Transform Your BBQ Leftovers with Laurent Mariotte’s Go-To Recipe!

It’s a common occurrence at almost every barbecue: the fear of running short (and appearing stingy…) leads us to overestimate the amount of meat needed. As a result, when the guests have left, there’s usually enough left over for another meal. The challenge, however, is figuring out what to do with these leftovers. Simply reheating them in the microwave or oven often leads to dried-out, tough meat that nobody enjoys.

Instead of letting them languish in the back of the fridge (and eventually throwing them out), Laurent Mariotte opts to give them a new lease on life. The host of Small Dishes in Balance incorporates them into a delicious summer recipe: stuffed tomatoes. This approach is as economical as it is tasty, utilizing an assortment of leftover grilled merguez, sausages, or skewers without the need to purchase additional ground beef.

To prepare this dish for 6 people, start by rinsing 250 g of long Camargue rice and let it soak for 15 minutes in cold water. Meanwhile, preheat your grill to 340°F (170°C). Slice the top off 6 large tomatoes and scoop out the insides, then blend the flesh, adding a bit of water if necessary to achieve about 2.5 cups (60 cl) of tomato juice. Next, chop 300 g of leftover grilled meats (merguez, sausages, skewers…), 2 red onions, and 5 cloves of garlic, and then add 50 g of diced spicy chorizo, 2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a pinch of fine gray salt, a dash of Espelette pepper, and mix well.

Stuff the tomatoes with this mixture before replacing their tops. Drain the rice and spread it at the bottom of a dish, place the stuffed tomatoes on top, pour over the tomato juice, add a few sprigs of fresh thyme, and cook on the grill, covered, for about 30 minutes.

With his waste-not approach to stuffed tomatoes, Laurent Mariotte demonstrates that a barbecue doesn’t have to end when the embers die out. Leftover merguez, sausages, or skewers from the previous day can become the foundation of a new, equally delicious recipe. It might even make you hope that your guests leave some behind on the grill next time.