May 27, 2009

Pomodori al Riso recipe

Today I'm posting an Italian summer standard: rice-stuffed tomatoes. This is a refreshing and portable summer dish, perfect for a tasty picnic on the beach.


For it you'll need: 

8 medium heirloom tomatoes
150 g (7/8 cup) Carnaroli or Arborio rice
1 bunch of fresh basil
1 pinch of dried oregano
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 large potatos, peeled and cut into small wedges
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven at 200° C (390° F).

Cut off the stalks at the top end of the tomatoes without discarding, you'll need them later. Spoon out the pulp and seeds and save. Place the empty tomatoes in a greased pan, cavity up, seasoning each with a pinch of salt.

In a mixing bowl, add a fistful of rice per each tomato, minced garlic, oregano and coarsley torn basil leaves. Dress with oil, season with a dash of freshly ground black pepper, and mix.

Put the tomato pulp through a food mill and fold in half of it in the rice mix. Fill the scooped out tomato shells to the brim with the dressed rice and top with the saved stalks, and pour over them the remaining tomato sauce and a little more oil. Scatter the potato wedges among the tomatoes, and season them with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven for 40 minutes or until the rice is no longer al dente, but soft.

Done. Go pack the cooler with the chilled wine and the fruit salad.

23 comments:

  1. Oh, yum!!!! This is especially perfect for me as I'm vegetarian!!!! Can't wait to try it out!!!! What a fabulous post!!! ~Janine XO

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  2. Yum! Yum! indeed! Wish I lived just down the road!
    I am very pleased to inform you, Lola, that I have awarded you with The Premios Dardo Literary Award.
    The ceremony is this evening and you are most welcome to come and carry this trophy back with you to Rome. In exchange please bring some of this lovely grub - I am starving!! ~ Eddie

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  3. We can't buy heirloom tomatoes in the grocery stores here. If you manage to find some at a farmer's market come the end of July into August you would be so excited you would never cook them but bury your face in their fresh goodness and gobble them up raw. Sigh.

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  4. Oh so perfect! I'd fight somebody for those crispy edged potatoes.
    Catherine

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  5. I can't take my eyes off those wonderful potatoes on the side. Yumm,yumm.

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  6. Yum Lola , What time is dinner? Yes some Vino!!

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  7. Mmmmm, I can't wait till summer's tomatoes come into my life...and my mouth.

    I agree with Catherine about those taters. My nonna made the best roasted potatoes. They were golden and crispy with centers that melted in your mouth.

    How'd she do that? I've never been able to accomplish it.

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  8. (smiles) summer is upon us, and that smells great. In on the potatoes on the side as well. looks yum.

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  9. Lola: I love this; it sounds completely easy--that you bake the rice right in the tomato. I'm definitely trying this one.

    (smacking lips sounds)

    xo

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  10. This looks divine! i love your gorgeous blog, just been catching up again - so much to read! x

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  11. You always make it sound so easy Lola.

    This one sounds so divine I am definitely going to make it this weekend.

    Thanks : )

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  12. So easy and so yummy! Thanks darling girl.xx♥

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  13. This is an interesting variation on using rice, must try this out.

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  14. Not one of my favourite dishes, but I liked the picture. Ciao

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  15. I don't know what looks more tempting, the tomato or the potatoes! This is another one I'm definitely going to try.
    :0)
    Beautiful photo,too!
    Angela

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  16. Thank you all for your comments, I'm glad you enjoyed the potatoes. This dish cannot be considered complete without them. Buon appetito!

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  17. Hey, I can even handle making this one. I could handle the nice glass of wine, too.

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  18. Ironically, the last time I had this was in Rome! Thanks for the reminder - it was a lovely evening on a terrace, accompanied by a great salad, some fresh fruit and some wonderful wine and good company. I will definitely be making this recipe.

    Grazie!

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  19. Lola I love you comment and will have to do it.

    This looks so delicious, especially the potatoes.

    Now get ready for a laugh. You are going to think I am a nut.

    Okay, I'm just clearing my throat, but every time I see your picture I dream of you being Nathan's wife. Can you imagine, I always think how lucky he would be married to someone like you.

    Of course he is only 26 and not ready to get married but I keep thinking and have said to Angelique and Nadalene now if only there was a woman like Lola.

    Love Renee xoxoxo

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  20. Lola I forgot to ask you for your home mailing address. Would that be okay. If so you can put it on my blog and I won't post the comment but I will get the address.

    Don't worry I won't send Nathan by mail.

    Love Renee xoxoxo

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  21. Now that's why I bought those tomatoes at the Farmers' Markets this am

    thanks Lola
    Happy Days

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  22. Okay, Lola. Tonight's the night I'm making this. Even Little Miss Picky Eater said something to the effect of "Yum" when I told her what we were having. Stay tuned. I'll report back!

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  23. Okay, back with the report. It was delicious. Everyone loved it, especially moi. In addition to how good it was, it was a pleasure to make because it's such a well-designed recipe. I love that the rice cooks in the tomato.

    And I have a leftover tomato for tomorrow. Nobody else gets it. Mine.

    Thank you, dear L! ♥

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