But HEY! Here I am. Again.
So I have neglected to go grocery shopping for some time now. Don't get me wrong, I love grocery shopping. More than one should enjoy grocery shopping, actually. But I have avoided the grocery store mostly because I am leaving for Jamaica soon for a six day vacation and when I buy groceries, I buy groceries. Like, I go all out. I can't just buy food to get me by for a few days...I stock up on copious amounts of fresh fruit and veggies, meats, and exotic sauces. Yes, sauces.
I love finding unique sauces that, at the time, you hold in your hand and say, "This looks like it could be good...but what would I do with it? Eh, I'll think of something." Usually after these impulse buys I will either A) immediately go home and start looking for recipes to use with it or B) put it away in my cupboard and forget about it for months/years until the day I decide to clean out said cupboard, find it, and say, "Why did I buy this? What would I even use this for?" I can't help it. Some people fall victim to the impulse buys in the checkout line, I prefer to do mine in the ethnic foods aisle.
As I paced around my kitchen today, searching for something I can scrape together for lunch, I realized I should probably do something with my plethora of tomatoes I happen to have on hand (fresh from my garden even). The wheels start turning. I then go in the cupboard that is home to my array of fancy sauces, and no, don't reach for a sauce...but the rice-a-roni. Yes, I realize this is not a new thing. You can find plenty of recipes for stuffed tomatoes/peppers/etc. But I decided to put a slight spin on it this time. It was delicious. So delicious, in fact, that I have decided to share it with you.
Below is the recipe for Mesquite Stuffed Tomatoes. Bon appetit!
What it takes
- 1 box (or 2 boxes if you're like me and love to eat rice-a-roni leftovers for the next few days) Rice-A-Roni of your choosing. I used chicken and broccoli flavor.
- Medium sized tomatoes
- Shredded parmesan
- Mesquite seasoning (or really any seasoning you desire)
Now, make it happen
Cook rice following directions on box. While cooking, scoop out the insides of each tomato. Eat the insides, don't let that good stuff go to waste. Dash some seasoning inside the tomatoes, be sure to coat the rim as well. Add shredded parmesan to coat the bottom of tomatos. Don't go overboard with the parmesan. You need to save room for the rice!! When rice is fully cooked, stuff inside tomatoes. Sprinkle the top with parmesan. Cook for 8-10 minutes at 350°.
TA DA!
