Fast Tomatoes With Basil and Balsamic

Chef floWer's Note:

If you love tomatoes like I do, then you may enjoy this recipe. It's a quick side dish/plate filler that doesn't have too many ingredients, it's healthy and tastes nice. Original recipe calls for Roma and Plum tomatoes but I use what is in season. This recipe comes from a book called "Purely Golden Door" by The Golden Door Health Retreats.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 6 roma tomatoes or 6 plum tomatoes, halved
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper, freshly cracked (to taste)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven at 180oC/350oF/Gas 4.
2. Place tomatoes on oven tray with the cut side facing down.
3. Dash over the balsamic vinegar, basil, salt, black pepper to taste.
4. Bake for about 15 minutes for semi firm (still holding shape) and 30 minutes for well done (extra soft).

Reviews

[mummamills]

I had some hard "bullet" tomatoes, and this really made them tasty! I cut them in half, salt and peppered, then put them cut side down in a frypan with a little butter. I added the balsamic, then slid them on top of the fresh basil and put them in the oven. I baked them slowly for about an hour, (the men were late :) wonderful side dish with bacon and eggs! Aussie swap May2010

[Jen T]

I just have to agree with my fellow chefs. This is an excellent fast healthy side dish. A real keeper.
Made for Aus/NZ swap December 2011

[Crafty Lady 13]

It doesn't get any easier than this. I made this as a side dish at my in-law's house because they love tomatoes as much as I do. We had these tomatoes along with some grilled chicken, asparagus and scalloped potatoes. Everyone loved these tomatoes. We baked them for 18 minutes and they were still a little firm, which we thought was just the right texture. The balsamic vinegar, basil and seasonings were the perfect blend with the tomatoes. We like balsamic vinegar so we used a bit more than the 1 tablespoon called for in the recipe. This recipe is so fast and easy that I will be using it often. Thanks for another great recipe, Chef floWer. Made for October 2011 Aus/NZ Swap.