Old-Fashioned Stuffed Tomatoes with Rice

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Stuffed tomatoes are one of those foods I make all the time. I can hardly imagine cooking without tomatoes in my kitchen! I mean, they are used in everything from bruschetta to ketchup! Pizza, which is arguably one of the most popular foods out there, can you imagine it without the sauce?! For people in the English speaking world, tomatoes are relatively new ingredient!

Understanding Tomatoes

Tomatoes made their way to England in 1519. However, they were not used for food, but as an ornamental plant. It wasn’t until the 1800s that people started using these ruby red orbs as food.

For a long time people believed tomatoes to be poisonous, since the plant is classified in the nightshade family. While ingesting the plant is poisonous, the actual fruit is not.

And so, our love affair with this beautiful fruit begins!

How to Make Stuffed Tomatoes

There are so many recipes for stuffed tomatoes out there, because really you can stuff them with whatever you want. Meat, cheese, rice, and bread stuffing to name a few.

To make a perfectly stuffed tomato, the most important part is the proper tomato. The tomato acts as a flavourful food vessel for whatever you are placing inside. Like a bread bowl for a thick soup.

Tips to pick the perfect fruit for your stuffed tomato:

• Choose a large tomato. This is a dinner sized meal so you will want to choose the tomato accordingly.
• Choose a firm tomato. The outside of this tomato needs to hold up to being stuffed and cooked.
• Choose a tomato without blemishes. The whole outside of the tomato needs to stay intact. Plus, you will be presenting it to your dinner guest. So a good looking tomato is a must.

Beefsteak is one of the best choices for stuffed tomatoes due to their generous size, sturdy exterior, and they hold up well to heat.

Of course, your favourite variety of tomato will always be the best choice!

Can Stuffed Tomatoes Be Frozen?

The short answer is yes! Tomatoes and stuffed tomatoes can be frozen. However, their texture once defrosted will be altered. Defrosted frozen tomatoes loose their firm texture once frozen.

Stuffed tomatoes that are going to be cooked, will become softened anyways in the oven due to the cooking process.

To freeze stuffed tomatoes:

• Follow the recipe up to the point that you are going to cook the stuffed tomatoes.
• Place the uncooked stuffed tomatoes on a baking sheet and freeze for 2 – 3 hours.
• Once they are firm, remove them to a freezer bag or airtight container.
• Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What To Serve With Stuffed Tomatoes

This recipe can be served as a meat free main course or a side dish.

Some perfect stuffed tomato pairings are:

• Baked chicken breast. This versatile protein pairs perfectly with any tomato recipe.
• Pan Seared Steak. This rich and flavourful protein is a great choice for a tomato side dish.
• A thick slice of bread with cheese.

Alternatives

My favourite alternatives for rice are:

• Couscous
• Riced cauliflower
• Quinoa

You can also substitute the tomatoes for peppers/capsicums.

How to Store and Reheat Stuffed Tomatoes

Let them cool to room temperature. Then seal the leftover cooked tomatoes in an airtight container or covered in cling-film. Store the tomatoes in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

For longer storage refer to the freezer directions.

To reheat the leftovers, place on a baking sheet or oven proof dish and bake in a preheated 400 ºF (200 ºC) oven for 10-12 minutes or until the filling is warmed all the way through.

Alternatively, you can reheat them in an air fryer for 8-10 minutes.

Ingredients

6-8 large tomatoes

1 small bell pepper, diced

¼ cup diced onion 25 g

1 teaspoon dried parsley 5 ml

1 teaspoon salt 5 ml

¾ teaspoon curry powder 3.75 ml

2 cups cooked rice 400 g

¼ cup melted butter 60 ml

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 400 ºF (200 ºC).
2. Cut a circle out of the top of each tomato and remove.
3. With a spoon, scoop out the inside pulp of each tomato and turn upside down to drain.
4. Cook the rice according to the package directions.
5. In a large bowl combine the cooked rice, diced pepper, diced onion, parsley, salt, curry powder, and melted butter.
6. Dice the pulp from the inside of the tomatoes and add that to the bowl.
7. Mix the ingredients together.
8. Stuff each tomato with the curried rice mixture.
9. Place in a rectangular casserole dish.
10. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
11. Remove, cool slightly, and serve!