Mediterranean tomatoes
The simplicity of certain foods and how to cook them to bring out their best flavour is one of my intense passions, and I say this as I truly believe that if we leave the background flavour alone, add only a few specific extras, we often get the best results.
Take for example our simple tomato, simply bake it with a touch of unique flavourings and oh my, the end result is delicious, and when eaten with chunks of homemade bread used to mop up the baking juices, the end result is a truly gastronomic experience. Its only a tomato I hear you say … but trust me, when cooked like this it can be so much more!
Enjoy as a main course but also good as an accompaniment to roasted meats and various other salads.
Ingredients
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6 large ruby red tomatoes- washed, stem removed and halved
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2 large cloves garlic- paper skin removed and chopped
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3 anchovy fillets- removed from oil and chopped
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Extra virgin olive oil- oodles
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Coarsely ground black pepper- plenty
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2 tbsp capers- drained
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Balsamic vinegar- approx 1 tbsp or more if preferred
Instructions
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Prepare tomatoes:
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01 Wash and clean. Cut each tomato in half.
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Assemble to bake:
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02 Lay each half of tomato into a lightly oiled baking dish. Dot over the top of each tomato pieces of garlic, anchovy and a few capers. Season with plenty of fresh coarsely ground black pepper.
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03 Now generously pour extra virgin olive oil over the tops of each tomato.
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04 Bake in the oven for a good 45 minutes until soft and the tomatoes lightly charred around the edges.
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05 Remove from the oven and splash all over the baked tomatoes the balsamic vinegar. Enjoy hot, warm or cold.
Notes
For the best flavour buy deep red tomatoes and as this recipe is really a main dish, the larger the tomatoes are the better. I have not included salt in this recipe as the anchovies provide that, however, if you feel they need a lift, sprinkle on sea salt after baking BUT probably best to do this as you are eating them, as you may not need this (anchovies are naturally salty!). When it comes to the quantity of olive oil used be generous.
