CHAR GRILLED STUFFED TOMATOES

A diabetic myself, I am been recommended to add more of vegetables, proteins in my diet. Being overweight always, I am on a mission to shed few extra kilos at least. I want to incorporate more of vegetables in my diet. In this scenario, I literally have to hunt for more vegetarian recipes that we can enjoy as a family. Yesterday, I tried this recipe of Char Grilled Tomatoes.

Tomato is health loaded. I enjoy tomato pieces sprinkled with some salt & pepper. It is a rich source of vitamins A and C, folic acid. It contains essential nutrients our body need. It's beneficial properties makes it a must have in our everyday diet [wiki]. I love this red, juicy, shiny fruit in salads, curries, chutneys. It enhances the taste and colour of any curry.

Yesterday was a no rice day for me, I was exploring the internet for an alternative that can fill my stomach. I saw many a recipes of grilled and baked tomatoes, bell peppers, I modified one as per the ingredients available in my kitchen. Of late, I have developed a taste and liking for vegetarian food, may be for having too much of non-veg since childhood. I love paneer [Indian/South Asian Cottage Cheese], hence thought of using it as a filling to stuff the tomatoes and grill them. In much less time, a healthy dish was made with no compromise with taste.

INGREDIENTS :

Red Tomato : 4
Red Bell Pepper : 1
Capsicum : 1
Onion : 1
Green Peas : 2 tbsp
Green Chilli : 2
Paneer[Indian Cottage Cheese] : 100 gm
Salt : As required
Black Pepper[crushed] : 1tsp
Oil : 2tbsp + 1tbsp [I used Olive Oil]

METHOD :

Wash the tomatoes, wipe and cut from the top. Take out the pulp and the seeds. Drizzle the tomatoes with salt and oil. Get a smooth paste of the pulp in a blender.

Wash and cut into cubes the green and red bell peppers, onions. Wash and chop the green chillies. Crumble the paneer.

Heat 2tbsp oil in a wok. Add the onions. Saute until translucent. Add the tomato pulp paste, fry till the raw smell goes away. Add the red and green bell peppers, chopped onions and the green peas.

Add salt n pepper. Saute for 3-4 minutes, add the crumbled paneer. Stir for another 2-3 minutes at medium to low heat. Its done. Let cool.

Stuff each tomatoes with the paneer filling. Place on an oven proof tray. Grill for 8-10 minutes. You can add few drops of lemon juice at this stage. Enjoy!