Solar-Dried Tomatoes: Your Umami-Packed Secret Weapon within the Kitchen

Whenever you consider sun-dried tomatoes as greater than only a specialty ingredient, there’s no finish to the methods you need to use them within the kitchen. Right here’s every part it is advisable to know concerning the scrumptious dried items, together with how they’re made, tips on how to rehydrate them, and tips on how to maximize the ability of their umami-rich, flavor-boosting properties in your favourite recipes.

Solar-dried tomatoes are precisely what they sound like: tomatoes which have been dried within the solar or dehydrated in sun-like warmth to protect them. As they dry, the tomatoes darken and shrivel into flat, wrinkled rounds with a pliable texture much like dried fruit.

However in contrast to dried fruit, sun-dried tomatoes usually are not meant to be eaten plain. The feel is somewhat too chewy, somewhat too bland, though the drying course of concentrates the tomatoes’ pure umami qualities. As soon as they’re rehydrated and/or marinated, their wealthy, complicated flavors are launched and their agency flesh plumps up and turns into somewhat extra tender, revealing their true potential.

Though you’ll generally discover oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes on the retailer, Forks Over Knives recommends choosing dry-packed varieties, to keep away from including pointless fats to your dishes. Pouches of dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes might be discovered alongside dried fruits, on shows within the produce part, and in bulk bins at supermarkets. They’re typically stocked beside jars of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes within the canned items or pasta aisles, as effectively.

Verify for freshness: Give pouches a fast twist and shake to ensure the tomatoes inside nonetheless really feel pliable. If shopping for from a bulk bin, use the tongs to bend a tomato to ensure it isn’t too laborious or dry.

Sulfites: In case you are delicate to sulfites, a preservative typically used to protect tomatoes’ coloration, examine the label to ensure the model is sulfite-free.

Drying tomatoes within the sizzling summer time solar has been a meals preservation method since historic occasions. Native Individuals sun-dried tomatoes together with berries and corn.

After tomatoes made their option to Europe and have become a staple in Italy, Italians would dry tomatoes on the tile roofs of their houses. These days, most sun-dried tomatoes are made in amenities that begin the drying course of in a dehydrator and end it on giant wooden trays within the solar. (You may see the method right here in a video from The Produce Nerd.)

Some producers dry the tomatoes by dehydrator alone and/or deal with the tomatoes with sulfites reminiscent of sulfur dioxide to maintain them a brilliant, vibrant pink and enhance storage life. Along with triggering sensitivities for some folks, these processes also can affect the flavour and texture of the tomatoes. To not fear, although: If the sun-dried tomatoes you purchase appear somewhat blah, simply attempt one other model till you discover one you want.

In case you’re utilizing sun-dried tomatoes in a brothy dish like a soup, stew, or pasta sauce, you could not have to rehydrate solar–dried tomatoes; the new liquid within the recipe ought to do the trick. However for different makes use of, rehydrating is the key to unlocking the tangy-sweet, ultra-tomato-ey wonderfulness of sun-dried tomatoes. And rehydrating them proper is the key to reworking them from skinny, chewy disks into plump, tender morsels. Right here’s tips on how to do it within the microwave or on the range.

1. Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a microwave-safe bowl. Add twice the quantity of water or low-sodium vegetable broth (for instance, use 2 cups liquid for 1 cup tomatoes). Cowl and microwave on excessive energy for two minutes.

2. Depart to plump within the water for 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry.

1. Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a small saucepan. Add twice as a lot water or low-sodium vegetable broth (for instance, use 2 cups liquid for 1 cup tomatoes).

2. Activate warmth and produce simply to a simmer, then take away from the warmth and allow them to plump for 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry.

Retailer unopened packages of dry-pack sun-dried tomatoes in a cool, darkish, dry place. After opening, examine the product label for storage directions. Some manufacturers suggest refrigerating after opening; others don’t. In case you see no point out of refrigeration, maintain sun-dried tomatoes of their packaging or switch to a tight-sealing container, and retailer in a cool, darkish, dry place.

Until you reside in a local weather with sizzling summers, low humidity, and few tomato-loving bugs, your greatest wager for sun-drying tomatoes at house is within the kitchen. Right here’s tips on how to make your personal within the oven, meals dehydrator, or air fryer.

1. Wash and halve ripe, peak-season tomatoes lengthwise, then squeeze out many of the juice and seeds from the facilities. (You may add the juice to different recipes, or simply to drink it!)

2. Place the tomatoes, minimize sides up, on a parchment-lined baking sheet, on dehydrator trays, or in an air-fryer basket.

3. Sprinkle the tomatoes with somewhat sea salt. (This step is elective, however the salt helps draw the moisture from the tomatoes in order that they dry extra evenly.)

4. Set the oven or air fryer to 240˚F; if utilizing a dehydrator, set the thermostat to 160˚F. Depart the tomatoes to dry within the oven for 4 to six hours, within the air fryer for 60 to 90 minutes, or within the dehydrator for 8 to 10 hours, till they’re dry and agency however nonetheless pliable. The tomatoes could take extra time if they’re particularly giant or juicy.

5. Enable the tomatoes to chill, then gently loosen them from the pan or tray and switch them to an hermetic container. Retailer within the fridge for a number of weeks or within the freezer for a number of months. (As a result of moisture ranges can differ when drying tomatoes at house, it’s greatest to refrigerate or freeze them to keep away from molding and spoilage.)

Acquired a salad dressing that tastes so-so? A dip that’s a tiny bit drab? A soup or stew that wants an additional one thing? Or possibly you simply wish to jazz up a throw-together weeknight meal so it tastes somewhat particular. Solar-dried tomatoes to the rescue! Right here’s tips on how to use the little taste bombs to reinforce all kinds of savory recipes.

Sauces: Mix 1 or 2 rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes right into a sauce or salad dressing to spherical out flavors.

Dips and spreads: Stir 1 to 2 Tbsp. (or extra) finely chopped rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes right into a dip or unfold for added texture. Or mix them in with the opposite components for heightened taste.

Soups and stews: Simmer ¼ to ½ cup diced dry-pack sun-dried tomatoes with the opposite components in a soup or stew for a young, chewy factor that brightens up the entire recipe.

Freestyle umami add-ins: Toss pasta, veggies, beans, grains, and salad greens with ¼ cup diced or julienned rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy-sweet counterpoint. Add them to casserole bases, as effectively, or simply sprinkle them excessive like a garnish.

Put all of the candy, sun-drenched taste of sun-dried tomatoes entrance and heart in your desk with these top-rated recipes.