My kids aren't big fans of just eating plain vegetables. I have to get creative and jazz the vegetables up. My most recent creation was baked tomato slices. I never liked stewed tomatoes, so this was a great alternative. Best of all, the baked tomato slices seem to go with almost any main dish.
You will need the following items to make your baked tomatoes:
- 3 tomatoes
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch salt
- Pinch pepper
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Follow these steps to make your baked tomatoes:
Step 1:
Wash and slice the tomatoes so that they are ½ to ¾ inch thick. Discard the ends of each tomato. Lay them on a baking sheet.
Step 2:
Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over each tomato slice. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 3:
Mix shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese together in a small bowl. Drape over each of the tomato slices. I use orange cheddar cheese so that I have a mixture of colors, but it doesn't really matter which color you use.
Step 4:
Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 425 degrees F. Tomatoes should take about 12 minutes to cook, give or take a few minutes.
Step 5:
Serve hot along side your beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or pasta dish.
Tips:
You can substitute mozzarella cheese for the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese if you prefer.
Add bacon bits for even more flavor.
Warning:
You may want to make enough to have leftovers. Your family will probably be asking for more the next day—even the family members that don't generally like tomatoes!