Pine Nut Stuffed Basil Tomatoes Recipes

SUN-DRIED TOMATO, PINE NUTS AND BASIL STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Cut a deep horizontal pocket in the side of each chicken breast. Make the pocket as large as you can without piercing the top or bottom of the breast. Rub pepper & salt over the breasts. Place 2 slices of tomato 1 teaspoon pine nuts and about 4 basil leaves in the pocket of each chicken breast. Secure the pocket with toothpicks threading along the side to close. Heat the oil in a heavy oven-proof skillet until it begins to smoke. Cook each side of the chicken until golden brown.
• Add the vinegar and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and gently simmer the chicken for 2 or 3 minutes per side until cooked through.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and keep in a warm oven or under a foil tent. Continue to cook the sauce until it is reduced to a thick syrup.
• Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce over each chicken breast. Garnish with fresh basil.

PINE NUT STUFFED BASIL TOMATOES

Steps:

• Prepare rice; set aside.
• Toast pine nuts, dry, in a pan over medium heat, shaking the pan gently as they brown. The natural oil content in the nuts will make toasting a quick process (about 3 minutes).
• Alternatively, you can toast them on a baking sheet in a pre-heated 325 degree oven until just golden (about 2-3 minutes).
• NOTE: Pine nuts can burn very easily, with about 15 seconds between "perfect" and "burned" so the best way to toast is on the stove, keeping your eyes on them the whole time.
• Toss the pine nuts, basil, and olive oil with the brown rice. Add salt and pepper to the mixture (to taste).
• Cut off and discard the tops of the tomatoes.
• Remove the tomato pulp and seeds.
• Fill each tomato with the rice mixture.
• Serve warm or chilled (I like them warm!).

SAUTEED CHERRY TOMATOES WITH PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.
• Add garlic and tomatoes and saute until tomatoes are just heated through, stirring occasionally about 5 minutes.
• Add toasted pine nuts, basil and vinegars, stir 1 minute.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer tomato mixture to shallow platter.
• Garnish with fresh basil sprig and serve.