Stuffed Beefsteak Tomatoes
Ingredients
Ingredients for 5 stuffed tomatoes:
- 1lb 93% lean beef
- 5 beefsteak tomatoes (or large garden tomatoes)
- 6 oz tomato sauce, no salt
- 1 ½ cup cooked quinoa
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 1/4 cup reduced fat parmesan, grated
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Seasonings:
- Sea salt & pepper to taste
- pinch of cayenne pepper
Steps
Step 1
Set oven to 400F.
Step 2
Cook quinoa according to instructions given and set aside.
Step 3
Slice off the top part of each tomato (and feel free to reserve the tops as garnish). Scoop out the pulp and set it aside in a bowl.
Step 4
Set a nonstick skillet on medium high heat and add olive and garlic. Once the garlic cooks for about 2 minutes and slightly browns, toss in the onion and bell pepper. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 5
Add the ground beef to the skillet and chop and cook using a wooden spatula to get the meat as fine as possible. As the meat cooks, add the seasonings. When the meat is nearly 85% finished cooking, about 6 to 8 minutes, toss in the cooked quinoa, tomato pulp, tomato sauce and fresh basil.
Step 6
Reduce the heat of the skillet and mix everything to together for about 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from the heat.
Step 7
Set the hollowed-out tomatoes into a baking dish, then stuff each tomato with the mixture and top each one off with shredded parmesan cheese.
Step 8
Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
Step 9
Season to taste with sea salt & pepper.