Tomaat-Garnaal (Belgian Tomatoes Stuffed with Shrimp)
Local name: Tomaat-garnaal
In short: Ripe tomatoes hollowed and filled with small peeled shrimp in a lemony mayonnaise, served chilled on lettuce. A classic Belgian starter. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 250 kcal
Tomate-crevettes, or tomaat-garnaal in Dutch, is a Belgian starter that needs no cooking at all, only very good ingredients. Firm, ripe tomatoes are hollowed out and filled with tiny peeled shrimp bound with mayonnaise, lemon and chives. It is served cold on a lettuce leaf with a slice of lemon and eaten with a fork before the main course. It is a summer favorite and turns up on many café menus.
Instructions
- Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato to make a lid. Scoop out the seeds and flesh with a small spoon, keeping the walls intact.
- Sprinkle the insides with 1/2 tsp salt and turn the tomatoes upside down on paper towels for 15 minutes to drain.
- Pat the shrimp very dry and set aside 8 of the best for decoration.
- Mix the mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives, dill, white pepper and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Fold in the remaining shrimp until just coated.
- Dry the tomato insides with a paper towel and fill with the shrimp mixture, mounding it slightly. Top each with 2 whole shrimp and set the lid on at an angle.
- Chill for 30 minutes. Serve on lettuce leaves with lemon wedges and a light dusting of paprika.
Tips
- Use firm, ripe tomatoes with thick walls, such as beefsteak types. Soft, watery tomatoes collapse and release liquid into the filling.
- Fill the tomatoes no more than 2 hours before serving and keep them chilled. If you make your own mayonnaise with raw egg, use very fresh eggs and serve the same day.
Questions and answers
Can I make tomaat-garnaal ahead?
Prepare the shrimp mixture and hollow the tomatoes up to 6 hours ahead. Keep them separate in the fridge and fill them just before serving so the tomatoes stay firm.
What shrimp should I use?
Belgians use grey shrimp, which are tiny and sweet. Small cooked, peeled North Atlantic shrimp are the closest substitute, and larger shrimp can simply be chopped.
Is tomaat-garnaal served hot or cold?
Always cold, as a starter. It is a no-cook dish and tastes best well chilled with a lemon wedge.
How long does it take to make Tomaat-Garnaal (Belgian Tomatoes Stuffed with Shrimp)?
About 25 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tomaat-Garnaal (Belgian Tomatoes Stuffed with Shrimp)?
About 250 kcal per serving, with 16 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 250 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
