Herb Stuffed Tomatoes

INGREDIENTS:

5 beefsteak tomatoes

1 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves

¾ cup Italian-style bread crumbs

1 cup grated provolone

2 cloves garlic, minced

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

1.Preheat the oven to 375 and spray a baking dish with cooking spray.

2.Cut the tomatoes in half, horizontally. Use a small spoon to gently hollow out the inside of the tomatoes, discarding the seeds and reserving the pulp and being careful not to puncture the outer shell. Chop the reserved pulp and put it in a medium bowl. Add the parsley, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic and pepper and mix gently to combine. Place the tomato halves in a baking dish, and fill with the bread crumb mixture. Drizzle the top of the tomatoes with olive oil.

3.Bake until the tops are browned, about 20 minuites.

*Cook’s note: this is also very good with fresh parmesan cheese instead of provolone. And a little bit of crushed red pepper adds a nice kick too.