Baked Tomatoes with Hazelnut Bread Crumbs

Name: Baked Tomatoes with Hazelnut Bread Crumbs
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 hr
Yield: Makes 8 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups coarse fresh bread crumbs (from country bread, preferably whole-wheat); 4 to 6 large beefsteak tomatoes (about 3 pounds total); 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped lemon thyme or regular thyme, divided; 1/2 stick unsalted butter; 1 cup hazelnuts, toasted , any loose skins rubbed off, cooled, and coarsely chopped

A topping of buttery whole-wheat bread crumbs and hazelnuts creates a toasty counterpoint to baked thick-sliced tomatoes. What prevents it from being too rich, though, is the accent of thyme—lemon thyme in particular. With its small green leaves edged in yellow, the herb is easy to spot at the farmers market. Still not sure? Take a sniff. Lemon thyme's brisk, citrusy scent is a real eye-opener.

By Ruth Cousineau

July 15, 2009

Image may contain Plant Food Produce and Vegetable

Baked Tomatoes with Hazelnut Bread CrumbsJohn Kernick

Cooks' note:

Bread crumbs and nuts can be toasted (but not cooked in butter) 1 day ahead and kept together in an airtight container at room temperature.

Recipe notes

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Crème Anglaise

The silky French vanilla sauce that goes with everything.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Vodka Gochujang Pasta

This pasta has some really big energy about it. It’s so extra, it’s the type of thing you should be eating in your bikini while drinking a magnum of rosé, not in Hebden Bridge (or wherever you live), but on a beach on Mykonos.

Okonomiyaki Tater Tots

Crispy tots topped with savory-sweet sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, scallion, and katsuobushi.