Best Fresh Tomato Recipes
We had a bumper crop of garden tomatoes, this year and it was time to dig out the Best Fresh Tomato Recipes to use up our windfall.
We’d eaten loads of BLTs, added them to our salads, and made delectable tomato tarts. But more tomato recipes were needed!
Best Fresh Tomato Recipes
Finally, for the first time in a couple of decades, we were able to grow our own tomatoes. Our backyard has expanded and we have a sunny spot that’s perfect for an herb garden and a couple of tomato plants.
As is typical, they all ripened at once! It was time to dig out all my favorite tomato recipes and start chopping! Plus, I peeled and deseeded a bunch for the freezer. My pasta sauce will be kicked up a notch this winter!
Frequently Asked Questions
Tomatoes do best when they’re stored stem side down, in one layer, at room temperature. They will continue to ripen until refrigerated. If your tomatoes are super ripe, they can be stored for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Bring chilled tomatoes to room temperature before serving.
With a sharp knife, cut a superficial X through the skin on the end opposite the stem. Blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for about a minute then remove them to a bowl of ice water. The peel will slip right off.
Next, place the whole tomatoes into a freezer-safe Ziploc bag or cut the tomatoes in half and remove the seeds first. Remove any excess air from the bag, write the date on the exterior, and place it in the freezer. Properly stored, they’ll be good for 2-3 months
Best Tomato Salads, Entrees, and Side Dish Recipes
These juicy red gems add deliciousness to so many dishes. Here are a few of our favorites:
Tomato Salads
These juicy red gems add a deliciousness to so many salads. Here are a few of our favorites:
An unusual, delectable salad featuring tomatoes AND peaches!
If you love guacamole, you love this salad created from guac ingredients!
A spinach salad filled with chopped vegetables and topping with a red wine vinaigrette
A refreshing summer salad with fresh sweet corn, tomatoes, red onions and basil tossed in a light lime dressing
This delightful summer salad made with fresh corn and tomatoes!
A simple pasta salad with sweet ripe tomatoes, pasta shells, herbs and chunks of cheese!
A simple salad found throughout France made of the freshest ripe tomatoes you can find and fresh mozzarella
A twist on the classic French salad Nicoise using fresh tuna instead of canned tuna.
A versatile salsa or salad that is delicious made with fresh sweet corn!
Entrees with Tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes are delicious in main dish recipes. Cherry tomatoes work well during the off season.
Marinatied flank steak is served with all the fixings, including fresh tomatoes.
A Classic Tomato Soup flavored with thyme and served with grilled cheese croutons.
This layered casserole dish can be eaten any time of day!
This classic slow cooked Italian Meat Sauce can be made with your frozen summer tomatoes.
Seabass topped with a Mediterranean tapenade! Healthy and delicious!
How to make a classic BLT with Brie!
Tomato Side Dishes
Delicious side dishes that are best made with ripe summer tomatoes!
A savory summer tart with fresh tomatoes, pesto, and cheese.
A lovely summer tomato tart with Gruyere and herbs
A warm French tomato dish with herbs
A stunning side dish with slices of tomatoes, two kinds of summer squash and potatoes baked with cheese and onions.
A pastry shell filled with gooey cheese, fresh tomatoes, and basil!
Sauteed Green Beans wih Fresh Tomatoes and Garlic
An updated, classic Middle Eastern salad made with the super food, quinoa
Bonus No-Recipe Needed Caprese Salad
I had my first Caprese Salad in Italy fresh out of college. The beautiful, flavorful tomatoes and fresh mozzarella with a bit of fresh basil became an instant favorite.
To make, arrange slices of both tomato and fresh mozzarella slices (try buffalo mozzarella!) on a plate or platter, sprinkle with a little kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper if desired. Then drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar (reduce the vinegar for a syrupy consistency). Easy as can be!
Childhood Favorite Stuffed Tomato Recipe
My mom would make these stuffed tomatoes in the summer with our ripe garden tomatoes. Dreaming about these from summer to summer, my mom had no clue what recipe she used.
I tried making these with mayo. With sour cream. Then, with mayo AND sour cream. Nope; every single attempt was a failure. When I was in charge of our PTO cookbook (surprised?) at the kids’ parochial school, I tasted a cold rice salad that had a dressing that tasted very familiar. Yup, it was the perfect combination: mayo and yogurt.
The rest of the recipe was a snap. I hollowed out tomatoes and chopped the reserved flesh along with some cucumber. Mixed in some diced celery, a bit of seasoning salt, and twice as much mayo as yogurt. That’s it; the result is a simple and refreshing dish.
Salad Stuffed Tomatoes
My mom's recipe for summer stuffed tomatoes.
Ingredients
- 3 ripe, medium tomatoes (homegrown preferred)
- ½ English cucumber, peeled and chopped
- ½ stick celery, diced
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup mayonnaise, I prefer Hellmann's
- Seasoning salt to taste
Instructions
- Cut the tops off the tomatoes, remove the flesh and seeds from inside, and reserve.
- Drain upside down on paper towels.
- Chop the reserved tomato insides. Add to a bowl with the cucumber and celery.
- Add the yogurt and mayonnaise and mix to combine. Taste and season as desired.
- Fill the tomato shells with the salad mixture. Chill 30 minutes before serving.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
3Serving Size:
1 tomatoAmount Per Serving: Calories: 323Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 417mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 3g
Thatskinnychickcanbake.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although thatskinnychickcanbake.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe. Also, many recipes on thatskinnychickcanbake.com recommend toppings, which may or may not be listed as optional and nutritional information for these added toppings is not listed. Other factors may change the nutritional information such as when the salt amount is listed “to taste,” it is not calculated into the recipe as the amount will vary. Also, different online calculators can provide different results. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.
4 Comments on “Best Fresh Tomato Recipes”
These are really amazing tomato recipes!! I would love to try all!
Two Roots Farm where I pick up my vegetables still has delicious tomatoes as does our Farmers Market. Glad to have some new ideas.
Wow! Just Wow! It has not been until fairly recent that I grew to love tomatoes. Probably because I never had grown my own. I love them now and am always looking for ways to use them. Thanks Liz!
What a fantastic collection of tomato recipes! There are so many of them that I can’t wait to try since now it’s a harvest season and vintage tomatoes are easier to find in our local markets. Thanks, Liz, for the inspiration!