Category: Recipes

Do you want to bring the authentic taste of Italy into your home this summer? Rather than buying a tube of tomato passata, why not try making your own and embrace the classic culture of Italy? It’s easier than you may think, just follow the steps below!

Ingredients:

• 5kg ripe red tomatoes, washed and halved
• 500g onions, chopped
• 1 garlic bulb, cloves separated, peeled, bruised
• 1/2 cup (125ml) olive oil
• 1 bunch basil, leaves torn

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease 2 baking trays and line with baking paper.
2. Spread tomatoes, onion, and garlic evenly across prepared trays, then season with 1 tbs salt flakes and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Divide oil evenly between trays while tossing to combine. Roast (swapping trays halfway) for 45 minutes. Set aside to cool for 30 minutes, then stir through basil.
3. Pass tomato mixture through a sieve into a bowl, extracting as much juice as possible.
4. Pour the passata into hot jars.
5. Line the base of a large stockpot (it should be deep enough to submerge the jars under water) with a tea towel and add jars.
6. Roughly matching the water temperature to the temperature of the jars, pour in enough water to completely cover the jars. Slowly bring to the boil over medium heat. Boil for 40 minutes ensuring that jars are always submerged.
7. Using a heatproof jug, remove enough water from the pot to allow you to carefully remove jars from water using oven gloves. Set aside at room temperature overnight.
8. The next day, the jar lids should be concave, if lids are not concave, passata should be stored chilled and used within 2 weeks. Sealed jars can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.

Bruschetta is one of the most popular dishes worldwide, its refreshing and delicious taste ensures that it is the go-to starter for many foodies and is a great way to cleanse your palette before tucking into a main meal. Below, we have detailed a unique spin on the traditional bruschetta that you can use this summer to make your starters brusch-better!

Ingredients:

• Tomato seeds and skin mixture (recipe below)
• Olive oil, to cover, plus extra to drizzle
• 4 slices sourdough, grilled
• Dried chilli flakes, oregano and thyme, to serve
• Tomato seeds and skin mixture
• 5kg ripe red tomatoes, washed and halved
• 500g onions, chopped
• 1 garlic bulb, cloves separated, peeled, bruised

Method for tomato seeds and skin mixture:

1. To make the tomato seeds and skin mixture, preheat the oven to 180°C, grease 2 baking trays and line with baking paper.
2. Spread tomatoes, onion, and garlic evenly across prepared trays, then season with 1 tbs salt flakes and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Divide oil evenly between trays and toss to combine. Roast (swapping trays halfway) for 45 minutes. Set aside to cool for 30 minutes, then stir in the basil.
3. Pass tomato mixture through a sieve into a bowl. Repeat several times, together with the seeds and skins to remove as much juice as possible. Collect any remaining seeds and skins to make the tomato conserva.

Method for the conseva bruschetta:

1. Preheat the oven to 100°C. Grease a large baking tray and line with baking paper.
2. Spread tomato seeds and skin mixture over the prepared tray and roast for 1 hour 45 minutes.
3. Transfer roasted seeds and skin to a bowl and, using a stick blender, combine until smooth, then tightly pack into a sterilised jar. Cover with a 1cm-deep layer of oil and store, chilled, for up to 1 month.
4. To make bruschetta, spread tomato conserva onto grilled sourdough and drizzle with extra oil. Scatter with chilli flakes, oregano, and thyme to serve. Enjoy!

Need a quick and easy meal to fit in with your busy summer schedule? These tomato and salami pizzas are the perfect dish for you, with a prep time of only 8 minutes and 3 simply steps!

Ingredients

• 2 Lebanese breads
• 1/3 cup (90g) basil pesto
• 2 x 150g torn buffalo mozzarella balls
• 1 tsp dried chilli flakes
• 1 long green chilli, thinly sliced
• 10 slices hot salami
• 250g mixed cherry tomatoes, some halved
• 1/3 cup (40g) pitted green olives
• Basil leaves, to serve
• Extra virgin olive oil, to serve

Method

Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 250°C. Place breads on a large baking tray or individual trays.

Step 2 – Spread pesto evenly over each bread and top with mozzarella, dried chilli, green chilli, salami, tomatoes, and olives. Bake for 8 minutes or until base is crisp and cheese has melted.

Step 3 – Season with black pepper, drizzle with olive oil and top with basil to serve – enjoy!

Are you a seafood lover? You can’t go wrong with a fish-dish, especially in the summer, so why not combine your love for seafood with the juicy and succulent taste of tomatoes? Continue reading to find out the ingredients and method of how to make this perfect summer server…

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 bunch basil, leaves picked, extra to serve if required
• 1⁄2 bunch tarragon, leaves picked Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon, plus extra wedges to serve
• 1 garlic clove
• 24 large green prawns, peeled and cleaned, tails intact
• 1⁄4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 6 medium truss tomatoes, halved

Method

Step 1 – For the prawn marinade, place the basil, tarragon, lemon juice and zest, garlic and olive oil in a food processor, season, and blend to a rough paste.

Step 2 – Thread a prawn onto a skewer, then a tomato half, then another prawn. Repeat with remaining prawns and tomatoes to make 12 skewers. Brush all with the paste.

Step 3 – Preheat barbecue or chargrill over a high heat. Cook the prawn skewers for 2-3 minutes a side until just cooked through. Serve with extra lemon wedges and basil leaves for a refreshing taste. 

Enjoy!

Have you been struggling to find a light and refreshing dish to serve this Summer? Whether you want to impress your friends at a barbeque, master a dish that takes only 15 minutes to prep, or you just want to try something new, then this tomato and plum salad is the perfect summer server for you!

Ingredients

• 800g tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 4 red plums, cut into wedges
• Finely grated zest of 1/2 a lemon
• 2 tsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp sumac
• 1/2 bunch tarragon, leaves picked and torn

Method

Step 1 – Combine tomatoes, plums, lemon zest and 1/4 tsp salt flakes in a bowl and set aside for 5 minutes to marinate.

Step 2 – Once marinaded, add vinegar, oil, sumac and three-quarters tarragon. Toss ingredients until well combined.

Step 3 – Spread salad across a serving platter, scatter with remaining tarragon and serve, enjoy!

Who doesn’t love the timeless classic of a good old spaghetti and meatballs? Why not add some extra flavour to this meal with some tomatoes, follow this simple recipe to find out how!

Ingredients –

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 600g pork sausages, (meat rolled into 2cm balls, chilled for 10 minutes)
• 600g tomato pasta sauce
• 250g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 400g spaghetti
• 2 tbsp shredded basil
• 1/2 cup (40g) finely grated parmesan

Method –

Step 1 – Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat and cook the meatballs for 3-4 minutes until browned all over.

Step 2 – Add the pasta sauce and cherry tomatoes to the pan, then season. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-6 minutes.

Step 3 – Cook the pasta in a saucepan of boiling, salted water according to the packet instructions, once finished, drain the pasta.

Step 4 – Mix the pasta with the sauce and season. Serve the spaghetti and meatballs topped with basil and parmesan.

Is this a recipe you’ll be trying at home?

Tomato Tart with Balsamic Glaze

This year marks the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and in keeping with the current regal theme in Britain, we will be sharing a recipe with you that is fit for royalty… a fresh tomato tart with balsamic glaze that is quick and easy for you to make at your street parties!

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet vegan-friendly puff pastry
• A generous drizzle of organic balsamic glaze
• 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
• 350-400g fresh cherry tomatoes
• 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
• 2 tbsp plant milk as your egg wash

For the tofu ricotta:

• 350g silken tofu
• A bunch of fresh basil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp nooch

Method:

1. Place your puff pastry at room temperature for a minimum of 30 minutes, and gently unroll it.
2. For the tofu ricotta, place all ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. Spread the tofu ricotta across your puff pastry sheet, leaving roughly 1cm of edge on each side.
3. Then place your tomatoes on top and spread them across the entire sheet.
4. Mix the balsamic glaze with the plant milk for your egg wash and brush the edges of the pastry sheet.
5. Transfer to a preheated oven at 200C and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the pastry edges are golden and the cherry tomatoes roasted.
6. Sprinkle the tart with toasted pine nuts and generously drizzle with organic balsamic glaze.

Serve up and enjoy hot or cold!

Start your summer right with this tasty tomato paella recipe…

Ingredients:

• 3 ½ cups stock or water
• 1 ½ pounds ripe tomatoes, cored and cut into thick wedges
•  Salt and black pepper
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 minced medium onion
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tsp paprika
• 2 cups Spanish or other short-grain rice

Method:

Step 1 – Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Warm stock or water in a saucepan. Put tomatoes in a medium bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper, drizzle with 1 tbsp of olive oil.

Step 2 – Put remaining oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook for 3-5 minutes until vegetables soften.

Step 3 – Stir in tomato paste and paprika, cook for a minute more. Add rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is shiny. Add liquid and stir until just combined.

Step 4 – Put tomato wedges on top of rice and drizzle with juices from the bottom of the bowl. Put the pan in the oven and roast for 15 minutes. When the rice is ready, let the pan sit for 5-15 minutes.

Step 5 – Sprinkle the contents with parsley.

Serve and enjoy!

Why not have a taste of breakfast for dinner with our simple and tasty recipe for an egg bacon and tomato tart?

Ingredients:

• 200g sour cream or creme fraiche
• 2 tsp chopped thyme leaves, plus extra to serve
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 150g halved cherry tomatoes
• 2 truss tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 6 smoky bacon rashers
• 6 eggs
• 2 tbs pure (thin) cream
• 2 tbs finely grated cheddar cheese

For the Cheddar Pastry:

• 125g each plain and wholemeal flour
• 150g chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 100g cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
• 1 egg
• 1 tbs white vinegar

Method:

Step 1 – For the cheddar pastry: combine the flours, butter, cheddar, and a pinch of salt in a food processor and pulse until combined but maintain small lumps of butter.

Step 2 – Merge the egg and vinegar in a bowl, mixing with a fork, then add to the mixture. Gently add the dry ingredients until a rough dough forms.

Step 3 – Lightly knead to form into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate to rest for 1 hour.

Step 4 – Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface to a rectangle and line a baking tray, pressing into the corners. Trim so the edges overhang the sides by about 2cm. Refrigerate until required.

Step 5 – Preheat the oven to 180°C. Combine sour cream, thyme, and mustard in a bowl and spread over the base of the tart.

Step 6 – Spread tomatoes over the top, leaving six gaps (these gaps are where the eggs will fit). Tear the bacon into rough pieces and tuck around the tomatoes.

Step 7 – Crack an egg into each gap. Drizzle over the cream, scatter with the cheddar and season, then gently fold in the overhanging pastry to form a rough border.

Step 8 – Bake for 30-35 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and the eggs are set. Serve the tart warm or at room temperature.

Enjoy!

Fancy adding a different flavour to your tomatoes? We’ve got you covered with an easy to follow and delicious recipe for garlic fried tomatoes!

Ingredients:

• 4x large, ripe tomatoes
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 crushed garlic

Method:

Step 1 – Gently pan fry the extra virgin olive oil.

Step 2 – Slice the tomatoes evenly through the middle.

Step 3 – Add the halved tomatoes to the pan and allow them to soften, then add the crushed garlic and infuse the ingredients.

Step 4 – Serve and enjoy!

Perfect servers – This recipe is perfect to serve as a starter with any bread of your choice. Also pairs well with small plates such as hummus and kibbeh which will add to the Middle Eastern origin of the dish.