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Whether as a side dish for dinner, paired with a full English breakfast, or used in ultra-flavorful tomato sauces and soups, my Blistered Tomatoes recipe will forever change the way you cook tomatoes! It's done in ten minutes using only five easy ingredients.
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Sauteed Tomatoes
To me, blistered tomatoes are like the first page of a book: they're the beginning of something beautiful. Served on the vine, they're a sweet and delicious side that makes any plate look beautiful; and when taken off the vine and blended into other dishes, they add an incredible roasted flavor!
It's no surprise that grape tomatoes in my house are always destined for the pan. It only takes a few minutes to season and cook them up, and then the real fun begins. My favorite? Popping the whole blistered tomatoes into pasta dishes for little flavor-bombs mixed into every bite!
Even better, blistering cherry tomatoes is a great way to use up tomatoes that have a little age on them. Don't worry if they're getting a little soft or wrinkly; they'll guaranteed to work well and taste fantastic!
Cherry Tomatoes Recipe Ingredients
- Grape tomatoes
- Black pepper
- Coarse salt
- Garlic powder
- Olive oil
How to Cook Tomatoes
- Drizzle oil over tomatoes, and lightly toss or rub it in.
- Sprinkle the tomatoes with the salt, pepper, and garlic. No need to measure, just sprinkle them to your desired seasoning level.
- Add oil to a skillet over medium-low heat, then add the tomatoes once hot.
- Cover, and cook for about 10 minutes. Do not flip or move the tomatoes!
- Remove from the heat, serve, and enjoy!
Cooking Tomatoes Tips
- Make sure not to move the tomatoes! Blistered tomatoes are fragile and are more likely to burst if touched while cooking.
- Some bursting is unavoidable; that's okay! Just let them cook and don't worry about the burst tomatoes.
- You can use any variety of cherry or grape tomato, on or off the vine. I like on the vine so they're easy to remove from the pan and beautiful on a plate.
- Adding a garlic clove to the pan will add even more flavor to these delicious tomatoes!
- Roasting tomatoes in a pan before using them in sauces or pasta dishes is an incredible way to add tons of flavor.
What to Make with Cherry Tomatoes
Blistered Tomato Sauce
With only minor adjustments, this blistered tomato recipe can be turned into everything you need for a to-die-for homemade tomato sauce! Here's what you need:
- Olive oil
- Grape tomatoes
- Onion, quartered
- Garlic, unpeeled
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh basil, torn
- Add all ingredients to a bowl except for the basil, and toss until well coated in olive oil and seasonings.
- Transfer the mixture into a cast iron pan over medium-low heat or a baking sheet in the oven set to 400℉.
- Cook without stirring for 10-15 minutes on the stove, or for 15-20 minutes in the oven.
- Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Remove the roasted garlic from its skin, then add the garlic, onion, basil, and tomatoes to a blender and pulse until smooth and velvety!
Blistered Tomato Soup
Are you a fan of tomato soup like I am? Then you're going to be blown away by my homemade tomato soup recipe! It's so easy to make using blistered tomatoes and will change how you view tomato soup.
- Start with Blistered Tomato Sauce, then add the sauce to a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add in 2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth, then slowly add 1 cup of heavy cream.
- Bring the soup to a boil and lower the heat to a simmer. Let simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve in a large bowl, topped with fresh croutons and basil - perfect for pairing with grilled cheese.
What to Serve with Blistered Tomatoes
- Caprese salad: Serve blistered tomatoes as an alternative to raw tomato slices in caprese salad for an incredible combination.
- Crostini: Serve on crostini for bruschetta with roasted minced garlic cloves and extra-virgin olive oil, topped with parmesan. It's the perfect appetizer!
- In pasta: Make a cherry tomato pasta by adding them to your favorite pasta, like my Burrata Pasta, or by tossing pasta with olive oil, garlic, and these blistered tomatoes for an easy, straightforward combo that makes a great side dish or dinner.
- For breakfast: Serve with eggs benedict, complete with homemade hollandaise sauce, for a truly delicious breakfast experience.
Cherry Tomato Recipes FAQ
Cherry and grape tomatoes differ in flavor and texture! Cherry tomatoes, like their namesake, are sweet, round, and have a thinner skin with more juice giving them a crisp bite and a "pop" of flavor. Grape tomatoes are like miniature versions of full-sized tomatoes, featuring a meatier texture and a more rounded, savory flavor.
Grape tomatoes are excellent in pasta, salads, and any dish that calls for full-sized or crushed tomatoes! With their classic tomato flavor and small size, they're perfect for adding to any dish that calls for tomato. They're also great for cooking and adding to sauce, as they cook through quickly compared to full-sized tomatoes.
Easy Vegetable Sides
- Instant Pot Green Beans
- Air Fried Brussels Sprouts
- Sauteed Spinach
- Sauteed Button Mushrooms
- Easy Creamed Spinach
Try my Nut-free Pesto with these tomatoes!
If you enjoyed the recipe, leave a comment and a rating below!
Blistered Tomatoes
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet with a lid
Ingredients
- 3 vines Grape tomatoes - about 2 lbs
- Pepper - to taste
- Coarse salt - to taste
- Garlic powder - to taste
- 3 Tablespoons Olive oil - for drizzling and pan
Instructions
- Drizzle oil over tomatoes, and lightly toss or rub it in.3 vines Grape tomatoes,3 Tablespoons Olive oil
- Sprinkle the tomatoes with the salt, pepper, and garlic. No need to measure, just sprinkle them to your desired seasoning level.Pepper, Coarse salt, Garlic powder
- Add oil to a skillet over medium-low heat, then add the tomatoes once hot.
- Cover, and cook for about 10 minutes. Do not flip or move the tomatoes!
- Remove from the heat, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure not to move the tomatoes! Blistered tomatoes are fragile and are more likely to burst if touched while cooking.
- Some bursting is unavoidable; that's okay! Just let them cook and don't worry about the burst tomatoes.
- You can use any variety of cherry or grape tomato, on or off the vine. I like on the vine so they're easy to remove from the pan and beautiful on a plate.
- Adding a garlic clove to the pan will add even more flavor to these delicious tomatoes!
- Roasting tomatoes in a pan before using them in sauces or pasta dishes is an incredible way to add tons of flavor.
Leslie C. says
A Flavorful Delight!
Isabel Laessig says
I agree with you, Leslie! Such a simple recipe but packed with flavor! ❤️ Happy cooking, and I'll see you around the Sunday Supper table! – Isabel