Guangxi-style Stuffed Tomatoes

Ingredients

In the original Turkish dish, domates dolmasi, the tomatoes are typically stuffed with a mixture of rice, ground meat, herbs, and spices. However, in this Guangxi-style adaptation, we replace the rice with minced pork and add mushrooms to enhance the umami flavors. Additionally, we incorporate Guangxi-specific spices and cooking techniques to infuse the dish with the unique taste of the region. We alse have the original recipe for Domates dolmasi, so you can check it out.

• 6 large tomatoes 6 large tomatoes
• 250g minced pork 250g minced pork
• 100g mushrooms, finely chopped 100g mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon five-spice powder 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 5g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the steamer.
2. 2.
   Cut off the tops of the tomatoes and carefully scoop out the pulp and seeds, leaving a hollow shell. Reserve the pulp for later use.
3. 3.
   In a pan, heat some oil and sauté the onions and garlic until translucent.
4. 4.
   Add the minced pork and cook until browned.
5. 5.
   Add the mushrooms and the reserved tomato pulp. Cook for a few minutes until the mushrooms are tender.
6. 6.
   Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, ginger, five-spice powder, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
7. 7.
   Fill each tomato with the pork and mushroom mixture, pressing it down gently.
8. 8.
   Place the stuffed tomatoes in the steamer and steam for about 20 minutes, or until the tomatoes are tender.
9. 9.
   Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Minced pork — Make sure to use lean minced pork for a healthier option. If desired, you can substitute it with minced chicken or beef.
• Mushrooms — Choose fresh mushrooms such as shiitake or button mushrooms for the best flavor and texture.
• Five-spice powder — If you don't have five-spice powder, you can make your own by combining equal parts ground cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavors, marinate the minced pork with soy sauce and ginger for 30 minutes before cooking.
• For a spicier kick, add a small amount of chili paste or chili flakes to the filling mixture.
• Serve the stuffed tomatoes with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavors to your liking.
• Leftover stuffed tomatoes can be refrigerated and enjoyed cold as a refreshing snack.

Serving advice

Serve the Guangxi-style Stuffed Tomatoes as a main course accompanied by steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness and color.

Presentation advice

Arrange the stuffed tomatoes on a platter, garnish with sprigs of fresh cilantro, and drizzle with a little sesame oil for an elegant presentation. The vibrant red of the tomatoes and the aromatic filling will make this dish visually appealing.