SPICED CREAM CHEESE & PROSCIUTTO CHERRY TOMATOES

Spiced Cream Cheese & Prosciutto Cherry Tomatoes image

Provided by Andy Anderson !

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 8

PLAN/PURCHASE
12-14 cherry tomatoes
2 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
1 oz prosciutto, finely chopped
1 pinch sweet paprika
1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
salt, kosher variety, to taste
black pepper, freshly ground, to taste

Steps:

1. PREP/PREPARE
2. Gather your ingredients.
3. Cut a small slice off the top of the tomatoes.
4. Scoop out the insides.
5. Chef's Note: Coring these small tomatoes is the most difficult part of this recipe. You could use a small spoon, or a grapefruit knife; even a strawberry pitter. Once you find the best tool that works for you, you should be able to power through this process.
6. Chef's Note: Save the insides of the cored tomatoes... You will need them in just a bit.
7. Sprinkle the inside of the cored tomatoes with a bit of salt, and place upside-down on a paper towel.
8. Chef's Note: Let the tomatoes drain for 15 minutes.
9. Meanwhile, take the tomato guts, and finely mash.
10. In a small bowl add the cream cheese, mashed tomatoes, prosciutto, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper.
11. Thoroughly combine the ingredients.
12. Add about a teaspoon of the filling to each of the cored tomatoes.
13. Chef's Tip: It will be easier to add the filling if you place the ingredients in a small Ziploc bag, and then cut off a tip. Or, you could use a pastry bag with a large tip.
14. PLATE/PRESENT
15. Serve on a plate as a group, or put them on individual serving spoons. Enjoy.
16. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.