Lycopersicon esculentum! aka Tomatoes!

The tomato is one of the most versatile fruits and has many uses and benefits.

A bit about tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and A. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant helping protect cells from damage and Vitamin A assists the immune system and sight. Did you know that the phytochemcials in tomatoes have the ability to reduce the risk of cancers and heart disease? 

So how do we make use of this wonderful fruit? Below are some recipe ideas that will surely make your mouth water!

Sausages in tomato and onion sauce
This has to be one of my favourites! In fact, I even had this exact meal for dinner last night! It’s very simple and easy to cook. All you need to do is cook some sausages in fry pan. In another fry pan cook thinly sliced onion and chopped garlic on medium heat until brown and soft. Then, add diced tomatoes (I like to use Truss or Roma tomatoes) and stir until the tomatoes have softened and the sauce has thickened. (Make sure you keep the lid off so that the excess water in the tomatoes can evaporate). I like to season the sauce with a pinch of oregano and half a tea spoon of sugar (this helps to reduce the acidity).
 
Lastly, place the cooked sausages in the onion and tomato mixture and cook until heated.

Bruschetta
Bruschetta is a great dish to prepare as an entree to any meal. To make Bruschetta combine finely diced tomatoes, garlic, Spanish onion, parsley, olive oil and salt. This mixture is then placed on toasted Italian bread.

I also like to add to this mixture an Italian cheese called bocconcini. This provides a different texture and flavour to break up the tomato mixture. For the full recipe, click here. 

If you are trying to steer clear from bread and carbohydrates an alternative, which I absolutely love is buffalo mozzarella and tomato. Simply slice buffalo mozzarella into 0.5cm thick slices and place a slice of tomato on top. Drizzle with oil and salt. Buffalo mozzarella can be quite pricey so I normally save this meal for special occasions. 

If you are trying to steer clear from bread and carbohydrates an alternative, which I absolutely love is buffalo mozzarella and tomato. Simply slice buffalo mozzarella into 0.5cm thick slices and place a slice of tomato on top. Drizzle with oil and salt. Buffalo mozzarella can be quite pricey so I normally save this meal for special occasions.

Where to buy cheeses? I preferably like Paesanella, situated in Haberfield.  You can visit their website: Paesanella

Pasta with tomato sauce and pancetta

Another one of my favourites (as you can see I love tomatoes!) is pasta with tomato sauce and pancetta. Pancetta is an Italian cured meat and can be sourced from most butchers and supermarkets. For a great recipe check out Food network’s pasta recipe here.

If you have extra time you can even make your own tomato sauce, here are some photos of when I made tomato sauce with my family in January this year. 

La Tomatina 
And for those who can’t get enough of tomatoes there is always La Tomatina, a tomato throwing festival in Valencia, Spain. Fear not, you have not missed this year’s festival as it will be held on 28 August 2013! For more information click here.

- Liana Fasanella