Recipe: Merry Tomatoes π
Description: This delightful appetizer, known as Merry Tomatoes, is a cherished recipe sourced from a Charleston Junior League cookbook. Perfect for any festive occasion, it’s a beloved addition to the buffet at my Christmas party, always garnering rave reviews. Imagine the flavors of a classic bloody mary, but in a fresh and vibrant tomato form. The cook time includes the essential marination period, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify, resulting in a truly tantalizing treat.
- Cook Time: 6 hours (marination)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 20
- Calories: 30.3 per serving
- Recipe Category: Vegetable
- Keywords: Weeknight, For Large Groups, Easy
Ingredients:
- 30-40 cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pierce the cherry tomatoes several times on the top (stem side) using a toothpick or fork. This helps the flavors penetrate the tomatoes effectively. |
| 2 | Arrange the pierced tomatoes in a serving dish or bowl, ensuring they are evenly spaced and can be easily accessed by your guests. |
| 3 | Carefully pour the vodka over the tomatoes, ensuring that each tomato is partially submerged in the liquid. Depending on the size of your serving bowl, you may need more than 1 cup of vodka. Allow the tomatoes to marinate in the vodka for a minimum of 6 hours, allowing the flavors to infuse and develop. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect balance of flavors. |
| 4 | In a small bowl, combine the celery salt and lemon pepper seasoning, mixing them well to ensure an even distribution of flavors. This seasoning mixture adds a burst of zesty and savory notes to the merry tomatoes. |
| 5 | Place the bowl of seasoning next to the bowl of marinated tomatoes, along with a small container of toothpicks, allowing your guests to easily spear a tomato and then dip it into the flavorful seasoning mixture. This interactive serving style adds an element of fun and engagement to your gathering. |
| 6 | Encourage your guests to spear a marinated tomato with a toothpick and then dip it generously into the tantalizing seasoning mixture, ensuring they experience the full burst of flavors with each bite. |
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 30.3
- Fat Content: 0.1g
- Saturated Fat Content: 0g
- Cholesterol Content: 0mg
- Sodium Content: 1.4mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 1g
- Fiber Content: 0.3g
- Sugar Content: 0.7g
- Protein Content: 0.2g
Tips:
- For a refreshing twist, try using flavored vodka such as citrus or pepper-infused varieties to add an extra layer of complexity to the marinade.
- Garnish your serving dish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil to enhance the presentation and add a pop of color.
- Serve these merry tomatoes alongside a selection of other appetizers for a diverse and satisfying spread that will impress your guests.
- Make sure to prepare extra toothpicks and seasoning mixture to accommodate refills throughout your gathering, ensuring everyone can enjoy this irresistible appetizer to their heart’s content.
Enjoy the merry tomatoes at your next celebration and watch as they become the star of the party, delighting your guests with their vibrant flavors and interactive serving style! ππ
