Let us take a moment to consider the tomato, that delicious, colorful, vitamin-packed fruit. Yes, tomatoes are a fruit, though their subtle sweetness might lead us to believe they are actually a vegetable. No matter. What matters is, they are part of nature?s bounty and a perfectly wonderful thing to eat.
Tomatoes come in many different varieties, of varying size and color. The juiciness and flavor of a fresh tomato adds a special zest to a meal, and can add a delightful coolness to dishes served on a hot summer day.
One easy-to-make summer classic is a salad of chopped fresh tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, crunchy croutons and mozzarella cheese. Just chop up tomatoes, (about a half cup) and add in an equal amount of basil. Then add in bite size pieces of mozzarella cheese (about a third cup). Mozzarella cheese can be purchased plain, or seasoned in olive oil. Either way, it is delicious. Next, add in about one third cup of crunchy croutons. Mix it all together in a bowl with a dressing of two parts olive oil, to one part balsamic vinaigrette. Finally, add in a pinch of fresh garlic, to taste, then toss together for a delicious salad!
Here?s another fabulous idea ? spice up your favorite recipes with sun-dried tomatoes. No, tomatoes don?t have to be fresh to be enjoyed. The sun-dried tomato is a delicacy in itself — it?s a practical way to use food dehydration and add a special zing to a meal. You can purchase dehydrated tomatoes dry or packed in olive oil.
To liven up dried tomatoes, store them in a container with fresh olive oil for 24 hours before using. They should be refrigerated. Then add herbs for extra flavor. The dried tomatoes can be sprinkled on pasta dishes, pizza (especially tasty with goat cheese) or chicken. Throw on a little garlic and enjoy!
