Glorious Broiled Garden Tomato Basil Salad

Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet beefsteak tomatoes
• olive oil
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, coarse chopped
• 8 fresh baby mozzarella balls, cut into small pieces
• 4 strips bacon, diced and crisp fried, drained

Instructions:

1. Wash and cut the tomatoes in half across the ‘equator’ and carefully cut out the insides, chop up and put in a bowl.
2. Add to the bowl with the tomato pulp, the kosher salt, black pepper, basil, and mozzarella balls pieces. Mix to combine.
3. Place each tomato ‘bowl’ cut side up on a broiler pan and brush lightly with olive oil.
4. With a slotted spoon, fill the bowls with the tomato-basil-mozzarella mixture, making sure you don’t get too much tomato juice in the tomato bowl.
5. Place under a preheated broiler at 5″ away for about 3 to 4 minutes or until tops brown, tomato softens, and cheese is melted.
6. Remove and let cool slightly.
7. Sprinkle crumbled bacon on top and serve warm.
8. Makes 8 individual salads.