Tomatoes

Tomato and Bread Soup – to serve cold or hot

Published at In Category Recipes, Tomatoes

From Hetty Lui McKinnon, author of “To Vegetables, With Love.” McKinnon’s note about this recipe: “It is hard to describe how alive this soup feels. When using such sparse ingredients, there is nowhere to hide. The vivacity of this soup fervently reflects the integrity of the ingredients used. It tastes of vines ripened by the sun, grassy, musky, and earthy. It offers the essence of tomatoes, without the astringency. The soup is inspired by a Spanish tomato and bread soup called salmorejo, which typically features sherry vinegar, and is served topped with boiled egg and ham. I developed this recipe to be eaten cold, however when I served it, my son requested for it to be heated up. Hence, we have a soup that can be served at both temperatures. There are optional toppings of bread croutons, feta or other soft, salty cheese, or tahini.”

I’ll substitute about 1/4 of that sweet onion in the box for the green onions the recipe calls for. Love that this takes maybe 5 minutes to make and then just needs to sit in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

Chile-Crisp Tofu, Tomatoes and Cucumbers

Published at In Category Cucumbers, Recipes, Tomatoes

Adapted from the New York Times.

The note from Ali Slagle that accompanied the recipe: “With cucumbers, tomatoes, browned tofu and a punchy dressing, this recipe’s combination of hot, cold, juicy and snappy makes for a refreshing lunch or light dinner. Inspired by Chinese smashed cucumber salads, many of which include dried chiles or chile oil, this recipe’s piquant and spicy dressing uses chile crisp as well as lemon juice, raw garlic and soy sauce. The only cooking that’s required is searing the tofu, which helps it drink up more of the dressing. Eat it over rice or salad greens, and feel free to embellish with thinly sliced snap peas or celery, cilantro and sesame oil, seeds or paste.”