Tomatoes

General Tips

• Do not store tomatoes in the refrigerator, as they will lose some of their flavour
• Tomatoes are high in acid, so prepare them in pans with non-reactive surfaces (such as stainless steel); avoid aluminium, copper and other metals; serve tomatoes in glass or china bowls, but not plastic (they will stain the plastic)
• Slice tomatoes horizontally rather than crosswise, to ensure slices keep their juice better
• Peel tomatoes by blanching, with an “x” cut into the bottom: dip them into cold water immediately, then gently peel with a knife tip when cool
• Remove tomato seeds by cutting in half crosswise and squeezing, cut side down
• To stuff tomatoes, cut off the stem end and scoop out contents without puncturing the skin; drain upside down on paper towels, then stuff
• If using slicing tomatoes, remove the white core around the stem with a sharp knife, then use as desired
• Restore sun-dried tomatoes by placing them in boiling water for 2 minutes, or use them dried in soups or on pizzas
• If working with Tamarillo tomatoes, you must first peel them by blanching for 1 minute
  
  

Recipe Tips & Hints

• Serve tomato wedges raw with other veggies and a savoury Renée’s Dressing & Dip for a quick appetizer
• Sliced or wedged tomatoes are the classic salad ingredient, so toss them into most any vegetable salad, especially with grilled chicken during the summer, and any of Renée’s Gourmet Dressings & Dips or Naturally Light Raspberry Vinaigrette
• Try a delicious Mighty Caesar Salad (dressed with Renée’s Gourmet Mighty Caesar Dressing & Dip) with sun-dried tomatoes, romaine lettuce, croutons, freshly grated parmesan, sliced red onion and optional crab
• Top a Turkey & Brie Sandwich (see recipe in our database) with tomato slices and Renée’s Gourmet Caesar Dressing & Dip; or top any burger with tomato slices
• Couple tomatoes with crumbled feta and red onion rings in a Greek Salad with Renée’s Gourmet Greek Feta Dressing & Dip
• Throw some cubed onions into any wrap, especially an Athens Wrap, a Fire Grilled Chicken Wrap or An All-Canadian Chicken Wrap (see our database for these recipes)
• Add fresh tomatoes to a Mexican dish, such as a Southwestern Ensalada, Cajun Jambalaya or Chili Tequila Lime Fajita (look for these recipes in our recipe database), or add tomato chunks to any type of salsa
• Try these varied salads using fresh & grilled tomatoes, all available in our recipe database: Sweet Onion, Orange and Broccoli Salad, Grilled Tomato and Peach Salad, Extreme Cobb Salad, Extreme Cheese Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad, Rancher’s Chicken and Corn Salad, or Tomato, Avocado and Green Bean Salad
• Skewer cherry tomatoes with other vegetable chunks, grill and serve on the side of grilled meats
• Use sliced plum tomatoes as a delicious pizza topping
• Top grilled garlic bread with tomato and other vegetable cubes for quick bruschetta dressed with Renée’s Gourmet Naturally Light Sweet Onion Vinaigrette or Spring Herb Italian Dressing
  
  

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