This Attack of the Killer Squashed Tomatoes Baguette is a fun take on the classic Caprese Italian combo of sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, herbs, flavored with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
Welcome to a very special edition for Food ‘n Flix because this month we are celebrating the 5th anniversary of this wonderful movie/food group. And we were allowed to revisit any movie from the past 5 years for September. I chose a movie that was played prior to my arrival, one that I knew was ultra silly but sounded like fun. The flic?
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, and I just survived the viewing by squashing some tomatoes to make a delectable Attack of the Killer Squashed Tomatoes Baguette. Sound like fun? Then join our group. Every month we watch a movie with food in it and we prepare a dish inspired by the movie.
I first joined Food ‘n Flix back in May 2013 and I made a Duck Prosciutto for the movie Delicatessen (which I just so happen to see again this weekend). AMAZING group! I never looked back after that first experience and I looked forward to the movie of each following month.
I have also had the honor of hosting 5 times so far as well with the movies Bridget Jones’s Diary, Butter, Bridesmaids, The Terminal and Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?. But for today let’s move on with the tomato massacre!
After you see this movie you will never feel safe when you spot an innocent bunch of tomatoes on your countertop again. The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is a 1978 comedy horror movie that is absolutely as corny as…well..the 70s. Besides the tomatoes one of the scariest things in those movie is the hair and clothes hi hi. But seriously, this film never meant to take itself seriously. OK that was a cheesy sentence too!
The story basically involves tomatoes becoming soldiers by unknown means and revolting against humanity. A series of attacks perpetrated by tomatoes occur … we only see the outcome of attacks so no gore and the tomatoes usually roll on their sides to move around. The president puts together a team of specialists to stop the tomatoes. Eventually someone figures out the tomatoes leave when a song called “Puberty Love” is played. The tomatoes are then cornered in a stadium and the song is played over the loudspeaker, causing the tomatoes to shrink and allowing the various people at the stadium to squash them by stomping on them repeatedly.
The list of foods or recipes in this movie is short but did include tomatoes of course, tomato juice, ketchup, and a BLT sandwich. I knew my recipe would involve squashing me some tomatoes! I hope you like the somber scary look I tried to achieve in my photos.
With today’s selections in stores I had to go with a tri-color presentation with yellow, orange and red cherry tomatoes. And I had a messy blast squashing my tomatoes in my hands…very therapeutic. The open sandwich has a definitely Italian tone to it with fresh oregano, olive oil and balsamic coated tomatoes, all topping a garlic butter soaked bread and thick melted mozzarella slices. A delicious dinner!
Squashed Tomatoes Baguette
Ingredients
- 8 to 12 cherry tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- a drizzle of balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons fresh oregano chopped
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 loaf french bread or baguette horizontally cut in half
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
- 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
Instructions
- Squash and squeeze the cherry tomatoes using your hands into a tall and narrow bowl to avoid as much splatter as possible. Drizzle the tomatoes with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then add the oregano, salt and pepper. Toss and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400F. Mix together butter and garlic. Spread evenly over bread halves. Place breads on large baking sheet cut side up. Line bread with mozzarella cheese slices and bake in oven for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Remove bread from oven and spoon tomatoes on the bread slices. Serve whole or cut into 3-inch slices for appetizers.
Notes
Want more fun appetizers?
This is tomato invasion! 😀 I love your baguette. The squashed tomatoes are perfect and the cheese makes it even better! Too bad I haven’t seen the movie yet.
I even bought the move “Butter” (and enjoyed it) but I couldn’t make it by the deadline. (sigh). I just joined this year (altho I did one post for Food ‘n Flix years ago), but have been kind of hit and miss. I hope to be better organized from now on. Love your tomato baguette! I’ve never seen that movie.
Wow! That looks amazing! I’ve never seen that movie, but your inspiration looks soot on!
You had me at tomatoes and garlic-soaked baguette. Yum! This was a zany film and one where the dishes definitely outdid the movie. I am glad you picked it. (And I love your scary-styled photos too!) 😉
I have learned a lot about how to write a good post on Food N Flix and a lot of it is due to you. Great title and name for your recipe!
Aw thank you so much Terri, that is so sweet! 🙂
Great interpretation and inspiration and photos! I missed the round whe Killer Tomatoes was up.
Thanks Debra, can’t wait ti see what you picked.
Oh my gosh Evelyne….I have never seen this movie but I LOVE your recipe inspired by it and all your cheesy comments.
I am pretty proud of my cheesy comments in this post hi hi 😉 Thanks Wendy!
I hosted this film the first time around! Such a goofy choice, but it definitely inspired some wonderful dishes. I like where you went with it!
I am certainly glad you had picked it and you must have had a laugh to see it now again 🙂
I’ve never heard of this movie, but your recipe certainly captures the spirit of that screenshot! Looks very tasty, Evelyne 🙂
Thanks Viviane, recipe MUCH better than the movie lol
Let the tomatoes invade! I would kill and eat as many as I could – in just this way. 🙂
Ah the first pro-invader, they are good baguettes!
Looks delicious! I might not ever look at an innocent tomato the same way again… LOL
You better not in case they attack!
Okay is the tomatoes want to revolt, then we need big guns and knives to stop them. Sorry I got too into the story Evelyne lol. But I will say, this recipe does look divine.
Ha ha big knives yes t chop them up! Thanks Kia.
What a perfect recipe for that movie haha! It looks quite tasty, too.
Thanks Amy!
Do not get me around cherry tomatoes – omg, I will NOT stop eating them! LOL! At the grocery store I am like the cherry tomato………. Magician 😉
You should have been the weapon to kill the killer tomatoes!
Too funny! I love the delicious sandwich—great combination of ingredients. And now I have to catch this flick 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it, and watch with caution lol
Hehe you guys have the most fun doing this! I haven’t seen this movie (I find myself saying that a lot) but you make it sound like a lot of fun!
Got to change that, start seeing the films lol
I have the sequel on dvd, such a strange bunch of movies eh? Love this use of killing the killer tomatoes.
Oh wow, I am impressed you saw the sequels! Just as bad? Thanks for your comment
This is so funny! I don’t know the movie your baguettes look really tasty!
Glad you liked the humor! Hope you see the movie!
ha ha ha – I love that you chose this flick, and the way you styled that photo to resemble that “gory” scene in the produce aisle! 😉 This is such a fun post, and I would eat the mess out of one of those baguettes…they look incredible! I’m so happy that you’re a part of food ‘n flix! 🙂
I am so happy to have discovered your group Heather. Yeah I ate the 2 baguettes in no time flat!
Love the look of your baguette! I am sure I have not seen this movie 🙂
But will you see it now lol?
Simple ingredients, great flavours…I love those open sandwiches, Evelyne.
Thanks Angie, definitely a less-is-more recipe