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Author: Amy Riley

Classic Tomato Pasta Bake

Posted on by Amy Riley

Ever run out of mid week family meal ideas? Well, look no further with this super easy Classic Tomato Pasta Bake.

Ingredients

  • 50g butter
  • garlic 2 cloves, crushed
  • 1 onion
  • 2x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • basil
  • 250g rigatoni
  • 100ml double cream
  • 50g, finely grated parmesan
  • 2 x 125g balls mozzarella

Method

Step 1- Heat the butter into a pan, add the garlic and onion and cook for 10 minuets over a low heat.

Step 2- Add the tomatoes and sugar and cook until thickened. Stir in the basil. 

Step 3- Next, add in the double cream, parmesan, rigatoni and mozzarella.

Step 4- Pour mix into a baking dish and bake for 10minuets.

Enjoy!

Variety of the month – Piccolo

Posted on by Amy Riley

Learn more about our tomato varieties we grow here at R&L Holt with our top 5 ‘did you know’ facts… 

Tomato variety of this month is Piccolo!

Did you know…

1- We first started to trial this variety over 20 years ago and at Hornsfield Nurseries this has been the main type for 18 years.

2- Piccolo is most popular variety in Northern Europe.

3- They are sweet, but not sugary, slightly acidic taste with intense long lasting distinctive flavour and aroma.

4- This variety is great to eat with warm or cold dishes. 

5- Piccolo variety are a cherry on the Vine type of tomato.

Is this your favourite type of tomato? 

Low Calorie Roasted Sun Dried Tomato Soup

Posted on by Amy Riley

Fancy a nice cup of warm soup in this wintry weather BUT without the high sugar and high calories? Well, why not try making this super tasty but super low calorie, low sugar tomato soup. Only 162 calories per serving! 

Ingredients 

  • 600g tomatoes (Arlinta) 
  • Coconut oil spray
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • Salt & pepper
  • 1/3 cup red onions
  • 1/3 cup sliced carrots
  • 30g sun- dried tomatoes
  • 3 tbsp fresh low fat cream
  • 150ml fat free milk
  • 3 tsp sweetener 

Method

Preheat the oven

Step 1- Spray a baking tray with coconut oil

Step 2- Add the veggies to the tray with the spices and salt & pepper

Step 3- Bake for 45mins

Step 4- Once the veggies are slightly cooled, add them to a blender along with the cream, sweetener, sun-dried tomatoes and milk.

Step 5- Blend until smooth

Step 6- Add more salt & pepper to taste, if necessary 

Makes 2 servings. 

Enjoy!

Fladbury Festive 5- Results

Posted on by Amy Riley

Sunday 9th January, saw 200 runners take part in our annual Fladbury Festive 5 fun run. The weather was on our side and the atmosphere was great amongst all competitors. All runners also enjoyed the extra addition in their goodie bags this year, our ‘Strabena’ tomato from Sandylands lit crop!

Thank you so much to everyone who took part and made the day happen.

Here is a link to the results https://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/2QS

“The race is not possible without the most amazing team – UKA race officials, WMAS, community first responders, venue owners, tomato growers, the entry and timing company, Fladbury community, friends and family. But especially race director Julie Cross who made the race happen again today. Together we seem to have made a lot of runners happy and raised some money for FOF & Alzheimer’s Research UK. Thank you.” Louise

Top Health Benefits of Eating Tomatoes

Posted on by Amy Riley

New Year, New You? Are you on a health kick this January? Well let’s explore some of the top health benefits tomatoes provide us.

  • Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C and vitamin K
  • Tomatoes are a good source of fibre
  • Tomatoes help to lower the risk of heart diseases, particularly for middle aged men
  • Tomatoes are considered a great contributor to healthy skin
  • Tomatoes help to protect the inner layers of our blood vessels, decreasing the chances of blood clots

So if your new years resolution is to get healthier then start incorporate tomatoes into your diet! Plus they are super tasty. 

Easy Tomato Risotto

Posted on by Amy Riley

Making a tasty risotto doesn’t have to involve hours of cooking. Here is a quick and easy but SUPER TASTY tomato risotto recipe for you to try.

Ingredients 

  • 250g risotto rice
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 50g butter
  • 250ml vegetable stock 
  • 500ml carton passata 
  • 500g Cherry tomatoes
  • 100g mozzarella
  • Grated parmesan

Step 1- Place rice, onion and half the butter into a bowl. Microwave on high for 3mins.

Step 2- Stir in the passata and stock. Cook for another 10mins. 

Step 3- Mix in the tomatoes and mozzarella, cook for another 8mins. 

Step 4- Once the rice is cooked and the tomatoes are soft, stir in the remaining butter and parmesan. 

Enjoy.  

Variety of the month- Duelle

Posted on by Amy Riley

Learn more about our tomato varieties we grow here at R&L Holt with our top 5 ‘did you know’ facts… 

Tomato Variety of this month is Duelle!

Did you know…

1- Duelle tomatoes are a baby plum snack variety

2- Are high in flavour and crunchy in texture 

3- Are perfect on their own or accompanied in both warm or cold dishes

4- Have a high yield potential

5- Are attractive in appearance making them very popular

Are you a fan our Duelle tomatoes? 

Christmassy Tomato Wedges 

Posted on by Amy Riley

Fancy trying something different at your family Christmas buffet this year? Why not spice things up with some festive tomato wedges. Super quick and super easy to make.

Ingredients

  • 6 fresh tomatoes, ideally roterno variety 
  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil 
  • Snipped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions 
  • Garlic clove, smashed
  • 2 tablespoons mayonaise
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dill weed
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil 
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar

Step 1- Cut tomatoes into wedges and place into a large bowl.

Step 2- Blend together all other ingredients to create the dressing.

Step 3- Pour and gently toss dressing over tomatoes. 

Ready to service and enjoy!

5 Fun Facts about Tomatoes

Posted on by Amy Riley

ONE- Not all tomatoes are red

Did you know… not all tomatoes are red! They can come in a variety of colours including; yellow, pink, black, white and even purple. Here at R&L Holt our Yelorita variety of tomatoes are yellow. This type is a cherry on the vine tomato with a beautiful appearance and unique flavour. 

 

TWO- Tomatoes are a fruit

You may have this debate with your family and friends… “Are tomatoes a fruit or vegetable?”. However, we can confirm that they are a fruit. This is because a fruit is defined as an edible part of a plant containing seeds. 

 

THREE- The word tomato is Spanish 

In the English language, the word tomato actually comes from the Spanish word ‘tomate’ 

 

FOUR- There are over 10 thousands tomato varieties 

Here at R&L Holt, every season we have a trial area which can consist of 30 types all with different features, from colour, shape and size. However, there are actually over 10 thousand varieties, plenty for us to trial. 

 

FIVE- Tomatoes are known to help support a healthy heart

The fruit contains anti- inflammatory properties that are linked to supporting general heart and brain health. 

Winter Tomato Shortage Explained

Posted on by Amy Riley

Noticed a shortage in tomatoes this Winter? Heres why…

Our winter crops are well underway and there is Piccolo, Yelorita, Roterno, Elegance and Strabena available from Sandyland Nurseries.

However, there are fewer winter crops that have been planted this year because of the high energy costs. It is not just in the UK but throughout Europe. The reason is that supplementary lighting is required to produce at this time of year and if you’re not generating on site or using low energy lighting such as the LED lights then it is a huge challenge.

It is challenging times for all growers in the UK. We are all committed to improving our efficiencies by using less energy, therefore less carbon, and more sustainable materials.

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