Shine Food

12 Terrific ways to do tomatoes

July 23, 2008 at 4:38 PM

Plump, juicy tomatoes are one of summer's sweetest gifts. Right now they are crowding out the cucumbers and filling up baskets at farmers' markets everywhere. You'll find endless ways to dress up (or down) a tomato. And you can start here.

Recipe Tips:

Ripen at Room Temperature
Don't even think about the word "refrigerator"; let your tomatoes ripen at room temperature so that none of the wonderful flavor is lost. In a hurry? A tomato will ripen faster when you pair it with an apple in a covered bowl.

Peel Easily
If a recipe calls for peeling, plunge tomatoes in a saucepan of boiling water for a few seconds and remove. Place in a bowl of ice water until cool. The skin will come right off.

Recipes:

Starters and Sides
Summer Tomatoes

Gazpacho Chopped Salad

Grilled Zucchini and Tomatoes Wth Feta Sauce

Vodka-spiked Cherry Tomatoes with Pepper Salt

Main Courses
Fusilli with Fresh Tomato and Olive Sauce

Tomato and Cucumber Sandwiches with Garlic-Anchovy Butter

Fried Green Tomato "Blt"

Grilled Tomato, Basil, and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

Sauces and More
Fresh Tomato Salsa

Provencal Oven-Roasted Tomato Sauce

Tomato Chutney