Recipes

Baked Tomatoes

2 Mins read
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Introduction

Baked Tomatoes is a delightful dish that captures the essence of summer in every bite. This recipe offers a simple yet flavor-packed experience, showcasing how basic ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary. With just 5 key components – bread, tomatoes, garlic, parsley, and capers – this dish is both comforting and versatile, perfect for any occasion or meal.

Tips for this recipe

For the best results with Baked Tomatoes: preheat your oven to ensure even cooking; slice tomatoes uniformly for consistent roasting; and use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for a rich flavor. A hint of salt before baking can enhance the natural sweetness of the tomatoes, making this dish an irresistible addition to your culinary repertoire.

Why you will love this recipe

Baked Tomatoes is a testament to how simple ingredients can be elevated through thoughtful preparation and cooking techniques. Its rich flavors are enhanced by the caramelization of tomatoes, and the harmonious blend of herbs creates an inviting, rustic dish that’s sure to impress your guests or satisfy a cozy family dinner.

Ingredients

– 1/2 loaf Italian bread (about 8 ounces)
– 5 to 6 sprigs flat-leaf Italian parsley
– 1 medium clove garlic
– 1 tablespoon capers
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, or more as needed
– 2 large tomatoes or 4 small ones

Advised equipments

For Baked Tomatoes, the following equipment is advised:
– Baking Sheet (Heavy Duty)
– Oxford Baker’s Steel Skillet
– Kitchen Scale (Digital)
– Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
– Parchment Paper Sheets
– Microplane Grater
– Digital Instant-Read Thermometer
– Chef’s Knife (Stainless Steel)
– Silicone Baking Mat
– Kitchen Timer (Digital)
– Measuring Spoons Set

History of the recipe

The concept of roasting tomatoes has roots in traditional Italian cuisine, where simplicity and quality ingredients are celebrated. Baked Tomatoes, as a modern interpretation, takes inspiration from this culinary tradition by focusing on bringing out the natural flavors through baking. While not an ancient recipe, it echoes time-honored cooking practices that prioritize freshness, balance, and minimalism – key principles in Italian gastronomy.

Fun facts about this recipe

Did you know? The practice of baking tomatoes originated from the desire to preserve their flavor while enhancing texture. Today’s Baked Tomatoes dish takes it a step further, using innovative cooking techniques to accentuate the natural sweetness and richness of this beloved fruit. Moreover, combining these ingredients in one recipe is reminiscent of the Italian philosophy that ‘simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,’ showcasing how complex flavors can be achieved with minimal components.

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Baked Tomatoes

Baked Tomatoes

amanda

Equipment

  • - Baking Sheet (Heavy Duty): This heavy-duty baking sheet is perfect for roasting vegetables like tomatoes in the oven, providing even heat distribution and durability.

  • - Oxford Baker's Steel Skillet: A versatile skillet that can be used on stovetops or under a broiler to finish off baked goods with crispy edges. Ideal for preparing tomato sauces or searing the top of baked dishes.

  • - Kitchen Scale (Digital): Ensuring precise measurements is crucial in recipe execution, especially when portion sizes matter as much as flavor balance and cooking time.

  • - Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls: Multi-purpose bowls for mixing ingredients or serving dishes that can withstand high temperatures without warping, suitable for prepping baked tomato recipes.

  • - Parchment Paper Sheets: Non-stick surface ideal for lining baking sheets and avoiding sticking of food items like sliced tomatoes during the baking process.

  • - Microplane Grater: For adding fresh herbs such as basil or garlic to your baked tomato dish, providing a fine grating option that preserves flavor without altering texture significantly.

  • - Digital Instant-Read Thermometer: Essential for ensuring your baked tomatoes reach the desired temperature for safe consumption and optimal taste, preventing undercooking or overcooking.

  • - Chef's Knife (Stainless Steel): A versatile kitchen tool for chopping vegetables, including tomatoes, into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking during baking.

  • - Silicone Baking Mat: Provides a non-stick surface on your baking sheet and helps distribute heat evenly when roasting or baking dishes in the oven.

  • - Kitchen Timer (Digital): Precise timing is key to achieving perfectly baked tomatoes, avoiding both undercooking and burning; this timer ensures accuracy every time it's used.

  • - Measuring Spoons Set: For precise measuring of ingredients like spices and herbs that go into your baked tomato recipes, ensuring the flavors are balanced as intended.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 loaf Italian bread (about 8 ounces)

  • 5 to 6 sprigs flat-leaf Italian parsley

  • 1 medium clove garlic

  • 1 tablespoon capers

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, or more as needed

  • 2 large tomatoes or 4 small ones

Instructions

1

Instruction 1

Preheat the oven to 250°F. Cut away and discard the crust from the loaf of bread and cut the loaf in half lengthwise. Bake for 5 minutes on each side. Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes.
2

Instruction 2

Raise the oven temperature to 350°F on convection heat or to 375°F in an oven without convection heat.
3

Instruction 3

Cut the bread into chunks small enough to fit easily in a food processor. Place them in the food processor and pulse until you have fairly even crumbs that are not too fine. Set aside 1 cup of crumbs and reserve any extra for another use.
4

Instruction 4

Finely chop enough parsley leaves to measure about 2 tablespoons. Peel and finely chop the garlic. Put the parsley, garlic, bread crumbs, capers, salt, and olive oil in a mixing bowl. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly distributed and the bread crumbs are well coated with the olive oil. If there doesn't seem to be enough olive oil to coat them all, add a little more.
5

Instruction 5

Cut the tomatoes in half crosswise and scoop out all the seeds. Place the tomatoes, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Fill the cavities with a generous amount of the bread-crumb mixture, heaping it on top of each tomato half.
6

Instruction 6

Bake until a brown crust forms, about 20 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.
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