Maschi (African Stuffed Tomatoes) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

FILLING
2 lbs lean ground beef, cooked
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 garlic cloves, mashed
4 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
1 cup cooked rice
Sauce
12 ounces tomato paste
2 (6 ounce) cans water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon garlic powder
8 large firm tomatoes
For Saute
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons oil
Garnish
green olives

Preparation

Combine filling ingredients in large bowl.
Cut a Slit in 8 large TOMATOES (very firm), halfway across the center.
Squeeze at the sides to open the slit.
Scoop out all the flesh from inside of tomatoes with a spoon.
Refill tomato with beef mixture and close the tomato.
Melt 2 Tbs. BUTTER and
2 Tbs. OIL in a large skillet.
Saute the tomatoes carefully in the fat, rolling them gently until they become dark red on all sides.
Remove the tomatoes with the oil and place in a casserole or heavy saucepan.
Prepare sauce as follows and pour over the tomatoes:
Combine: 2 6-oz. cans TOMATO PASTE thinned with water add salt, cinnamon and garlic powder.
Simmer the tomatoes gently over low flame for 10 to 15 minutes until sauce is cooked.
Remove carefully to a 15-inch round platter.
Top each with GREEN OLIVES
If there is more Maschi filling left over after filling the tomatoes place it in a suitable pan and bake it alongside the tomatoes.