Tomatoes are delicious and very healthy. But other than using them in spaghetti sauce or chopping fresh tomatoes and tossing them into a green salad, what are you supposed to do with them? Truthfully, there are many different ways to use tomatoes in your cooking—and they can be anything from a delicious side to a meal all on their own.
If you love enjoying tomatoes, and are tired of having to whip up a batch of spaghetti every time you want that tangy taste, you just need to learn the many other ways to cook with them. And while fresh tomatoes are great, especially in the middle of summer, canned tomatoes are just as good (and sometimes even better) for certain recipes.
1. Skewer them
Skewered dishes are great for parties, or when you're trying to get the kids into the kitchen to take some of the load off. And tomatoes may just be the best food of all to skewer. You can skewer them all on their own, brush them with some olive oil and season with salt and pepper and give them a quick cook on the grill. Or, you can take that salad up a notch by skewering tomatoes with fresh basil leaves and bocconcini (small mozzarella balls) and drizzling them with a balsamic reduction. You've got a great appetizer that's easy to hold and enjoy while mingling with other guests!
2. Roast them
Roasting tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness and is a great way to enjoy them. To do it just lay cherry tomatoes out on a baking sheet, drizzle them with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Pop them into a 250 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 3 hours and then enjoy the deliciousness! You can also use the same method when using Roma tomatoes; just slice them in half first.
3. Use sun-dried tomatoes
Save yourself the hassle and just purchase sun-dried tomatoes. They're similar to roasted tomatoes but have a very unique shape, taste, and texture. You can slice them thinly and toss them into salad, or you can cut them into big chunks and toss them with your favorite pasta—they're particularly great with pesto sauce. Or, you can even just pull them out of their jars and snack on them all on their own; this is a great idea for cheese boards or charcuterie platters.
4. Make tomato soup
Homemade tomato soup is
so much better than the stuff you'll get in the cans. Tomato soup is a comfort food classic, and in this
recipe, the rich flavor of fresh tomatoes really shines through. The secret? Using very ripe tomatoes or good-quality canned tomatoes to ensure you're concentrating only the best flavor.
5. Make salsa
Like tomato soup, homemade salsa is so much better than the store-bought kind. You can use fresh or canned, it doesn't really matter here. Mix them up with finely diced onions, jalapeño peppers, bell peppers, cilantro, and lime juice. Then use your very own salsa when serving Mexican dishes, or to use just for dipping tortilla chips in.
6. Stuff them
Most people are familiar with stuffed mushrooms, but stuffed tomatoes can be even better. Hollow out any kind of fresh tomato you like by scooping out the seeds and a little bit of the flesh, then stuff it with hummus, avocados, or even cooked sausage. You can then serve them as is or top them with grated cheese and pop them under the broiler for a little bit. You won't believe that tomatoes could ever taste so good!
