Fresh Tomato Topping Recipes

FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; meanwhile, prepare a large bowl of ice water. With a paring knife, core tomatoes, and score an X on the bottoms. Working in batches, carefully lower tomatoes into boiling water; when skins begin to split (30 to 60 seconds), use a slotted spoon to transfer tomatoes to ice water.
• When tomatoes are cool, remove skins (use a paring knife, if necessary), and discard. Halve tomatoes. Remove seeds with a spoon, and discard. Finely chop tomatoes.
• In a Dutch oven (or other large pot), heat oil over medium-high. Add onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add tomato paste; cook, stirring, until slightly darkened, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add tomatoes, and stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thick and saucy, about 1 1/2 hours. Season with salt and pepper. Use immediately, or freeze in airtight containers up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in microwave before warming.

FRESH TOMATO BASIL SAUCE

Steps:

• In large saucepan, cook tomatoes and basil over medium-low heat until tomatoes are soft.
• Meanwhile, in medium skillet, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onions are translucent.
• Add onion mixture to tomato mixture and add salt and pepper. Let simmer on low heat for 2 hours or until thick.

QUICK FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut tomatoes in half horizontally. Squeeze out the seeds and discard, if you wish. Press the cut side of tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate tomato flesh into a bowl. Discard skins. You should have about 4 cups.
• Put tomato pulp in a low wide saucepan over high heat. Add salt, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, basil and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a brisk simmer.
• Reduce the sauce by almost half, stirring occasionally, to produce about 2 1/2 cups medium-thick sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. It will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or may be frozen.

FRESH TOMATO BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. , Spread baguette slices with butter; top each with a cheese slice. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat until cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, top each slice with about 1 tablespoon tomato mixture.

HOW TO MAKE GARDEN FRESH TOMATO SAUCE STEP BY STEP

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil.
• To prepare the tomatoes, cut an X into the stem end and drop them into the boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes or until you see the skins begin to slip off.
• Transfer the tomatoes to a colander in the sink and run cold water over them until they are cool enough to handle.
• Use a small, sharp knife, and peel off the skins and cut in half.
• Cut out the small core and then use your finger tips to scoop out most of the seeds.
• Cut the tomatoes into thin strips or coarse dice.
• In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat until sizzling, then cook the onion, stirring often, until it is soft and translucent.
• Add the garlic and cook a minute or two just until fragrant.
• Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper, and half the basil, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
• Stir in the remaining basil, and use to top your favorite cooked pasta.

FRESH TOMATO CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the onions and cook until slightly softened.
• Add the garlic, basil, rosemary, and white wine. Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the diced tomatoes. Cook for 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have softened.
• Add the heavy cream. Gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly, about another 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over freshly cooked pasta.

NO-COOK FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Place tomatoes in a large bowl; stir in basil, oil and garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let stand at room temperature until juices are released from tomatoes, 30-60 minutes, stirring occasionally., Serve with hot pasta. Sprinkle with cheese.

FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• In a wide, nonstick frying pan, or in a 3-quart saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, just until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, sugar, basil or thyme sprig, and salt (begin with 1/2 teaspoon and add more later), and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, stirring often, until thick. Pulpy tomatoes like romas will usually take 20 to 30 minutes. However, if the tomatoes are very juicy, it will take longer for them to cook down. The longer you cook the sauce, the sweeter it will be. You can speed up the process by turning up the heat, but stir often so the sauce doesn't scorch. Towards the end of cooking, stir in the slivered fresh basil and some freshly ground pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• If using quartered tomatoes, put through the medium blade of a food mill. If you used peeled seeded tomatoes but want a sauce with a smooth, even texture, remove the basil sprigs and discard. Pulse the sauce in a food processor fitted with the steel blade.

FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; add tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers, garlic, white wine and salt and pepper to taste.
• Mix ingredients well; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve.

FRESH TOMATO TOPPING

Steps:

• Chop tomatoes into small pieces, place in bowl. Add minced garlic and shallots. Put basil and parsley into a food processor, pulse until just chopped. Add to tomato mixture. Add lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper to tomatoes. Season to taste. Will keep, refrigerated overnight. Serve at room temperature.