Appetizers With Tomatoes
Whether you are planning a party or creating a fun menu, tomatoes are a versatile food -- especially when it comes to appetizers. Appetizers with tomatoes can be simple and showcase the tomato itself, or be more elaborate recipes that require stuffings or tart shells.
Tomato and Cheese
A simple way to showcase any food is to keep it in its natural form, with just a few accents. Use whole cherry tomatoes or sliced Roma tomatoes and place them on a platter. Pair them with slices of mozzarella cheese or small mozzarella cheese balls. In the event you do not want to use mozzarella, pepper jack cheese slices or a sharp cheddar cheese will also pair well. The platter can be topped with fresh basil and olive oil, a drizzle of garlic infused oil or a few drops of balsamic vinegar for more of a bite.
Tarts
Serve tarts as a bite-size appetizer, or a slightly larger appetizer requiring forks. Tart shells can be made from pre-made biscuit dough or frozen tart shells. Fill tart shells with a mixture of freshly diced tomatoes, cream cheese or mayonnaise, basil, shredded cheese, onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Tart shells should be baked just before serving to prevent the shell from becoming soggy.
Stuffed Tomatoes
Stuffed tomatoes are a classic appetizer. They can be created as a small-bite appetizer with cherry tomatoes or a larger appetizer with full-size tomatoes. Slice each tomato in half and use a spoon or knife to remove the seeds and interior of each tomato. Fill each tomato with a mixture of cheddar cheese, cream cheese and seasonings. Top with breadcrumbs. Stuffed tomatoes should be baked until the filling is heated through and creamy, and the breadcrumb topping is crisp and crunchy. When filling cherry tomatoes, use a piping bag with a small round tip to pipe the filling into the tomato.
Sun-Dried Tomato Appetizers
A tomato does not have to be used in its fresh form to create a delectable appetizer. Sun-dried tomatoes can be used in a spread (store bought) on baked bread or crackers, or used to top fresh mozzarella on crackers or bread. Sun-dried tomatoes can be purchased pre-mixed with spices and olive oil, or dried and reconstituted with olive oil or water.
Tags: cherry tomatoes, each tomato, appetizer with, Appetizers With Tomatoes, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, larger appetizer