It’s hard to deny that tomatoes are the ideal summer food — and that’s saying a lot in a season where so much produce is at its peak. But when a heat wave strikes, as one has throughout much of the United States over the past few weeks, the tomato really proves its worth.On their own, tomatoes are just what the doctor ordered. “Raw tomatoes are a source of lycopene, an antioxidant, and they’re also a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and folate,” said Lauren Manganiello, a registered dietitian and sports nutritionist in Long Island, New York.
Give kale a chance — or fall in love all over again — with these 7 dishesThough cooking tomatoes does boost their lycopene content, you’ll still get enough from an uncooked tomato to make it worth your while, according to Manganiello. If you really want to help up your antioxidant intake, add a little bit of olive oil. “Consuming fresh tomatoes with a source of fat, such as olive oil, is a great way to boost lycopene absorption,” she said.With a few swipes of a knife, you can turn a crop of tomatoes into a truly satisfying meal, and in many cases, you can do it without touching a stove burner knob.The following incredibly easy tomato recipes are either no-cook or come together with a few chop-and-prep steps, because it’s tough enough to get through these scorching days without adding the misery of a hot kitchen.
Salads and sandwiches
A summer tomato may be the most delicious part of a BLT.When it comes down to it, almost anything can be a salad or a sandwich — the potential combinations are endless. And nothing demonstrates that better than a tomato sandwich.Southerners rave over the simplicity of a tomato sandwich on white bread, dressed lightly with mayonnaise and salt. And if you want to pile on more ingredients, you’ll find ways to make a tomato sandwich every day of the week.
Drinking coffee of any type cuts risk for liver problems, study saysSwap out the mayonnaise for hummus, ranch dressing, cream cheese or spicy mustard. Add a sliced hard-boiled egg or avocado. Grab extra napkins for the juicy mess of cherry pepper relish or pickled onions. Or if you’re in the mood for classic comfort, there’s always the BLT.Similarly, a traditional Caprese salad can become even more summery with a few fruity additions. Layer slices of fresh peaches or watermelon with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil on your salad platter, or for a kid-friendly twist, make caprese skewers.
This hearty Cobb salad features chicken, bacon, t tomato, onions and eggs.Got leftover grilled steak, shrimp or chicken? Turn it into the base for a Cobb salad with as many tomatoes and leftover fridge elements as you can handle. Try this recipe as a start, and pick and choose add-ins like roasted red peppers and marinated chickpeas to suit your tastes.
Sauces and spreads
We all love slow-simmered marinara sauce for ladling over pasta, but the heat of July might not be the best time to cook up a big batch. Instead, stir up a no-cook tomato sauce that practically explodes with the juiciness of fresh tomatoes. Try it with a hearty chickpea-based or whole grain pasta.
Continue Reading: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/06/health/tomato-recipes-summer-wellness/index.html
