Tomatoes Stuffed with Rice

Cook Time: 30 min
Level: Intermediate
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

* 1 cup Arborio rice (or other short-grain white rice)
* 6 ripe but firm large tomatoes
* 4 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 1 garlic clove, minced
* 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Directions

Cook the rice in a medium saucepan of boiling salted water, stirring
periodically, until just cooked through, about 10 minutes. Drain.
Rinse the rice under cold running water. Set the rice aside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut a 1/2-inch thick slice off the top of each tomato; reserve the
tomato tops. Cut and scoop the seeds, pulp, and juice from each tomato
into a small bowl. Reserve 1/4 cup of the tomato juice and pulp.

Oil the bottom of an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons of the
olive oil. Place the hollowed tomatoes in the prepared dish.

Toss the rice with the reserved tomato juice and pulp. Add garlic,
basil, parsley, Parmesan, the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil,
and salt and pepper, to taste. Combine well.

Spoon the rice mixture into the hollowed tomatoes, mounding slightly.
Sprinkle leftover stuffing on the bottom of the pan. Drizzle entire
dish with olive oil. Place the reserved tomato slices atop the
tomatoes. Bake until the rice is heated through, about 20 minutes.
Serve hot or at room temperature.

From: foodnetwork.com