I love sundried tomatoes and even more, sunblush tomatoes! But given that they are excrutiatingly expensive in my part of the world, I don't get to eat them that often. So imagine how pleased I was to find that Nigella (yes, again) has a ridiculously easy recipe for making your own sunblush tomatoes. She calls "moonblush tomatoes" as you leave them to dry overnight. She says she's addicted to making them and I think I'm going to be too.
INGREDIENTS
- 500g (about 24) on-the-vine cherry or other baby tomatoes (you can also use regular tomatoes, sliced roughly like in photo above)
- 2 tsp Maldon salt or 1 tsp table salt
- 1/4 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 x 15ml tablespoons olive oil
METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees Celcius
2. Cut the tomatoes in half and sit them cut side up in an ovenproof dish. Sprinkle with the salt, sugar, thyme and olive oil.
3. Put them in the oven, and immediately turn it off. Leave the tomatoes in the oven overnight or for a day without opening the door.
That's it! Personally, I find it's best to make this when you have just baked something and your oven needs to cool down anyway. Better use of energy! 
The next day you are rewarded with these! They will go great with pasta, salads, sandwiches, and even in frittata, soups and savoury tarts!
Is Nigella aware that this breeds bacteria overnight? It only works when the weather is dry not when it's humid like in Singapore. Be careful of food poisoning. You should bake it in low heat overnight.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking off my head, would my dehumidifier work for this?
ReplyDeleteinteresting!
They look yummilicious! I think this is a brilliant idea for tasty yet cost-effective sun-dried, er, moonblush tomatoes. Best part is that they're easy enough for a complete novice like me! :D
ReplyDeleteAnon: Thanks. I'd be more concerned if I was leaving this overnight exposed on the countertop, at room temperature and tropical humidity. But this is going on mostly in a hot and dry oven, albeit switched off. Outside humidity shouldn't matter that much. Unfortunately, baking it even at the lowest possible heat doesn't produce the same results.
ReplyDeleteTell you what, I'll be the guinea pig. Will eat this and see if anything happens to me. Somebody give me a Nobel Prize already! Like that doctor who swallowed Helicobacter Pylori to prove it causes ulcers! LOL
Southernoise: interesting thought. I suspect you may get dried tomatoes without the slight caramelization from oven heat? Well, there's only one way to find out for sure!
Kenny: haha, so humble! I'm sure you're no novice!
How simple and delicious. I'm going to try these. I also grow "currant tomatoes" which are no bigger than a pea. They breed by the minute. I'm thinking I can toss handfuls of currant tomatoes on the pan with the seasonings and do this -- without even cutting them. I shall try that this summer.
ReplyDeletecam, beautiful shot! :D You have been cooking often recently~ *clap* i should give Nigella a try too sometime soon ^^
ReplyDeleteAmanda
You've shown me something new! Those tomatoes look awesome.
ReplyDeletewow! the sunblush tomato looks nice!
ReplyDeletei love sundried tomatoes too...and this is definitely a recipe to keep...all thanks to the domestic goddess...dontcha just lurve her? lol!
ReplyDeleteand i must say, u pics have been absolutely gorgeous!
I noticed a lot of differences in food safety concerns after I moved from Singapore to London. The coolish, dry atmosphere in the UK means that people are less hung-up about germs! Anyway, this is a great idea. I'm going to make a batch when tomatoes come into season...
ReplyDeletei always buy sundried tomatoes from CStorage which is expensive.
ReplyDeletelet me make this and keep them in the fridge. yummmm...
(when southernoise talk about his dehumidifier, i suddenly thought what happens when you put them in the clothes dryer! mine comes with a rack where you can dry things without it tossing around.. LOL)
Kate: currant tomatoes? how yummy! wish I could grow some too!
ReplyDeleteAmanda: do try! Nigella seldom disappoints!
Abby and LIC: thanks!
Nic: oh yes, how not to lurrrve Nigella! thanks regards the pics! yours too have been scrumptious!
K-man: yeah lor cold storage so expensive! hmm! dryer? you sure do get very creative ideas! but clothes dryer may be too hot if operating. and you may end up with tomato flavoured clothes next time!
Camemberu, wah, atta girl, lau niah leh. 'Sigh' only I know how to appreciate this in my household.
ReplyDeleteHungrybear aka HB
Looks interesting. I might try this out when I ran out of ideas. :P
ReplyDeletehttp://crizfood.blogspot.com/