Description
Tomatoes Rockefeller is a delightful twist on the classic oyster Rockefeller, featuring bite-sized Campari tomatoes filled with a creamy, savory spinach and cheese mixture. Baked to perfection, these appetizers are perfect for dinner parties as elegant plated starters or passed hors d'oeuvres.
Ingredients
Spinach Filling
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste (about ¼ teaspoon each)
- 10 ounces fresh spinach
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded (plus extra for topping)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- ½ cup green onions, chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Tomatoes
- 36 small tomatoes (Campari size, about ping pong ball-sized)
Instructions
- Sauté Spinach and Garlic: In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add minced garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh spinach. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the spinach is just wilted. If there is excess liquid in the pan, drain most of it off to avoid sogginess.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream, shredded Parmesan cheese, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into the spinach mixture, allowing the cheese to melt and combine thoroughly.
- Combine Filling Ingredients: Transfer the cooked spinach mixture to a large bowl. Add the lightly beaten eggs, bread crumbs, chopped green onions, dried basil, dried oregano, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Prepare Tomatoes: Slice off the tops of each tomato and carefully scoop out the insides using a spoon, creating small hollow cups for filling.
- Fill Tomatoes: Spoon the spinach mixture into each hollowed tomato, filling them generously. Sprinkle a little extra Parmesan cheese on top of each filled tomato for added flavor and browning.
- Bake: Place the filled tomatoes into a mini muffin tin to keep them upright. Bake uncovered in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are nicely browned and the filling is set.
Notes
- Use small tomatoes like Campari for bite-sized appetizers that hold the filling well.
- If spinach releases too much water during cooking, be sure to drain to prevent sogginess in the filling.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to taste preference.
- Mini muffin tins help keep tomatoes stable during baking and create uniform shapes.
- Serve warm for best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
