Slow-Baked Tennessee Tomatoes

Source: the kitchen of Pick Tennessee Products

6 large ripe tomatoes, cut in half horizontally
6 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
3 tablespoons chopped basil

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Place tomatoes on baking sheet, cut sides up. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 2 to 3 hours or until the tomatoes collapse and begin to caramelize. Sprinkle with garlic about halfway through baking, and sprinkle with goat cheese during last 5 minutes. Sprinkle with basil just before serving.

Makes 6 servings.