowed tomatoes onto paper towels?
Inverting the tomatoes helps drain any excess moisture before they are stuffed and baked.
What type of cheese is used in the filling?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
Can I use frozen corn for this recipe?
Yes, you can use fresh corn kernels or frozen corn that has been thawed.
How much jalapeno should I add for the 'fiery' flavor?
The recipe uses 1/2 of a fresh jalapeno pepper, minced.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
Yes, if you do not have fresh basil, you can substitute 3 tablespoons of fresh leaves with 1 tablespoon of dried basil.
What fresh herbs are included in the filling?
The filling includes fresh basil leaves and fresh cilantro.
How do I season the corn mixture?
Season the mixture with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and black pepper to taste.
What is the purpose of the cornmeal in this recipe?
A half-teaspoon of yellow cornmeal is sprinkled over each stuffed tomato before baking for texture and flavor.
How much butter is added to each tomato?
Each stuffed tomato should be dotted with 1/2 teaspoon of unsalted butter.
How should I fill the tomato shells?
Loosely fill each tomato shell with the mixture to allow room for expansion during the baking process.
How long should the tomatoes bake?
Bake the tomatoes for approximately 25 minutes.
How do I know when the tomatoes are done?
The tomatoes are ready when the tops are golden brown and the shells are tender.
What should I do with the tomato tops that were sliced off?
Place the reserved tops back onto the stuffed tomatoes just before serving for presentation and to lock in flavor.
Should I serve this dish hot or cold?
The recipe recommends serving the Fiery Stuffed Fiesta Tomatoes warm.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as easy and can be effortlessly adapted.
What tools are suggested for hollowing the tomatoes?
A melon baller or a small spoon is suggested for carefully scooping out the centers.
What type of bell pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of minced red bell pepper.
How much onion flavor is in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1/3 cup of chopped scallions.
Is this dish suitable for a summer meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a summer dish, highlighting the use of fresh tomatoes and corn.
How many total ingredients are needed?
There are 12 ingredients required for this recipe.
Do I need to grease the baking sheet?
Yes, you should lightly grease the baking sheet with oil before arranging the tomatoes.
What is the general flavor profile of this dish?
It is described as zesty, creamy, aromatic, and fiery.