Stuffed Tomatoes

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Stuffed Tomatoes

Description

Cooked with water or broth, amaranth releases a starch that creates a "sauce" similar to grits. It makes an excellent stuffing for a variety of vegetables, particularly when combined with the sweet flavoring of Raisins and pine nuts.

Ingredients

• 1 tbl vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 x clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup amaranth
• 1 cup vegetable stock or broth
• 1 tsp butter or soy margarine
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
• 1 cup hot salsa
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup golden raisins
• ½ cup pine nuts, toasted
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 6 large ripe tomatoes or 8 medium
• plain yogurt and cilantro sprigs, for garnish

Procedures

1. In medium-size saucepan, heat oil over medium hear.
2. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 3 minutes.
3. Add amaranth and stir well.
4. Add stock and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until amaranth grain is tender and water is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
5. Remove pan from heat and stir in butter until melted.
6. Stir in cilantro, salsa, cinnamon, Raisins, pine nuts, salt and pepper.
7. Preheat oven to 375 °F.
8. From each tomato, cut a thick slice from end opposite stem and discard.
9. Using a teaspoon, scoop our seeds and core; discard.
10. Arrange tomato shells in baking dish.
11. Spoon amaranth mixture into tomato shells.
12. Bake until tomatoes are soft but still retain their shape, 25 to 30 minutes.
13. Serve warm topped with yogurt and cilantro if desired.