Last night, dinner was taking longer than planned, so I needed a quick appetizer that I could quickly put together to fend-off starvation. I had some cherry tomatoes on hand, as well as some frozen vegan pesto, so I decided to combine the two.
I originally thought of slicing the tomatoes in two and placing the pesto on top, but then decided to use the tomatoes as little cups.
First, I had to get the little guys to stand still. They were rolling all over the place, and that would be a disaster once filled with delicious pesto! I used a sharp pairing knife to remove a small piece of flesh from the bottom of each of the tomatoes, to flatten them out and make them sit upright. I then cut the top and hollowed-out the first half of each tomato. This takes a little while, but if you have a pointy sharp knife, it should be fairly easy.
From there, I defrosted 1 cube of pesto in the microwave for 30 seconds, and mashed it up with an equal part of firm tofu. I decided to mix the tofu in there, because I felt that the pesto would be too pungent on its own.
1 cube of frozen pesto (with tofu) made about 10 cherry tomatoes worth of appetizers. I placed them on a long plate, and drizzled them lightly with basil-infused olive oil. The result was a cheerful appetizer that burst with the flavors of fresh tomatoes and fresh (frozen) pesto. Yum! I think next time, I may decorate each tomato with a lightly toasted pine-nut…
I called my mom up today to tell her about these, and she said that she used to fill cherry tomatoes with guacamole for dinner parties years ago. Although I don’t specifically remember her doing that, I guess I must have remembered this little trick subconsciously. I like the idea of using avocado as a filling, especially for the summer. I ended-up doing a bit of research after our call and came across this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens for avocado pesto-stuffed tomatoes, which combines both our ideas. I’ll definitely have to try that next time!
Anyway, I thought this was a cute little appetizer, and as you can see, the concept is pretty versatile so you can have fun and be creative with it. Enjoy!
This was lovely, I to am a vegan and look up to you, you are my idol. I never realised that tomatoes could be so damn interesting! The picture looks like spinach, which I hate, but actually its pesto, which i LOVE! Thanks again, I look forward to the guacamole, even though it is disgusting. 😀
Hi Vegbethany! Thanks for taking the time to write. You’re so sweet! Yes, tomatoes are super interesting & versatile. I have a lot of posts coming over the Easter long weekend… stay tuned! 🙂
Hey, long time no see! After a lapse in my veganism (KFC was calling), and am proud to say that I’m back on the vegan wagon! Just getting in touch as I can’t wait to hear what you have in stall for christmas. I find Xmas the hardest time of the year, what with all the yummy sausages in blankets, turkey, and stuffing. I wondered what fandabbydousy recipes you have come up with, as they are all so scrummy! I’m hoping that Santa will bring us all wonderful vegan recipes, as I have no imagination to come up with my own. I wish that quorn didn’t taste like Berlesconis rubbery testicles. Thanks again, your brilliant recipes have helped me so much!
Ha ha you’re funny! Sorry for dropping off the past month, as I wrote in my latest post, I had to focus on my upcoming trip instead… I hope you managed to find some good vegan holiday recipes. My tofu pot pie is one of my Dave holiday meals. Good luck on going vegan again – you can do it!!
We have to stop MEATing like this!! I tried your Tofu Pot Pie, it actually led to a foodgasm….maaahhh! I can not thank you enough for your generosity and your inspirational recipe ideas. It has really helped me to shape the person that I am today (obese). Your fantasic recipes have made my IBS difficult to manage, but it is bloody worth the mess!!! Unfortunatly my vegan ways must come to a pityful end. Due to my severe IBS, vegan food causes a rumble in ma belleh. I can still occasionally enjoy your recipes, but for now, I bid farewell to VegBethany, and hello to MeatyBethany. And a cheaper laundry bill!
Wow, that’s a lot of info! I’m surprised to hear that meat is better for IBS. I would have thought the opposite…
Delicious little gems. Love this!
Thanks Jennifer. I’m going to try with guacamole next time… I’m a big fan, as I believe you are too? 🙂
simple, and good. we keep our pesto frozen and break it out as needed. this would be a lighting fast snack!
Exactly! If you have pesto already made, it’s so easy… yet looks fancy if you’re in a pinch. Thanks for your comment!