One Ingredient 9 Different Ways: Tomato
By Leah Koenig
No other vegetable (or fruit, botanically speaking) is awaited with such eagerness or eaten with more reverence than the tomato. Every summer, things go a little crazy when the first tomatoes begin to blush on the vine, and then again when they appear at the farmers market. It's as if the rest of the growing season, with its virtuous leafy greens and heads of spicy garlic, is little more than a dress rehearsal leading up to that one rapturous, pulpy bite of tomato.
Get inspired with 28 recipe ideas here »
Equally delicious simply sliced and dripping with a sprinkle of salt, or perched atop a thick piece of bread slathered with butter, tomatoes are the edible definition of summer.
Want to throw an ingredient-themed dinner party? Get our menu for a Spanish-inspired tomato feast »
These 9 recipes capture the tomato's elegance and versatility:
5 SAVORY WAYS
Tomato and Cheese Pie
This rustic, layered pie may not be a looker, but the satisfying combination of crushed tomatoes and Peccorino Romano cheese more than makes up for its homey appearance.
Tomato Salsa
This salsa contrasts the flavor of fire-roasted beefsteak tomatoes with that of fresh, raw tomatoes, a double dose of bright, sweet and smoky flavor.
Tomato Sandwiches
This sublime sandwich is nothing more than bread, butter, salt and slices of perfect summer tomato.
Quick Fish Filets in Tomato Sauce
Fish filets are browned and then poached atop cherry tomatoes in this easy weeknight dish.
Pasta with Spicy Tomato Beer Sauce
Bock-style beer is the secret ingredient in this puttanesca-style pasta sauce, where tomatoes are a sweet counterpart to a variety of sour and briny flavors.
2 SWEET WAYS
Tomato and Green Apple Jam
Sweet and thick with a kick of heat, this jam tastes great grilled chicken or fish, fried eggs, or on toast with sharp cheddar cheese.
Maple Syrup Roasted Tomatoes
These syrup-roasted tomatoes are so sweet and candy-like, you might just find yourself snacking on them for dessert - try them as a surprisingly sophisticated topping for vanilla ice cream.
2 DRINK TYPES
Tomato Water
This light but flavorful liquid - made from nothing but finely strained tomatoes - is a subtle, flavorful base for cocktails. (Save the leftover flesh for homemade tomato paste!)
Gazpacho Bloody Mary
Yellow tomatoes are the star in this summery, veggie-laden take on the classic brunch drink.
Try out this recipe from above:
Maple Syrup Roasted Tomatoes
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
16 cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp. maple syrup
2 tbsp. olive oil
3 sprigs fresh thyme, stemmed
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
Heat oven to 250°. Arrange tomato halves cut side up on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Whisk together syrup, oil, thyme, garlic, and salt and pepper in a bowl and then drizzle over tomatoes. Bake until tomatoes are half-dried and concentrated, 3-4 hours.
Get even more tomato recipes »
