Tomatoes/2 recipes

Layers of textures and flavors in this salad. Crunchy and fresh bell peppers, sweet edamade, salty olives, feta and nutty pine nuts together make this salad amazingly tasty.

Chicken, okra and sausage gumbo: dark-roux Louisiana stew with smoked sausage, fresh okra and tomatoes, simmered low and slow for 2 hours. Authentic Creole one-pot done the old-school way.

Old-fashioned candied figs, apricots, or tomatoes preserved in sugar syrup over several days, then sun-dried and sugar-dredged. A slow, sweet, heritage preserving project.

Chilled tomato-leek soup with fresh parsley, dill, paprika, and a splash of red wine. A vegetarian summer soup made with 2 pounds of ripe tomatoes, served cold.

Homemade tomato pasta dough made with tomato paste, eggs, and olive oil in a pasta machine. A vibrant orange-red fresh pasta that cooks in just 2 minutes.

Fresh salsa fresca with tomatoes, tomato juice, jalapeno, serrano chile, cilantro, and garlic. A double-heat Mexican salsa that needs 2 hours to chill for the flavors to meld.

Marinated basil tomatoes with olive oil, vinegar, and a pinch of garlic chilled for 2 hours. The 5-minute summer salad that turns ripe tomatoes into something lunch-counter worthy.

Smoker pork ribs marinated overnight in a tomato, vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce, then smoked low for 2 to 3 hours. Sticky, tender backyard barbecue.

A simple, yet tasty side dish made with quinoa, small leeks, currants and canned tomatoes.

Iowa Thunder and Lightning Salad is a Midwest marinated vegetable salad with cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers in a sweet vinegar and honey dressing. Chills for 2 days for bold flavor.

Texas-style chunky chili made with diced beef chuck, no beans, simmered low for 2 hours with chili powder, cumin, jalapeno, and tomatoes. Bold, beefy, and authentic.

Cincinnati-style chili with ground beef, cinnamon, allspice, cumin, and tomato paste simmered 2 to 4 hours, served over vermicelli with cheddar and raw onion.

Beef stick lima bean casserole with summer sausage, tomatoes, chili powder, oregano, and melted cheddar cheese baked low and slow. Dried limas soaked overnight, simmered, then baked for 2 hours in a spiced tomato sauce.

A wide variety of fresh vegetables and quinoa are tossed with a salty and sweet miso orange dressing. Serve it as a refreshingly nutritious side dish or a vegetarian/vegan main course.

Smoky chipotle salsa blended from canned chipotles in adobo, tomato paste, brown sugar, and red wine vinegar. Sweet, fiery, and ready in 10 minutes. Makes 2 cups.

Weight-conscious cabbage soup with ground beef, tomato juice, mixed vegetables, and beef bouillon. A filling, low-carb soup that simmers for 2 hours with simple pantry ingredients.