Avocado Pesto Stuffed Tomatoes

30 cherry tomatoes (about 2 pints)

½ medium avocado, pitted, peeled, and cut up, more to taste

2 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons homemade or purchased basil pesto

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Snipped fresh basil (optional)

Cut a thin slice from the top of each tomato. Cut a thin slice from bottoms of tomatoes if they won’t stand upright. With a small spoon or small melon baller carefully hollow out tomatoes. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Invert tomatoes on towels. Let stand 30 minutes to drain. Filling: In food processor bowl combine avocado, cream cheese, pesto, and lemon juice. Cover; process until smooth. Spoon filling into a pastry bag fitted with a large plain round or open star tip. Place tomatoes, open sides up, on a serving platter. Pipe filling into tomato cups. Serve immediately or cover loosely and refrigerate up to 4 hours before serving. Sprinkle with snipped basil before serving. Makes 30 appetizers: