Tomatoes stuffed with minced meat
Description
Baked tomatoes stuffed with minced meat turn out juicy and delicious—just make sure not to bake them too long, so they keep their shape. You can sprinkle the dish with grated cheese at the end of cooking and bake for another 3–4 minutes. During this time, the cheese will melt, forming a delicious cheesy "top" on the tomatoes. Add a chicken egg to the minced meat—it will bind the filling and prevent it from falling apart. You can also enhance the filling with herbs, chopped vegetables, sour berries, etc.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare the listed ingredients. Buy any type of ground meat: chicken, pork, beef, or their mixtures. Rinse the tomatoes under water and dry them with paper towels.
- 2
Step 2
Cut off a "lid" from each fruit. It is advisable to use stable fruits that won't roll around on the baking sheet.
- 3
Step 3
Using a tablespoon or teaspoon, remove the tomato's contents, taking care not to damage the shell, otherwise the juice will leak out during baking. If necessary, cut the tomato flesh with a knife.
- 4
Step 4
Place the minced meat into a bowl or salad bowl. Add the seasoning and a chicken egg. It's better to first break the egg into a separate bowl and add it gradually, mixing the meat mixture to prevent it from becoming too runny. At this stage, you can also incorporate chopped herbs, grated onion, finely chopped vegetables, etc.
- 5
Step 5
Carefully fill the hollowed tomatoes with the stuffing, but don't overfill them—during baking, the stuffing will rise slightly and fluff up on its own. Grease parchment paper with oil, place it in a baking dish, and arrange the stuffed tomatoes on the paper. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
- 6
Step 6
Bake the tomatoes with the minced meat for about 20-25 minutes, making sure they keep their shape and the filling is thoroughly cooked. If the tomatoes are large, add another 5-10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer the finished dish onto a plate using a silicone spatula, assisting with a fork or knife if needed.
- 7
Step 7
Garnish the stuffed tomatoes with fresh herbs and serve hot with various sauces, salads, unsweetened baked goods, etc. Enjoy your meal!