Tomatoes stuffed with orzo and peas is a comforting side dish or light main dish to make any time of year, whenever firm, flavorful tomatoes are available.
What goes better with tomatoes than pasta? The tiny size and pleasant mouthfeel of rice-shaped orzo pasta suits stuffed tomatoes perfectly.
What kind of tomatoes to use: Any kind of large, firm ripe tomato, including beefsteak, tomatoes on the vine, or heirloom. The latter may be a bit bumpy, but would make a good stuffing tomato if large enough.
Recipe adapted from Vegetariana by Nava Atlas. Photos by Hannah Kaminsky, BittersweetBlog.com.
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Tomatoes Stuffed with Orzo & Peas
What goes better with tomatoes than pasta? The tiny size and pleasant mouthfeel of rice-shaped orzo pasta suits stuffed tomatoes perfectly.
Ingredients
- 6 large firm, ripe tomatoes
- 2/3 cup raw orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
- 1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives or scallion
- 2/3 cup steamed fresh or thawed frozen green peas
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Fine breadcrumbs for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. (Alternatively, you can cook these in batches in the air fryer at 370ºF; preheat 3 minutes before baking time.)
- Cut about 1/2 inch crosswise from the stem end of each tomato. Carefully scoop them out with the aid of a small serrated knife and a spoon, leaving a sturdy 1/4 inch thick shell. Discard any very seedy sections. Chop any pulp that’s left and set aside.
- Cook the orzo according to package directions until al dente, then drain and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Add the reserved tomato pulp if any, parsley, chives, peas, paprika, and basil to the cooked orzo. Stir together.
- Stuff each tomato half with the orzo mixture and sprinkle lightly with the breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the oven, or 10 minutes in the air fryer (in batches if need be), or until the tomatoes are done to your liking.
See lots more plant-forward Salads & Sides.
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