Herbed Goat Cheese Stuffed Tomatoes

I love a good, simple appetizer for spring and summer parties. When people are coming over in the warm weather you don’t want to spend a lot of time pulling together heavy cheese dips or anything that needs to be served hot. These Herbed Cheese Stuffed Tomatoes totally fit the bill when it comes to having an appetizer that’s easy to pull together and tastes incredible. Naturally, these are inspired by the gardens of the Mediterranean where fresh tomatoes and herbs are found everywhere. 

I don’t grow tomatoes at my house because I’ve had mixed results over the years. However, I make sure to procure the freshest possible ones from the farmer’s market, these always taste the best. I do have pots of fresh herbs growing at my house so I use those to add to the goat cheese. You can also use feta in a pinch if you don’t have goat cheese on hand. Both are soft and tangy and will taste delicious. 

If you’re prepping for a party feel free to make the herbed cheese in advance. You can easily store it in the fridge in plastic wrap to chill until you need it. Then, scoop out the tomatoes and stuff them with the herbed cheese when you’re ready to serve them. The cheese won’t melt as it’s passed around, but it definitely tastes better when it is still cool. I think this makes the whole appetizer a little more refreshing, which is really nice when it’s hot outside. 

When I’m crafting catering menus, or preparing to entertain at my own house, these bites are almost always featured in the summer months. The showcase all the lovely flavors of summer and are so easy to make and pass around. I very rarely have any leftovers! I hope you enjoy these lovely bites of sunshine as much as we do. Happy summer! 

Herbed Goat Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes 

These are a really nice finger food to serve at parties. I also like that they are quite simple to pull together! 

Ingredients: 

• 24 cherry tomatoes 

• 4 oz goat cheese, softened 

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil 

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives 

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 

• Salt and pepper to taste 

Instructions: 

1. Slice off the top of each cherry tomato and scoop out the seeds and pulp with a small spoon to create a hollow cavity. Place the hollowed-out tomatoes on a serving platter. 

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened goat cheese, chopped basil, chives, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. 

1. Using a small spoon or a piping bag, fill each hollowed-out cherry tomato with the herbed goat cheese mixture. 

1. Arrange the stuffed cherry tomatoes on a serving platter. 

1. Garnish with additional chopped herbs, if desired. 

1. Serve the herbed goat cheese stuffed cherry tomatoes at room temperature as a delightful spring appetizer. 

Nikki Glekas is the owner of Nikki Glekas Events, a full-service catering and events company located in Stamford, CT.. To discuss further please contact team@nikkiglekascollective.com or call 203.658.8659.