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Cheesy Stuffed Tomatoes

Heirloom beefsteak tomatoes in a baking dish tomatoes sliced in half stuffed with oozing cheese with the tops placed off...
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Aneta Florczyk, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou

You don’t have to use mozzarella; other fresh cheeses like ricotta, goat, or feta will work, though you might miss that stretchy molten-cheese effect.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

1/4 cup raw pistachios
4 large heirloom tomatoes (about 2 1/2 lb.)
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1 garlic clove, finely grated
2 Tbsp. chopped golden raisins
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 Tbsp. chopped thyme, plus 6 sprigs
8 oz. fresh mozzarella

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 5–8 minutes. Let cool, then finely chop. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

    Step 2

    Slice about 1/2" off the top of each tomato; reserve tops. Using a spoon, scoop out the center of each tomato (save for making sauce). Season insides of tomatoes with salt and pepper. Transfer to a baking dish large enough to hold tomatoes (they can be snug).

    Step 3

    Mix pistachios, garlic, raisins, 1/4 cup oil, and 1 Tbsp. thyme in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Place about 1 Tbsp. filling in each tomato. Tear mozzarella into bite-size pieces and snuggle into tomatoes. Top with remaining filling (you may need to gently press filling down with your fingers).

    Step 4

    Replace tomato tops; drizzle with oil. Scatter thyme sprigs over and bake, uncovered, until tomatoes release some liquid and begin to get a little wrinkly on top, 35–45 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

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