Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

Do you have a Trader Joe’s list? It’s a list of those items that you always and only buy at Trader Joe’s. My list includes nuts, dried fruit, parmesan and gorgonzola cheese, nut butters, lip balm and whatever frozen items catch my fancy—like frozen croissants. Swoon.

However, I live about 30 minutes away from the nearest Trader Joe’s so I only get over there about once a month. I used to always buy packages of sun-dried tomatoes there too. But not since I started making my own slow-roasted tomatoes.

It’s crazy how easy it is to make slow-roasted tomatoes. During the summer, I use grape tomatoes from our plants, our CSA farm and the farmers’ market. But now I buy big containers of grape tomatoes from BJs and start slicing them up. You can use any amount or type of herbs and, of course, add cheese if you wish.

Once they’re done roasting and have cooled down, I store them in the frig or, if I don’t think I’ll use all of them quickly enough, I freeze some.

These tomatoes add a pop of herby sweetness and color to any recipes that call for sun-dried tomatoes. Here are some ideas:

• Add to sautéed greens or broccoli rabe.
• Stuff into chicken breasts or pork chops along with spinach, pesto, and/or cheese.
• Chop fine and include in dredges or crusts for fish, chicken or pork.
• Add to pasta dishes or mac and cheese—try linguine with garlic, fresh herbs (basil, thyme, oregano and/or flat-leaf parsley), slow-roasted tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, oh my.
• Add to chickpea, pasta or potato salads.
• Make a vinaigrette out of them.
• Serve on toasted slices of a baguette spread with goat cheese.
• Add to sandwiches—I always add them to my morning egg sandwich.
• Serve on top of cream cheese-schmeared bagels.

Now you see why I make them all the time. Get yourself some summer goodness in the middle of the winter—slow roast some grape tomatoes!

Slow-Roasted Tomatoes | Grabbing the Gusto

Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

You’ll need a baking sheet, that’s all.

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black garlic (Obis One Black Crack) or minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 pounds grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
• Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 200. Combine all the ingredients except cooking spray. Toss gently to coat. Arrange tomatoes, cut sides up, on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Roast at 200 for 3 hours.

5 years ago on Gusto: Chicken Parmigiana