Using Tomatoes from Your Garden

Make Chili Sauce, Tomato Tart, and Shepherds Pie from Tomatoes

© Deborah Harding

Aug 15, 2009

Tomatoes are ripening on the vine and it is time to look up some recipes where they can be used to their fullest potential. Tomatoes are an integral ingredient in spaghetti sauce, but there they can also be used in many other recipes to impart their flavorful zest.

Try homemade chili sauce on your hot dogs during your next Super Bowl party. This sauce cannot be beat.

Chili Sauce

Ingredients:

• 12 large tomatoes, peeled
• 3 large sweet peppers (if using sweet banana peppers use 4), chopped
• 6 small hot peppers (hot Italian banana peppers), chopped
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon celery seed

Directions:

1. Core and cut peeled tomatoes into wedges and place in a large pot to boil for about 5 minutes.
2. Add peppers and onions and stir well.
3. Add sugar and vinegar and move flame to low.
4. Cook slowly (at a simmer) for 1 hour.
5. Add spices, salt and celery seed and simmer on low, covered for 2 to 3 hours or until mixture looks dark and rich. Be sure to stir every once in awhile to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot.
6. After mixture cools place in bottles or jars.
7. Store in refrigerator. Will keep refrigerated about 3 months.

The following tomato tart is made with Phyllo or filo dough which can be found in the grocery store in the frozen section. It is very thin, almost papery dough that turns fluffy and crisp when baked. This tart is somewhat like a pizza but with a different texture and it is just plain delicious.

Tomato Tart

Ingredients:

• 7 sheets phyllo dough, completely thawed
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted
• 7 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese, divided
• ¾ cup onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 6 tomatoes sliced very thin (Roma are best – use 8 because they are small but you can use any tomato)
• 6 basil leaves, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray with non stick spray or brush with vegetable oil.
3. Lay 1 sheet of Phyllo dough on paper and brush with melted butter.
4. Sprinkle over 1 tablespoon Parmesan.
5. Repeat layering 5 more times. You will have used 6 sheets of phyllo dough.
6. Place the 7th sheet of dough on top and brush with all the remaining butter and sprinkle on the last tablespoon Parmesan.
7. Top with onion slices and mozzarella.
8. Arrange tomato slices in single layer that overlap.
9. Sprinkle with basil, salt and pepper.
10. Bake about 30 minutes or until phyllo dough has turned a golden brown.
11. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes.
12. Cut in 3 inch squares and serve.

Makes 20 squares.

NOTE: Cut the tomatoes very thin because the juice will evaporate while cooking and the crust will not come out soggy.

Shepherds Pie

Use your own canned tomatoes or just buy a can in the store

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1-1/2 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 cup frozen green beans, French cut, thawed
• 1 cup canned tomatoes
• 2 large potatoes, cooked and mashed
• 1 egg, beaten
• ½ cup water
• 1 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray a 2 quart casserole dish with non stick spray.
3. In a skillet over medium heat pour in oil.
4. Add onion and garlic and cook 3 to 5 minutes stirring frequently.
5. Stir in ground beef and brown well for about 10 minutes.
6. Add basil, green beans and tomatoes and cook for about 5 more minutes.
7. Transfer beef mixture to casserole.
8. In a mixing bowl mash potatoes add egg and water and mix well.
9. Spread on top of casserole.
10. Place in oven and bake 15 minutes or until the potatoes are browned.
11. Sprinkle cheese on top and place back in oven for 5 minutes.
12. Remove and let sit for at least 8 minutes. Serve.

Use your tomato harvest to make the above recipes and enjoy the flavor only a tomato can impart.

vine ripened tomatoes

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