Simple braised tomatoes with basil and freshly toasted buttered croutons are the perfect side dish for comfort meals.
In this recipe
-
How to make stewed tomatoes
-
The importance of sugar
-
How to peel fresh tomatoes
-
Freeze stewed tomatoes
Braised tomatoes are a dish I have never eaten anywhere else but at home, cooked by my mother.
I’ve never seen them on a menu anywhere, have I? It’s a shame because they’re really tasty and so easy to make.
All you do is simmer peeled, chopped tomatoes on the stovetop with some butter, some sugar, salt and pepper, and herbs (I like to use basil) until the tomatoes have completely fallen apart and the flavors have had a chance to infuse mix. Top the hot braised tomatoes with some crunchy homemade croutons and you have a lovely tomato side dish.
Don’t skip the sugar
Here’s a tip: don’t leave out the butter and sugar! While you can reduce the sugar a bit if you’d like, some sugar is needed to balance the acidity of the tomatoes — unless you’re using unusually sweet tomatoes. Butter is essential for the flavor of this dish.
This batch of braised tomatoes was made with fresh market heirloom tomatoes. The better the quality of tomatoes you start with, the better the result will be. This means that during most of the year when fresh, juicy farm-grown tomatoes are not available, we will make braised tomatoes using good quality canned tomatoes.
What to serve with stewed tomatoes
You can serve braised tomatoes as an accompaniment to fried chicken, baked fish, or as a base for poached eggs as in shakshuka. You can serve it alongside or with pasta, or with white beans. One reader mentioned that he likes to serve it with macaroni and cheese.
Our favorite dish besides stewed tomatoes? THUN Macaroni Salad. There’s something about the buttery, warm braised tomatoes that’s the perfect balance for cool, fresh tuna salad.
How to peel fresh tomatoes
Blanching tomatoes beforehand makes it easier to remove the skin. To blanch tomatoes, slit their ends and place in boiling water for a minute. Remove and let cool until you can touch them. Once cool to the touch, the skins slide off easily.
Can You Freeze Braised Tomatoes?
Freezing braised tomatoes is a great way to easily preserve the bounty of summer. Store in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat over medium-high heat until warmed through.
What to serve with homemade stewed tomatoes
- Creamy baked mac and cheese
- liver and onions
- Fried catfish
- Baked cod with Ritz cracker topping
- Italian grilled cheese sandwiches
From the editors of Simply Recipes
Braised tomatoes with butter toasted croutons
This recipe uses unsalted butter. If using salted butter, reduce the salt and garlic salt in the recipe.
The sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Use less or more depending on your taste.
ingredients
Tomatoes:
-
2 lb fresh, ripe tomatoespeeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped (about 3 cups) or 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
-
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
-
4 teaspoon sugar
-
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
-
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
-
6 basil leaveschopped
Croutons
-
2 or 3 slices crispy French or Italian breadcut into 3/4 inch cubes
-
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
-
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
method
-
Cooking tomatoes with butter, sugar and spices:
In a small saucepan, place peeled, chopped tomatoes, butter, sugar, salt, and pepper. Heat on medium until simmering, then reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until tomatoes are cooked through and soft and flavors have mingled.
Add chopped basil and add more butter, sugar, salt and pepper if needed for balance.
-
Make the croutons while the tomatoes are simmering:
Melt 1 tbsp butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the bread cubes and arrange in a single layer on the pan. Cook gently over medium-high heat to allow the bread to dry out and lightly toast. Flip the pieces to toast other sides.
Bake for about 10 minutes or until croutons are crispy dry and lightly toasted. Sprinkle with garlic salt. Remove from stove.
-
Surcharge:
Serve braised tomatoes with a few croutons on each individual serving and the rest of the croutons in a small bowl to add as you like.
| nutritional information (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 233 | calories |
| 13g | Fat |
| 28g | carbohydrates |
| 5g | protein |
