Discover the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this exploration of traditional Greek stuffed tomatoes. This delectable dish, known as Gemista, is a delightful blend of fresh tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a tantalizing filling. As we delve into the culinary artistry of Gemista, you'll embark on a journey through the heart of Greek cuisine, where every bite offers a symphony of flavors that will captivate your taste buds. From selecting the perfect tomatoes to crafting the most flavorful filling, this article will provide you with all the essential knowledge and techniques to create an unforgettable Greek stuffed tomato dish that will transport you to the sun-kissed shores of Greece.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
YEMISTA (GREEK STUFFED TOMATOES AND PEPPERS)
Make and share this Yemista (Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by evelynathens
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 2h45m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Cut off tops of tomatoes (retain tops) and carefully scoop out flesh (retain this as well).
- Cut off tops of peppers (retain tops) and remove seeds and membrane.
- Place tomatoes and peppers in a pan large enough to hold them comfortably and give each veg a tiny dash of sugar with the tips of your fingertips (I really think this is important!).
- Take tomato flesh and process it until pureed.
- Add olive oil, rice, onion, garlic, mint, parsley, nuts, cheese, sultanas, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper (or season to taste).
- Stuff the vegetables evenly with this mixture.
- Replace tops of tomatoes and peppers.
- Combine 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup olive oil with a scant tablespoonful of tomato paste and a little salt and pepper and pour this around the veg.
- Bake in a preheated 375F oven (180C) for approx 1 3/4 hours (vegetables should pierce easily and be slightly blackened in parts).
- Turn off oven and leave in for another hour to'mellow' before serving.
- This is best served slightly warm or at room temperature.
- It is wonderful eaten along with little bites of feta cheese and a cool glass of white or rose.
- It will also have yummy juices begging to be mopped up with bits of crusty bread.
- In my version, I also take 3-4 medium-sized potatoes, cut them into big wedges, toss in a little olive oil with salt and pepper to taste, and'plant' in the spaces amidst the vegetables.
- That way you can have a couple of wedges of potato too.
GREEK STUFFED TOMATOES AND PEPPERS (YEMISTA)
This is my favorite! The best time to make it is in August when the garden tomatoes are ready for harvest. Hothouse tomatoes are just not the same. My mom made this every year, and when she did, I thought I died and went to heaven. Enjoy!
Provided by Denise Phillips Sarigianopoulo
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 1h45m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cut off tops of tomatoes, leaving 1 corner still attached to create a lid. Scoop insides of tomatoes and transfer 'meat' to a large bowl; squeeze juices out of tomatoes. Cut off tops of green peppers and reserve for later use; scoop out seeds and membranes. Arrange tomatoes and bell peppers in a 11x17-inch baking dish.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic in the melted butter until softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add ground chuck, soy sauce, seasoned salt, and black pepper to onion mixture; cook until ground chuck is browned and crumbly, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Mix squeezed tomato meat and water into browned chuck; bring to a simmer, about 15 minutes. Add rice and bring to a boil; remove skillet from heat. Spoon beef-rice mixture into tomatoes; place tops onto filled tomatoes and arrange them into the baking dish with lid sides down.
- Stuff bell peppers with beef-rice mixture and top with reserved lids; lay bell peppers sideways in the baking dish. Pour olive oil over stuffed tomatoes and bell peppers; season with salt and pepper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn bell peppers and continue baking until bell peppers and tomatoes are softened, about 30 more minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 347.9 calories, Carbohydrate 28.5 g, Cholesterol 44.5 mg, Fat 20.6 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 13 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 411.9 mg, Sugar 5.4 g
GREEK STUFFED TOMATOES
Stuffed tomatoes are ubiquitous in Greece. They're filled with rice and herbs, usually mint and dill, with a little shredded zucchini mixed in with the rice. I'm giving you the choice of bulgur or rice. If you can't tolerate gluten, use the rice; if you can and prefer a whole grain, use the bulgur.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, weekday, main course
Time 2h
Yield Serves six
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Prepare the tomatoes. With a sharp paring knife, cut out the tops of the tomatoes as you would a jack-o'-lantern, leaving them intact so that you can replace them when you bake the tomatoes. Cut away the woody core, and reserve the tops. Using a small spoon, preferably a grapefruit spoon, scoop out the insides of the tomatoes. Place a strainer over a bowl, and rub the seed pods against the strainer. Discard the seeds. Finely chop the pulp. Add to the bowl with the juice. Salt the tomato shells, place them upside down on a rack set on a baking sheet, and let drain while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
- Toss the shredded zucchini with a generous amount of salt, and let drain in a colander for 10 minutes. Take up handfuls of zucchini and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Transfer to the bowl with the tomato pulp. Add the garlic, mint, parsley or dill, and rice or bulgur. Season generously with salt and pepper. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a baking dish large enough to accommodate all of the tomatoes. Fill the tomatoes almost to the top with the stuffing, and replace the caps. Place in the oiled baking dish. Drizzle on the remaining oil. Place in the oven, and bake 45 minutes to an hour until the tomatoes are almost collapsing. Remove from the heat, and allow to cool to room temperature or serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 130, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 389 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams
GREEK STUFFED TOMATOES
All the ingredients of a Greek salad stuffed in a baked tomato shell. Serve with your favorite lamb dish, or as an appetizer.
Provided by Michael Foreman
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Tomatoes
Time 30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Slice tomatoes in half, scoop out seeds, and place in a baking dish sliced-side up. Sprinkle with and salt and pepper . Bake for 5 minutes. Remove tomatoes from oven, drizzle with olive oil, and bake an additional 10 minutes.
- While baking tomatoes, mix together cucumber, yogurt, olives, basil, and sugar. Stir in feta cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Remove tomatoes from oven, fill with cucumber mixture, and sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 225.4 calories, Carbohydrate 10.4 g, Cholesterol 34.3 mg, Fat 17.5 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 7.6 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 1037.1 mg, Sugar 6 g
YEMISTA (GREEK STUFFED TOMATOES & PEPPERS)
Categories Cheese Pepper Potato Tomato Vegetable Bake Vegetarian Kid-Friendly High Fiber Dinner Healthy
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Remove tops of tomatoes (retain tops) and carefully scoop out flesh (retain flesh of 2-3 tomatoes as well). Cut off tops of peppers (retain tops) and remove seeds and membrane. Place tomatoes and peppers in a greased pan, large enough to hold them comfortably, and give each vegetable a tiny dash of sugar with your fingertips. Process tomato flesh until pureed. Add 3/4 cup olive oil, rice, onion, shallot, garlic, mushrooms, mint, parsley, nuts, breadcrumbs, cheeses, salt, and pepper. Stuff the vegetables evenly with this mixture and replace tops of tomatoes and peppers. Toss potato slices in olive oil and salt and pepper. "Plant" in amongst the other vegetables. Combine 1 cup water and 1/2 cup olive oil with a scant tablespoon of tomato paste and a little salt and pepper and pour this around the vegetables and potatoes. Bake in a preheated 375 F oven for about 1 hour 45 min. (Vegetables should pierce easily and be slightly blackened in parts). Turn off oven and leave in for another hour to "mellow" before serving. Serve warm, with slices of feta cheese and crusty bread.
STUFFED GREEK TOMATOES
Make and share this Stuffed Greek Tomatoes recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Mikey Tucson
Categories Greek
Time 10m
Yield 8 appetizers
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cut flat ends on top and bottom of tomatoes and then cut tomatoes in half, then seed with spoon to keep shell intact.
- Add 1/2 tbsp onions, 1 olive, 1 tbsp feta to each half.
- Drizzle olive oil over each half.
- Add 1 slice of cucumber to each half.
- Rip an appropriately-sized piece of basil and place on top.
GREEK STUFFED TOMATOES
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°. Lightly grease a small baking dish and set aside. Slice the top off of each tomato and scoop out the flesh and seeds, leaving the tomato shell. Cook the rice in the microwave or on the stovetop according to the package directions. To the rice, add feta cheese, 1 tablespoon olive oil, oregano, crushed red pepper and lemon zest. Mix together gently. Stuff the tomatoes with the rice mixture and place in baking dish. Drizzle with remaining olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes, or until tomatoes have softened and tops are golden brown.
Tips for Making Greek Tomatoes:
- Choose ripe, flavorful tomatoes. This is essential for the best flavor.
- Use fresh herbs. Fresh herbs, such as oregano, basil, and thyme, will add a delicious flavor to the tomatoes.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients. You can add other vegetables to the tomatoes, such as onions, peppers, or zucchini.
- Cook the tomatoes low and slow. This will help them to develop a rich flavor.
- Serve Greek tomatoes with your favorite sides. They can be served as an appetizer, a side dish, or even a main course.
Conclusion:
Greek tomatoes are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal taste. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy appetizer or a hearty main course, Greek tomatoes are a great option. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting recipe, give Greek tomatoes a try. You won't be disappointed!
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