Tomatoes are the tops – my favourite tomato recipes. In 1937 George and Ira Gershwin wrote ‘ Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off ‘ for the film Shall We Dance. They compared English and American pronunciation in various rhyming couplets and the famous line “You like to-may-to. And I like to-mah-to”. One thing is for certain. Since tomatoes were first imported from Mexico and used as a decorative plant, they have become the world’s most popular fruit, yes, fruit. Around one hundred and seventy million tonnes a year are harvested and eaten.
“You like to-may-to. And I like to-mah-to”
A little bit about Tomatoes
Tomatoes were first cultivated in South America from wild plants growing in the foothills of the Andes mountains. When the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in Mexico, they found the inhabitants growing what they called ‘tomatl’ and took them back to Europe. Originally, tomatoes were ornamental plants. People believed them to be poisonous, being a member of the Nightshade family. In fact, the stems and leaves do contain a nasty alkaloid, but it is not found in the berries or fruit that we eat.
This belief that tomatoes were toxic led to them being called Poison Apples. Over time, the tomato has also been known as the wolf peach and love apple or pomme d’amour in French. Biologically, because the tomato produces seeds in a berry, it is a fruit; however, in America, legally, they are vegetables for the purposes of import taxes and customs tariffs. Today, there are over twenty thousand varieties, including cherry, plum, purple, green and golden tomatoes.
Tomatoes as an Ingredient
Tomatoes are a key ingredient in many recipes; their natural sweetness and acidity are a great addition to soups, stews and sauces. But some of my favourite tomato recipes are simplicity itself. When you have a fresh, locally grown tomato, you can just pick it off the vine. Then give it a quick wipe and eat it straight off. The taste is sensational. In celebration of this wonderful ingredient, here is a selection of some of my favourite tomato recipes.
My Tomato Carpaccio
I love the combination of the sweet, ripe tomatoes with anchovies, capers, Parmesan and a little red onion. It is an umami-laden flavour bomb perfect as a summer starter or light lunch served with some crusty bread.
Panzanella – A taste of Summer in a bowl
Panzanella is an example of Italian cucina povera or ‘food of the poor’. This is a frugal style of cooking, making the most of every ingredient.
Tinned Tuna and Butter Bean Salad with Cherry Tomatoes
Perfect for a summer’s day when it’s too hot to cook this simple recipe uses a few store cupboard staples and fresh salad ingredients
Spanish Tomato Bread – Pan con tomate
Pan con tomate is probably the simplest recipe I have posted. Actually, I will qualify that Pan con tomate or Pa amb tomàquet is one of the simplest, most tasty recipes full stop.
Spaghetti with Clams and Tomato
Traditionally, there are two ways of serving Spaghetti with Clams, Bianco, the clams simply served in a sauce of their own juices, white wine and olive oil. Simply flavoured with garlic, chilli pepper, and parsley. I prefer Rosso, with the added flavour and sweetness of a little fresh, ripe tomato.
Breakfast doesn’t have to be Boring
Breakfast doesn’t have to be Boring – Panfried Chorizo and Tomatoes on Toast. Few people love a full English Breakfast more than I do. A plump sausage, crisp bacon, mushrooms, tomato and fried, scrambled or poached egg. Delicious. However, the only alternative doesn’t have to be bland, sugar-laden cereals. Oh no, sir, definitely not!
My Caprese Style Salad
For just over a hundred years, since its first appearance on a hotel menu, the Caprese has been found in Italian restaurants around the world. Made with ripe, sweet tomatoes, creamy Mozzarella and pungent basil. It is finished with a pinch of salt and olive oil, and that’s it. Simple.
Baked Potatoes with Ratatouille
Baked Potatoes with Ratatouille is a great dish to make for loads of people. Very little extra effort is required to cook the dish for two or ten. After a busy day at work or running around at the weekend, this is a really simple and hearty dish, perfect for families and vegan friendly.
