Sliced, diced, cooked or raw, it's hard to go wrong with tomatoes. Whether you choose big, beefy heirloom tomatoes or a juicy cherry variety, the possibilities are endless for this versatile food. We've picked some of our tomato recipe favourites to bring vibrant colour and tastes to your table.
Tomato starters
How about a crunchy, tangy tomato starter? Bruschetta is an Italian dish that dates back to the Romans, when olive growers would let people sample their freshly-pressed oil with a slice of bread. Since then, it has evolved into a tomato-topped dish that delights diners daily.
There are many ways to make this classic starter. Don't worry if you can't decide on a bruschetta recipe. You don't have to. Check out our Tomato Bruschetta 2 Ways listing for a double-whammy plate that features both fresh and oven-roasted versions.
What's more heartwarming than a bowl of tomato soup? It's perfect for cold days, when it's raining outside and the couch is calling. This Chunky Tomato Soup recipe works just as well in a bowl or a big, comfy mug. It takes minutes to make, and contains smoked ham and vegetables. That makes it great as a starter, with bread for a full meal, or as a hearty mid-afternoon snack. Our Garlic Plus seasoning packs more flavour than you'd expect into this soul-warming soup. Don't blame us if you can't resist a second helping.
Tomato sauces
Tomatoes can easily create a homemade ketchup to die for. Layer on the complex, bitter-sweet flavor of grilled, charred tomatoes with sugar, cider vinegar, Club House Ground Allspice and smoky paprika in our Charred Tomato Ketchup. The fresh veggies that go into this dish create a taste bomb that will supercharge burgers and hot dogs straight off the grill. The biggest challenge will be letting this sauce simmer for 40 minutes without taking too many sneaky spoonfuls.
For something a little spicier, check out this Southwest Pico De Gallo recipe. Literally translated as "rooster's beak", this is a side sauce that brings a little extra heat to the party. Our take on this classic sauce mixes yellow heirloom tomatoes with deep purple red onion and green jalapeño peppers, making it look as good as it tastes. Jalapeños are plenty hot for many diners, but those with heat shields for taste buds can take things up a notch with a spicy serrano or even a fiery habanero.
Tomato salad
You can't go wrong with a tomato salad, especially one that mixes flavors as imaginatively as this Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe. Burst-in-the-mouth cherry tomatoes bring an explosion of sweetness to this dish, which also features crunchy red onion. The thing that really grabbed us about this salad was the tangy dressing, which blends our own Classic Yellow Mustard with cider vinegar and sugar. It creates a silky, tangy coating that takes simple ingredients to the next level.
Tomato mains
Tomatoes are just as at home in a hot dish as they are in a sauce, side or salad. Check out this Parmesan Tomato Rice dish for a different take on a family staple. Our Parmesan & Herbs mix blends with diced tomatoes and spinach to create a colourful meal. Frankly, it's just as good on its own as it is with another main.
Rice goes perfectly with our Tomato Basil Casserole recipe, which is a more complex main meal blending various herbs with a rich medley of veggies. This is a healthy dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Always try to have tomatoes somewhere handy. These juicy little wonders are a gift from nature. Used with a little imagination, they can be a gift to your kitchen, too.
