One of my favorite things about summer is growing tomatoes. A few years ago my hubby built me a raised garden bed in our backyard and I started growing (or trying to) various veggies. My favorite part though is that by the end of the summer the red, beefy, meaty, tender deliciousness known as la tomate is hanging off the vines poking through the bird netting just begging to be eaten. And, as luck would have it this year – in addition to the back yard harvest –  some kid, bird, fairy or other thing dropped some tomato seeds in my front garden and I (along with the neighbors) had buckets of cherry tomatoes from August well into October. Apparently that little tomato plant really really liked the HollyTone I feed the Azaleas. Who knew! So needless to say there were a lot of tomatoes being eaten in the Faux Gourmand household this summer and fall.

However, since its February and the only tomatoes I can get are the less than tasty, ‘roided out grocery store ones (womp, womp) I’ve been blistering them in the oven to turn them into juicy bits of decadent, bursting with sweetness, tasty goodness.

How do I achieve this feat of summer in the middle of winter? Read on ladies and gents for this recipe is super easy and super tasty. Blistered tomatoes can be used for anything in anything –  sandwiches, risotto, chicken breasts, rice, mashed potatoes, hummus, anything your heart, or belly, desires.

Recipe

• 8-12 oz cherry or grape tomatoes
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Herbs
  • Herbes de Provence
  • Fresh Basil, Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley, Tarragon
  • Italian blend
  • your favorites!
• Cookie sheet + tinfoil (this makes cleanup a snap)

Preheat the oven to 400.

Spread the tomatoes out on the tinfoil (sometimes I fold up the edges to keep the oil from running all over the place) so they cover the foil. Drizzle the oil across the tomatoes and sprinkle the herbs – then move the tomatoes around so they are covered in oil and herbs. Pop them in the oven for 20 – 25 minutes or until they are bursting open. Let cool for 5 minutes.

Bon Appetit!