cherry tomato recipe with fresh basil

16 years ago

Here's what I did last night with some of my many, many cherry tomatoes:

Melt 1 Tablespoon butter in small pot (with lid). Add 1/2 cup orzo (rice shaped pasta). Saute orzo in butter until it starts to turn light brown. Add one can chicken broth, bring to a boil, and bring down to simmer. Simmer covered, 6 minutes, add 10 to 15 cherry tomatoes, and cover again. Continue cooking another 9 minutes, checking to be sure there is sufficient moisture, and smashing down the tomatoes a bit. (if dry, add a bit of water to the pot)

When mixture is finished, it should be 'loose' and not dry like rice. Remove from heat, place mixture in bowl. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Add 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil, and 1/2 cup fresh grated locatelli or parmesan cheese. Mix well and serve. (2 side servings or one main course)

This is delicious, and the tomatoes add a bit of sweetness to the orzo. I have also done this and have added fresh green peas to the mixture.

Love those fresh tomatoes and basil this time of year!

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Comments (6)

carmellia
16 years ago
Thanks for the recipe. My cherry tomatoes are late this year (due to very hot, very dry summer I'm sure). Last night is the first time I've picked more than 5 at a time. I got a sandwich bag full last night.

You mention that you like fresh basil. Here is what I have always done when my cherry tomatoes start coming in like gangbusters.

Cut cherry tomatoes in half, roll up basil leaves and juliene, crumble some feta cheese, toss everthing with a bit of olive oil in which you have allowed a crushed clove of garlic to marinate for at least a few hours, grind black pepper on top to taste. I don't add salt to this, but taste to see what you think. I find the feta to add enough saltiness for me. The salad can be eaten right away, but it is best when it has been able to meld for an hour or so. With some warm, crusty italian bread, I could eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Carmellia

Ooops, P.S. The reason I am visiting this forum is because I want to make some V-8 juice this year. Do you ever juice your tomatoes? Have a recipe you would share?
cearab
Original Author
16 years ago
Your recipe sounds good as well; and I love the feta. Sorry, I do not have a recipe for V-8.
I did see a chef on tv last week making a homemade sauce by sauteeing the cherry toms in some good olive oil, till they burst. Added some salt, pepper and fresh basil. The tomatoes had a roasted taste, he said. I may try that next. My cherrys are late as well. And, my entire tomato crop is not as big this year as last. Oh well, I'll have to enjoy what I've got. The basil is huge. I planted a 6 pack and every plant lived, for once. I've got a ton of basil here!
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bart1
16 years ago
Please keep the cherry tomato recipies coming! I'm up to my ears in cherrys!!

Thanks,
Bart
cearab
Original Author
16 years ago
Bart: Here's a really lazy thing to do with them:
buy some whipped cream cheese and bring to room temperature. Mix in some Hidden Valley Ranch (dry packet) dressing to your taste.
Slice the top off of your cherries, squeeze out the liquid. Spoon in some of the cream cheese mixture with a knife, or pastry bag fitted with a tip if you want them to look really nice. Quick, cheap appetizer.
And I will post back some more recipes. I'm looking for them as well.
cearab
Original Author
16 years ago
here's a link to food tv with some interesting recipes using cherry tomatoes. I think I will try roasting some in a slow oven as I did a few years ago. Just EVOO, salt, pepper, and balsamic in a 250 oven for 2 hours. They were great, and froze well. Epicurious.com has some good recipes for cherry tomatoes as well.
http://web.foodnetwork.com/food/web/searchResults?searchString=cherry+tomatoes&site=food&gosearch=&searchType=Recipe
cearab
Original Author
16 years ago
found another recipe for a steak with a cherry tomato vinegarette on chowhound. This does sound good.
http://www.chow.com/recipes/10373

cherry tomato recipe with fresh basil

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carmellia

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cherry tomato recipe with fresh basil

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carmellia

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