French-Style Stuffed Tomatoes (Tomates Farcies)

Known as “Tomates Farcies”, these French-style Stuffed Tomatoes are the perfect addition to any Summer table – and a personal childhood favorite of mine. This typical Provençal recipe calls for stuffing tomatoes with beef, bread, cheese and Herbs de Provence, and roasting them on a bed of rice until tender and slightly charred on top. Naturally, this dish is best made at the peak of tomato season, when they are juicy, sweet and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

6 medium, round tomatoes
salt, to taste
2-3 slices stale bread, cut into small cubes
¾ cup milk (2% m.f. or whole)
1 tbsp (15ml) extra virgin olive oil
1 lb (450g) ground beef
½ tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 medium onion, peeled and diced
1 large egg, at room temperature
2-3 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
1 tbsp of Herbs de Provence
2 tbsp (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp (30ml) extra Virgin Olive Oil
300 to 500g cooked rice (2 to 3 cups)