There is no substitute for a ripened tomato right off the vine. I’ve tried to grow my own several times with the result of one maybe two sad tomatoes on the vine and the deer help to harvest them while I slept. I have ran out of luck in the home grown tomato department so I just wait patiently for my neighbor Dale, who has a green thumb, to leave a few sweet and juicy tomatoes on my porch.

Tomatoes are out of season right now. However, I still love to eat tomatoes year-round, so I enhance the flavor, by adding a little twist with cheese and bread crumbs and roast them in the oven. I used store bought tomatoes for this recipe and I was completely satisfied with the results. If you love tomatoes, try this easy recipe as a side dish or in a salad.

Enjoy,

MJ

Ingredients:

3 to 6 Roma tomatoes
Gouda cheese
Salt
Freshly cracked pepper
Olive oil
Panko bread crumbs

Fresh basil leaves for garnish.

Directions:

Slice tomatoes length wise. Add salt and pepper to taste. Lay a slice of cheese on the tomato. Cover cheese with bread crumbs. Drizzle with olive oil. Place in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until bread crumbs or golden brown. Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the tomatoes for garnish.