How to cook sun-dried sweet cherry tomatoes in the oven, microwave, and slow cooker

All lovers of Mediterranean cuisine must master the recipe for sun-dried cherry tomatoes. First of all, this product has a unique flavor on its own. Furthermore, it can be used as an additional ingredient in pizza, salads, baked goods, and even with meat or fish dishes.

How to make sun-dried cherry tomatoes

When preparing sweet tomatoes for the winter, you should take into account several simple preparation features:

• While cooking, pay attention to the aroma. If a distinct tomato aroma emerges, the main ingredient has been selected correctly.
• Cherry tomatoes are usually sold in bunches. Each tomato must be carefully selected before cooking. Any tomatoes with visible bruises should be avoided.
• It is recommended to use fresh fruit. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days before drying.
• To ensure the dish turns out delicious, it is recommended to follow all the cooking rules and proportions.

It's worth noting that cherry tomatoes are contraindicated for people with gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, if you have such a contraindication, it's best to avoid consuming the prepared product.

Selecting and preparing the main ingredient

Cherry tomatoes are the key ingredient in this dish. When choosing tomatoes, consider several factors:

• you should choose fruits only with a dense and intact structure; they should not have any dents or damage;
• Cherry tomatoes need to be bright red in color;
• Before cooking, the stem must be removed from each product;
• Before drying, you need to thoroughly wash each tomato and cut it into 2 halves;
• If the vegetables are very juicy, it is recommended to remove the pulp or part of the pulp; otherwise, processing them may take several hours or may not produce the desired result at all.

In addition to the main product, you will also need drying equipment and, of course, a little free time.

How to make sun-dried cherry tomatoes at home

Depending on the type of household appliance and additional components, there are several ways to prepare dried cherry tomatoes.

Classic recipe

To prepare dried cherry tomatoes according to the classic recipe, you will need:

• fresh cherry tomatoes - 1 kg;
• garlic - 2 medium-sized cloves;
• salt - 1 tablespoon;
• ground pepper - half a teaspoon.

To prepare this dish you will need to do a few basic steps:

• soak tomatoes cut into halves in cold water for 15-20 minutes;
• drain the water and lightly dry each vegetable on a towel or cloth;
• Preheat oven to 90 to 100 degrees;
• Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and arrange the tomato halves tightly next to each other on top of it;
• sprinkle salt, ground pepper and grated garlic on top of the tomatoes;
• Drop 1-2 drops of oil onto each slice.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and dry the tomatoes for 5-6 hours. It's recommended to leave the oven door slightly ajar. The resulting tomatoes should be supple, juicy, but not overly dry.

With thyme and spices

You can also use spices to add new flavors to the dish. For example, tomatoes pair perfectly with:

• thyme;
• basil;
• rosemary;
• savory.

You can sprinkle the product with either a single seasoning or a mixture of several herbs. The quantity is determined individually, based on taste preferences.

In a vegetable dryer

The best way to make sun-dried cherry tomatoes is with a vegetable dehydrator. While this equipment won't produce quick results, it will dry the dish to the desired consistency.

The process is simple. Simply carefully arrange the vegetables on the tiers of the appliance and turn on the appropriate setting. It's recommended to rotate the tiers during cooking to ensure all the vegetables dry evenly.

In the microwave

Chances are, every modern person has a microwave oven at home. Using this appliance, you can prepare one of the most popular Mediterranean dishes in minutes. To do this, you'll need:

• place the tomatoes on the bottom of a special container;
• set the heating mode to maximum;
• Place the dishes in the microwave for 5 minutes.

Once the beep sounds, don't rush to remove it from the oven. Let the tomatoes dry for 7-15 minutes.

If the dish turns out too juicy, then it is worth draining the liquid and repeating the procedure.

In the oven

Many people enjoy the taste of dried tomato flesh but absolutely dislike the taste of dried tomato skin. In this case, you can prepare a special recipe.

To do this you need:

• make a small cut in the top of each tomato;
• dip it in boiling water for 30 seconds;
• remove from liquid and carefully peel off the skin;
• cut each vegetable into 4 pieces;
• Use a teaspoon to scoop out the pulp from each quarter;
• preheat oven to 120 degrees;
• Place parchment paper on a baking sheet;
• Place tomatoes on parchment paper;
• add salt and spices;
• Place the baking tray in a preheated oven for 1.5 hours.

After cooking, transfer the vegetables to a glass container and store in a cool, dry place. The prepared mixture should be consumed no sooner than two days later.

In the sun

If you don't have suitable equipment for drying tomatoes at home, you can dry them directly in the sun. To do this, you'll need:

• Place washed and cut vegetables on a baking sheet or tray;
• add salt and spices;
• cover with a mosquito net to prevent insects from entering;
• Place the tray or baking sheet on the balcony or outside.

The preparation time for the product is 4-5 days. It is important to dry tomatoes in good sun and warm wind.

In a multicooker

You can cook sun-dried cherry tomatoes in a slow cooker in the same way as in a microwave or oven. Place the washed and cut tomatoes in the slow cooker bowl and set the cooker to "Bake" or "Keep Warm." Cooking time is 5 to 6 hours.

Further storage of the product

Recommended storing sun-dried tomatoes In cloth or cotton bags. The maximum shelf life is 6 months. Like any other preserves, they can also be stored in glass jars with tightly sealed lids; in this case, the shelf life is extended to 12 months. It is recommended to store sun-dried cherry tomatoes in the refrigerator or freezer.