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Sun-dried
tomatoes are so concentrated and intense, it only takes a small amount
to give recipes extra color, flavor and excitement.
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Dried naturally in the sun or artificially in the oven, these dark red
tomatoes are intensely
sweet and very chewy. Their rich flavor complements dips,
salads,
sauces,
pastas,
sandwiches and many other dishes. They can also be eaten out of hand as a snack.
Varieties
Sun-dried tomatoes can be
made at home (especially wonderful if you
have a tomato garden) or purchased at the market. The halves or slices
are typically sold packed in
oil (softer) or dry-packed in cellophane (more chewy).
Storage Tips
Unopened oil- and dry-packed tomatoes can be stored at room temperature
for up to a year. Once opened, oil-packed tomatoes should be covered
with olive oil and refrigerated for up to three months. Dry-packed
tomatoes can be stored in a zipper bag in a cool, dark place for up to
six months.
Preparation Tips
• To rehydrate dry-packed tomatoes, cover them with hot water and soak for about 30 minutes. Drain before using.
• To soften dry-packed tomatoes, let them soak in
olive oil at room
temperature for 24 hours. Save the remaining oil to drizzle over bread
or make
salad dressing.
• For easy chopping, use kitchen shears coated with
cooking spray instead of a knife.
Usage Tips
• Chop and mix into
ground beef for flavorful burgers.
• Add to couscous along with Romano cheese and
Italian parsley.
• Puree tomatoes combine with
sour cream to make a dip.
• Use as a topping for
pizza, pasta salads and
muffaletta sandwiches.
• Add snipped sun-dried tomatoes to vegetables as you steam or cook them.
Try one of our favorite sun-dried tomato recipes:
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Dip
Penne with Creamy Tomato Tuna Sauce
Turkey Meatloaf with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Suggested Pairings
basil, beef, chicken, olives, onions, oregano, Parmesan, pasta, pine nuts, risotto, sage, salmon, sausage, stuffing, tuna
