Baked Tomatoes Stuffed with Apple Herb Rice

Serves 4 · 25 min prep · 30 min cook

Ingredients

• 4 large ripe tomatoes
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 medium diced small firm apple
• 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano

Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a baking dish just large enough to hold the tomatoes snugly.
2. 2Slice each tomato in half horizontally. Use a spoon to carefully scoop out the seeds and pulp, leaving sturdy shells about ½-inch thick. Reserve chopped pulp and discard excess seeds.
3. 3Sprinkle the inside of each tomato shell lightly with salt and place them cut-side down on a towel for 5 minutes to drain.
4. 4Meanwhile, warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
5. 5In a mixing bowl combine the cooked brown rice, sautéed onion and garlic, diced apple, reserved tomato pulp, parsley, mint, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, most of the feta, and half the pine nuts. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with another tablespoon of olive oil. Toss until everything is evenly mixed and bright.
6. 6Blot the tomato shells dry and arrange them cut-side up in the prepared baking dish. Spoon the apple-herb rice filling generously into each shell, mounding it slightly.
7. 7Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the stuffed tomatoes and sprinkle the rest of the feta on top.
8. 8Bake 25–30 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and beginning to collapse at the edges and the tops are lightly golden.
9. 9Remove from the oven and let rest 5 minutes. Scatter the remaining toasted pine nuts and any extra herbs over the top for crunch and freshness.
10. 10Serve two halves per person while still warm; the contrast of juicy tomato, sweet apple, and herby rice makes a complete satisfying plate.