It’s the middle of winter, cold, damp and you need warming, healthy dishes to keep you cheerful. Luckily, the Isle of Wight Tomatoes are still packing superb flavour, wonderful colour, and lots of healthy vitamins (a single tomato can provide 40% of your daily recommended dose of Vitamin C). With cherry, cocktail, plum and beef tomatoes in great condition, the Tomato Stall also have a great range of sauces, juices and condiments to inspire you and create lovely dishes.
The tomatoes are great on their own and in salads, but cooking them adds warmth and substantially raises the levels of beneficial compounds called phytochemicals and antioxidants. You can roast or fry them, or make sauces, curries and stews. You can even enjoy a Bloody Mary (or Virgin Bloody Mary) for a mid-morning health boost.
There are some inspirational recipes on the Tomato Stall’s website, and I particularly love the Tomato and butter bean stew recipe
Other good recipes for this time of year:
Tomato & Butter Bean Stew (serves 4)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon hot smoked paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 can butter beans 400ml/14oz, drained and rinsed
- 600g chopped Isle of Wight tomatoes
- Sea salt and black pepper
- 2 large handfuls spinach, rinsed and roughly chopped
Method:
In a large saucepan, heat the oil over a medium heat. Add the onions and fry, stirring continuously, for 3-5 minutes until soft but not browned.
Add the garlic, paprika and bay leaves and fry for a further minute. Add the chopped tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Stir well and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add the beans and spinach and stir through until piping hot.