Lemon Walnut Pesto-Filled Cherry Tomatoes
Lemon Walnut Pesto-Filled Cherry Tomatoes are bite-sized delights perfect for any gathering. These juicy cherry tomatoes are generously stuffed with a zesty and nutty pesto featuring fresh basil, toasted walnuts, and a hint of lemon, bringing vibrant flavors and a touch of elegance to your appetizer spread. The smooth and rich filling contrasts beautifully with the burst of fresh tomato, making these a hit among both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Customize the pesto's oil content to suit your preference for a smoother or chunkier texture, and garnish with fresh basil or walnut halves if desired for an extra touch.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cherry Tomatoes
12
Fresh Basil Leaves
1/2 cup (loosely packed)
Toasted Walnuts
1/2 cup (coarsely chopped)
Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup (freshly grated)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1-2 tablespoons
Lemon Juice
1 tablespoon
Ground Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Salt
(to taste)
Paprika
(for garnish, optional)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the pesto: place the toasted walnuts, fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, ground pepper, and salt into a food processor.
2
Drizzle in 1-2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, according to your desired pesto consistency, and blend the ingredients until you achieve a slightly chunky or smoother texture as preferred.
3
Taste the pesto and adjust the seasonings or olive oil as necessary to achieve your desired flavor and consistency.
4
Prepare the cherry tomatoes by gently cutting off the tops with a sharp knife. Use a small spoon, such as an iced tea spoon, to carefully remove the seeds and juices.
5
Fill each prepared tomato with the pesto using a pastry bag, a ziploc bag with a corner snipped off, or a small spoon.
6
If desired, garnish each stuffed tomato with a sprinkle of paprika just before serving for added flavor and presentation.
7
Chill the filled tomatoes in the refrigerator until ready to serve, or serve at room temperature, on a platter for an appealing presentation.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Lemon Walnut Pesto-Filled Cherry Tomatoes?
They are bite-sized appetizers featuring cherry tomatoes stuffed with a zesty pesto made from fresh basil, toasted walnuts, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it contains fresh vegetables, nuts, cheese, and herbs.
How many cherry tomatoes are used in this recipe?
The recipe specifies using 12 cherry tomatoes.
What are the primary ingredients in the pesto filling?
The filling consists of toasted walnuts, fresh basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Can I prepare the pesto ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pesto in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to fill the tomatoes.
How do I prepare the cherry tomatoes for stuffing?
Gently cut off the tops with a sharp knife and use a small spoon, such as an iced tea spoon, to carefully remove the seeds and juices.
What is the best way to fill the tomatoes with pesto?
You can use a pastry bag, a Ziploc bag with a corner snipped off, or a small spoon to fill each tomato.
Should the walnuts be toasted?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1/2 cup of toasted walnuts to provide a richer flavor.
How can I adjust the consistency of the pesto?
You can drizzle in 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil depending on whether you prefer a chunky or smoother texture.
What garnish is recommended for this appetizer?
A sprinkle of paprika is suggested as an optional garnish just before serving for added flavor and presentation.
Should these be served cold or at room temperature?
They can be served either way; you can chill them in the refrigerator until serving or present them at room temperature.
What tools do I need for this recipe?
You will need a food processor for the pesto, a sharp knife, a small spoon for scooping, and a piping tool like a pastry bag.
Is the lemon flavor very strong?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, providing a bright, zesty hint that complements the nutty walnuts and fresh basil.
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
While fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor, bottled juice can be used as a substitute.
What type of cheese is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
To make it vegan, you would need to substitute the Parmesan cheese with a dairy-free cheese alternative or nutritional yeast.
How much basil is required?
You will need 1/2 cup of loosely packed fresh basil leaves.
How do I prevent the tomatoes from rolling on the platter?
Though not explicitly in the instructions, you can slice a tiny bit off the bottom of each tomato to create a flat base if they are unstable.
Is this a gluten-free appetizer?
Yes, the ingredients listed (tomatoes, nuts, herbs, cheese, oil) are naturally gluten-free.
How much salt and pepper should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of ground pepper and salt to taste, which you can adjust while blending.
Are these tomatoes good for a party?
Yes, they are described as bite-sized delights that bring elegance to any appetizer spread or gathering.
Can I use different types of nuts?
The recipe is specifically for a walnut pesto, but you could experiment with pine nuts or almonds for a different flavor profile.
Do I need to peel the tomatoes?
No, the tomatoes should be kept whole with their skins on; you only remove the tops and seeds.
How do I toast the walnuts?
You can toast them in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant or in the oven for a few minutes before coarsely chopping them.
Is there any garlic in this recipe?
This specific recipe does not list garlic, focusing instead on the lemon and walnut flavor combination.
What type of olive oil is recommended?
Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for its superior flavor in raw preparations like pesto.
How long do these take to assemble?
As an 'easy' tagged recipe, once the pesto is blended, the assembly process for 12 tomatoes is quite fast.
Can I use large tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes?
While intended as a bite-sized appetizer, you could use the same pesto filling for larger tomatoes, though it may require more filling.
Should the tomatoes be washed?
Yes, you should always wash and dry fresh produce before beginning any food preparation.
What other garnishes can I use besides paprika?
The description suggests you could also garnish with fresh basil leaves or small walnut halves for an extra touch.