BLT Stuffed Tomatoes

[ajrsmom]

8 medium ripe tomatoes
1/2 lb. sliced bacon; cooked, crumbled
1/4 head iceberg lettuce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 Tbsp. mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
1/2 tsp. vinegar
1/8 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
Dash liquid hot-pepper

With a serrated steak knife, slice tops off tomatoes. Reserve tops. Using a small spoon, scoop out flesh and seeds from centers, reserving about 1/2 cup flesh. Rinse out tomato shells. Let dry upside down on paper towel.

Chop reserved tomato flesh. Thinly slice lettuce into fine shreds. Mix lettuce with reserved chopped tomato flesh,shredded cheddar cheese, mayo, vinegar, Old Bay seasoning, hot-pepper sauce and crumbled bacon. Stir until well blended. Place tomatoes upright on platter. Spoon filling into tomatoes, mounding slightly. Replace tomato tops. Serve immediately.



Note: 133 calories, 10 gr fat, 5 gr protein, 6 gr carbo"

[dawny75]

Sounds delicious. What's Old Bay seasoning? And if I can't find it in my area, what's a good subsitute?

Dawny

[ajrsmom]

This question made me think......;-)

After some searching, heres what I came up with for ya.....



Often Old Bay is found in the seafood section or with the gourmet spices. Here is a link to what the package looks like---

http://www.marylanddelivered.com/seasonings.htm


Here is a recipe for making your own if you can find it---

Old Bay Seasoning

1 tbsp. celery seeds
1 tbsp. black peppercorns
6 bay leaves
1/2 tsp. whole cardamom
1/2 tsp. whole mustard seeds
4 whole cloves
1 tsp. sweet Hungarian paprika
1/4 tsp. ground mace

Grind all the ingredients.


And lastly......"Old Bay is a seafood seasoning powder, also sometimes called "crab boil spice". You can substitute the Zatarain's brand. Or, if you can't find that, you could use Chef Paul Prudhomme's seafood seasoning spice blend, or any other "Cajun" style seafood spice blend."


I can find it at most any regular grocery store in our area. They either have it on the seafood counter or in the spices area of the store.

I havent made this recipe yet--in fact, Id forgotten about it but Im going to print it out now and try it. Let me if you like it.


Tami

[dawny75]

Thanks, I've seen crab boil spice in the seafood department, just never heard the term Old Bay Seasoning. Must have a different brand around here! Seems like an odd thing to put in a BLT salad, but I'll give it a try! Dawny

[ajrsmom]

Hi Dawny

I agree with you....this is a strange thing to add to this recipe. I guess theyve added it for a little more flavor. I think when I make it though, I will just leave it out. After all, when you eat a BLT, its not in there LOL! You could really use any spice subs that you want.

Old Bay seasoning is kind of expensive too to buy for just that small amt.

JMHO