Tomato Girl Summer for Tomato Haters
Tomato recipes for the tomato haters, general tomato tips, and a date you should definitely save!
Tomato girl summer this! Tomato girl summer that! It seems like everyone is in on it …except me. I don’t like tomatoes. It’s tragic. Outside the context of pizza sauce and ketchup (only on burgers and hot dogs — not fries), or when finely blended into a sauce or salsa, I really can’t stand them.
Revealing this fact publicly is somewhat terrifying: how can I even call myself a foodie when I hate tomatoes?? I guess I just want to normalize that being “picky” can, in fact, coexist with loving the culinary arts. The trick is taking at least one bite, smiling through discomfort, and keeping a tinyyyyy bit of an open mind. Here are the tomato recipes I’d be open to trying, even as a tomato hater.
Tomato Recipes for Tomato Haters
Frozen Grated Tomato Over Burrata
A friend of mine posted a VERY intriguing dish on Instagram last week (thank you, Meghan!): frozen grated tomato over burrata. Given the 100 degree heat wave, my gut needed it immediately, which is not my typical reaction toward anything tomato-related. I’ve linked above a very “chef-y” version, but if you wanna try it out, Meghan has graciously shared some simple tips below:
Cauliflower and Tomato Masala with Peas by Smitten Kitchen
It may not contain fresh tomatoes, but the use of tomato paste combined with lots of warm spices and grated ginger is so good it had to make the list.
Halloumi With Corn, Cherry Tomatoes and Basil by Melissa Clark
Okay, stay with me. This recipe is brilliant for tomato haters because you can very easily avoid the actual tomatoes. Your tomato loving guests are happy. You’ve successfully used a beautiful seasonal ingredient. And you get to dine on cheese and corn. Perfect!
Charred hispi cabbage with roasted tomato sauce and caraway “mayo” by Ottolenghi
When the hero is CHARRED CABBAGE and the tomatoes are reduced to a smooth and light sauce, I’m sold. This perfect summer recipe is an absolute showstopper.
A few tomato tips!
Sharpen your knives before cutting!!!!
Or use a serrated bread knife for cleaner slicing.
Buy tomatoes slightly underripe so that you can eat them at perfect ripeness a couple days later.
DO NOT REFRIGERATE! Whole tomatoes should be stored on your countertop, away from direct sunlight.
Speaking of tomatoes…
Molly Baz’s upcoming cookbook, More is More, is GIVING tomato girl summer red. I’m wildly enthusiastic about this release since her first book, Cook This Book, has become a kitchen staple for me. Not only are the recipes riffable and easy to follow, but it explains really valuable cooking techniques along the way.
Setting tomatoes aside (please)… you should save the date: October 7th!!!!
As mentioned last week, I’m eager to bring you the Dilly Dally experience IN PERSON. I went back and forth for a while about how, exactly, to do this. Food, yes, but what else?
Then I realized: SO many people I hear from want to host at home, but are too overwhelmed by the prospect. What should the menu be? When should you go grocery shopping? What can be prepped ahead of time? How to set the table??? What about drinks?? How do you set a vibe successfully??? Well…
Coming October 7th, 2023: DINNERPARTY by Dilly Dally
A dinner party that shows you how to DINNERPARTY.
Come for the food and friends, leave with a guide on how to replicate that party for YOUR community. Ticket includes:
3 course meal
1 cocktail
DINNERPARTY Ultimate Guide: recipes, week-of to-do list, tablescape tutorial, invite templates, a master list of supplies (with links), and more!
The whole shebang will be held at Blackbyrd Salon - the VIBIEST spot in South Pasadena with plenty of street parking!! Tickets will be released Tuesday, September 12th.
I cannot wait to DINNERPARTY with you all in person. Sans tomatoes.
Happy Eating!!
Mary