S.o many of the most memorable summer dishes are an ode to the tomato season. Freshly made salsa, caprese salad drizzled with olive oil, thick slices on freshly grilled burgers … The fruit (yes, fruit) is just as emblematic of the season as a ripe peach, a watermelon wedge or an ear of grilled corn.
One pressing question, however, is why are juicy red tomatoes everywhere in summer but their cousin, sun-dried tomatoes, are completely overlooked? With a completely different texture and flavor profile, they bring something different to the table (literally) than regular tomatoes, despite being just as delicious. They’re also incredibly nutritious – think of sun-dried tomatoes as the more concentrated cousin of the fresh one. Their potassium content is a prime example: a single serving (one cup) of sun-dried tomatoes contains 39 percent of the recommended daily allowance of potassium, which is essential for muscle contraction and the transmission of nerve impulses. They also have very high concentrations of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that can help protect your skin from the sun, neutralize free radicals, and reduce inflammation in the body. One cup of sun-dried tomatoes provides 23 percent of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C and 16 percent of vitamin A.
And what is perhaps even more important, regardless of whether they are made into summery pastas, salads or baked goods, sun-dried tomatoes are bursting with a lively, sweet and tart taste that gets better with every bite.
You can either buy sun-dried tomatoes from the store (they’re usually in jars or packaged) or you can make them yourself at home. To do this, simply cut your tomatoes in half – cherry, grape, or garden tomatoes all work wonderfully – and place them on a baking sheet. Slowly cook them in the oven at 250 ° F for about three hours. That’s it! Best of all, your batch of sun-dried tomatoes will last a full six to nine months when properly stored in an airtight bag or container in the fridge or freezer. So you can still enjoy a touch of summer after stowing your sandals.
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If you’ve slept on sun-dried tomatoes, the sun-dried tomato recipes put together here will definitely make you change your mind. Read on to check them out.
10 recipes for sun-dried tomatoes
1. Vegan sun-dried tomato and walnut tacos
In this recipe, certified health coach, cook and wellness activist Haile Thomas turns sun-dried tomatoes and walnuts into taco “meat”. Genius, right? The chewy texture of the sun-dried tomatoes makes them perfect for processing into a meat substitute and goes well with the other ingredients used for flavor: coriander, tamari, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and onion powder.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Sun Dried Tomato Walnut Tacos
Photo: Food Heaven made easy
2. Potato-crusted watercress frittata
Sun-dried tomatoes shouldn’t just be brought to the dining table – you can work them right into your breakfast too. This recipe combines them with eggs, potatoes, mozzarella and lots of watercress. The end result is a hearty breakfast full of protein and fiber.
Get the Recipe: Potato Crust Watercress Frittata
Photo: Jessica in the kitchen
3. Quinoa veggie burger
Sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella are a classic combination. You’ll get a taste of the way both of them bite into those veggie burgers. They’re paired with quinoa – a complete protein that’s good for your gut – for a meatless patty that’s firm on the outside and soft on the inside. Pro tip: add green onions to the mixture for another layer of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Veggie Burger
Photo: Kitchenista Diaries
4. Vegan chipotle soup with black beans and tomatoes
This soup made from corn, red peppers, sweet onions and of course sun-dried tomatoes is bursting with summer products. They are all paired with black beans, which give the meal its abundance of protein and heart-healthy fiber. Of course, every good chipotle soup is packed with spices too, so make sure you have chipotle powder, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, garlic, paprika, and coriander on hand.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Chipotle Black Bean Tomato Soup
Photo: Cozy peach kitchen
5. Stew pasta made from sun-dried tomatoes
What would a sun-dried tomato recipe summary be without at least one delicious pasta dish? This one has a creamy, cheesy sauce, but is completely vegan. (Tip: You’ll need oat milk and nutritional yeast.) Spinach is also added, which adds fiber in the dish, and chopped garlic adds earthy warmth. The end result is a dinner that is comforting without being heavy.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Stew Pasta
Photo: Jersey Girl Cooks
6. Vegetarian pasta with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes
This is another easy, summery pasta recipe that is definitely worth a bookmark. In addition to sun-dried tomatoes, another underrated product is used: artichokes. Fresh basil and garlic are also incorporated, which improves both taste and nutritional benefits; Both herbs are full of heart and brain supporting antioxidants.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Pasta with Artichokes and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Photo: Cookie + Kate
7. Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Spinach, and Quinoa Salad
As the quinoa burger recipe has already proven, sun-dried tomatoes go great with cereals. Both are used to make this high-fiber salad that is a perfect side dish for summer grilling. Literally every single ingredient is packed with nutrients. And it only takes 25 minutes to make!
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomatoes, Spinach, and Quinoa Salad
Photo: Vikalinka
8. Fried parmesan broccoli with sun-dried tomatoes
There’s just something about toasted broccoli that makes it so damn satisfying – and when you add parmesan and garlic to the party it’s just irresistible. The sun-dried tomatoes add shine to the roasted vegetables and add complexity to the taste, despite being a simple dish. This is a simple page that you will keep coming back to.
Get the Recipe: Fried Parmesan Broccoli with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Photo: I Heart Vegetables
9. Sun-dried tomato bruschetta
If you have some friends for apps and wine, this is the perfect dish to serve and it takes 10 minutes to cook in total. The sun-dried tomatoes are layered on sliced baguette with ricotta cheese. Unsun-dried cherry tomatoes are also part of the topping, which really rounds off the tomato flavor overall.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Bruschetta
Photo: Original palate
10. Dried tomato and basil pesto with zoodles
This pasta dish is almost entirely vegetable; the only exception is the grilled chicken, which is added for protein (to make it completely vegan, use tofu instead). Even the pasta is from the vegetable department: zucchini! Think of this as the ideal midweek dinner – it’s full of fresh summer flavors like basil pesto and only lasts 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Basil Pesto with Zoodles
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