Best Tomato Topping Recipes

TOMATO AND ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE WITH CRISP CHEDDAR TOPPING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees and butter a 9- by 13-inch casserole dish or 2-quart gratin dish.
• In a food processor or blender, purée the ricotta, basil and garlic.
• Toss tomatoes, zucchini and 1 teaspoon salt in casserole to combine, then spread into an even layer. Dollop with ricotta mixture and scatter olives evenly across the top.
• In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, cheese, oregano or marjoram, lemon zest, cayenne and a large pinch of salt. Use your fingertips to work in the 5 tablespoons butter; you should end up with small clumps. Scatter clumps over vegetables, then drizzle liberally with olive oil.
• Bake until golden and bubbly, 35 to 45 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

TOMATO PIE WITH PIMENTO CHEESE TOPPING

Steps:

• Make the dough: In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine the flour and salt. Add the butter. Process until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal, 8 to 10 seconds. Add the egg yolks and pulse until just combined. Pulse in 5 to 6 tablespoons ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, just until the mixture holds together as a soft dough, not crumbly or sticky. Use your hands to shape into a 1-inch-thick disk, wrap in plastic and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes (or longer, if desired).
• Lightly flour a clean work surface and rolling pin. Unwrap and roll out the dough, starting in the center and rolling up to, but not over, the top edge of the dough. Return to the center, and roll down to, but not over, the bottom edge. Give the dough a quarter turn, and continue rolling, repeating the turns until you have a circle about 1/8-inch thick.
• Transfer to a 9-inch pie pan, being careful not to stretch or pull the dough. Cut away any excess dough, leaving enough to make a thick edge around the rim. Tuck the edges under, press together and, if desired, crimp the edge. Chill until firm, at least 30 minutes.
• Bake the crust: Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prick the bottom of the dough lightly all over with a fork. Line the dough with parchment paper and fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice, enough to come halfway up the sides of the pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and remove the paper and weights. Set crust aside to cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, line a rimmed baking sheet with paper towels. Using a serrated knife, core the tomatoes and slice them 1/4 inch thick. Place a layer of tomato slices on the baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Top with more paper towels and repeat with remaining tomatoes. Set aside for at least 30 minutes.
• If using bacon, place in a medium skillet over medium heat, and cook until just crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Pour off all but about 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat from the pan (discard the fat or reserve it for another use). Or, skip the bacon and start the next step with 1 tablespoon olive oil in the pan.
• Heat the bacon fat or olive oil over medium heat, then add onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until lightly caramelized and golden brown, about 20 minutes. (Don't rush this process: the onions should not be white or crunchy.)
• Assemble the pie: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Pat half the tomatoes dry with paper towels and arrange closely in the pie crust. Add half the onions, bacon and herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Repeat with remaining tomatoes, onions, bacon and herbs.
• In a bowl, combine the cheese, mayonnaise and pimento very well. Gently spread the mixture on top of the pie. Bake for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Transfer to a wire rack to cool at least 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, slicing with a serrated knife.

PARMESAN BLACK COD WITH ARUGULA AND TOMATO TOPPING

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes, basil, olive oil, Pinot Gris, onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper together in a bowl; refrigerate until flavors blend, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Place black cod, skin-side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Mix Dijon mustard and butter together in a small bowl.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Flip fish and brush mustard-butter over fish, coating the surface completely. Continue baking fish until it flakes easily with a fork, 5 to 6 minutes. Cut fish into 4 pieces.
• Spread arugula onto serving plates. Arrange fish onto the arugula and top with tomato mixture and Parmesan cheese.

BAKED RED SNAPPER WITH CITRUS - TOMATO TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
• Coat the Red Snapper on both sides with some of the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Place the fish in a 9-inch glass pie dish.
• Mix remaining oil, tomatoes w/green chilies, tangerine pieces, green onions and cilantro in a small bowl.
• Season topping to taste with salt and pepper, and fish herbs.
• Spoon the topping over the Red Snapper.
• Bake until Snapper is just opaque in center, about 15-20 minutes.
• Can be cooked through if preferred.
• Sprinkle almonds on top of each serving.

RED SNAPPER WITH TOMATO-CITRUS TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475°F. Rub red snapper fillets on both sides with some of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place snapper in 9-inch glass pie dish. Mix remaining oil, tomatoes, tangerine pieces, green onions, cilantro and jalapeño in small bowl. Season topping to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon topping over snapper. Bake until snapper is just opaque in center, about 12 minutes.

LIME LEAF CHICKEN SALAD WITH LIME AIOLI, CRUNCHY LIME TOPPING ON CHARRED TOMATO-BROWN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• For the lime aioli: Place the vegetable oil, mustard, limes leaves, egg yolk and lime juice in a tall container. Blend the ingredients using a hand blender until the lime aioli becomes thick. Place the mixture in a bowl, season with salt, cover and place in fridge.
• For the chicken salad: Place the chicken, limes leaves, celery, onions, bay leaves, peppercorns, some salt and 10 cups cold water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Once the water comes to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and skim the impurities. After about 1 hour, turn the heat off and allow the chicken to rest for 30 minutes. Remove the chicken from the broth and remove the skin. Strain and reserve 3 3/4 cups chicken stock for the brown rice pilaf. Refrigerate or freeze the remaining stock. Once the chicken has cooled, shred the chicken meat by hand and place in a bowl. Mix the lime aioli with the shredded chicken meat, season with salt and place in the fridge until assembly.
• For the crunchy lime topping: Place the celery, olive oil, green onions, lime zest and juice in a small bowl. Season with salt, mix and reserve for assembly.
• For the charred tomato: In a cast-iron pan, heat a couple tablespoons olive oil over medium to high heat. Season the tomatoes with sugar, salt and pepper. Sear the tomatoes on both sides until charred, remove from the heat and reserve until assembly.
• For the brown rice pilaf: Heat the vegetable oil in a wide, tall-rimmed pot over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until tender and translucent. Add the bay leaf and rice and stir to coat the rice in oil. Add the reserved 3 3/4 cups chicken stock and the soy sauce and stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and place the lid ajar over the pot. Cook until rice is tender, 30 to 40 minutes, then fluff with a fork and set aside.
• To assemble the lime leaf chicken salad: Place some brown rice pilaf on the bottom of each serving plate. Place 2 pieces of charred tomato on each plate over the pilaf. Place equal amounts of lime leaf chicken salad on top of the charred tomatoes. Spoon the crunchy lime topping over. Garnish each plate with celery leaves and drizzle of olive oil.

GRILLED TUNA STEAKS WITH TOMATO AND HERB TOPPING

Steps:

• Combine the topping ingredients in a small bowl; stir well. Cover and let it stand at room temperature at least 1 hour.
• Place the tuna steaks in a large, heavy-duty, zip-lock plastic bag.
• Combine 2 tbsp olive oil, and the next 6 ingredients in a small bowl; stir well. Pour the marinade mixture over the tuna steaks. Seal bag securely. Marinate in the refrigerator 30 minutes.
• Remove the steaks from the marinade; discarding the marinade. Spray a grill basket with cooking spray, and place the steaks in the basket. Grill steaks, covered, over medium coals 5 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
• Remove steaks to a serving platter and serve with the tomato topping.

INDOOR GRILLED SWORDFISH WITH CORN AND TOMATO TOPPING

Steps:

• Rub the lime juice in the swordfish and marinate just for 15 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Parboil or cook corn in the microwave oven for a minute. Pat the corn dry, transfer it to a mixing bowl and mix with the tomatoes. In a small bowl combine the ground cumin, olive oil and lime juice; season with salt and pepper. Toss this with corn and tomatoes and adjust seasoning add more oil or lime juice according to taste.
• Get an indoor stovetop grill nice and hot. Brush grill with vegetable oil. Place swordfish on grill and cook for 4 to 5 minutes a side just until cooked through but still moist on the inside (or roast at 500 degrees for 7 minutes). Season with salt and pepper. Toss the fresh mint and chives with the corn and tomato topping, mix well and spoon some over the fish and some around it as well.

EGGPLANT, BULGUR AND TOMATO CASSEROLE WITH YOGURT TOPPING

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until onion is tender, about 5 minutes, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about a minute, and add the tomatoes, salt to taste, pepper, sugar, cinnamon, paprika and allspice. Turn the heat up to medium-high and cook until the tomatoes are bubbling. Stir together, turn the heat back to medium-low, partly cover and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down and the sauce is thick and fragrant, 25 to 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove from the heat. If your sauce is chunky, either put it through a food mill or pulse it in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the eggplant in lengthwise slices. Sprinkle slices with salt and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes (this step is optional). Meanwhile, cook the bulgur. Bring 2 cups water with salt to taste to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the bulgur, and when the water comes back to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until all of the water has been absorbed. Remove from the heat, place a clean dish towel over the pan and cover with the lid. Let the bulgur sit while you roast the eggplant.
• Rinse the eggplant slices and pat dry. Line baking sheets with foil and brush the foil with olive oil. Lay the eggplant slices on the foil, brush lightly with oil and place in the hot oven. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until eggplant is beginning to brown, switching the baking sheets halfway through. Remove from the oven and fold the aluminum up over the eggplant slices so that they continue to steam and soften in the foil envelope as they cool completely. They should be thoroughly tender by the time they cool. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Oil a 3-quart baking dish. Spread a small amount of tomato sauce on the bottom, and spoon in half of the bulgur in an even layer. Cover the bulgur with eggplant slices and spread about half the remaining tomato sauce over the eggplant. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of Parmesan over the tomato sauce. Repeat the layers, but don't sprinkle on another 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. If you have extra eggplant slices, make a top layer of them, on top of the tomato sauce.
• Beat together the eggs, yogurt and 2 tablespoons of the remaining Parmesan. Season with salt, pepper and paprika. Spoon over the top in an even layer and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan. Place in the oven and bake 30 to 40 minutes, until golden. Remove from the heat and let sit for 10 minutes or longer before serving.

GRILLED TUNA, TOMATO AND ONION TOPPING

Steps:

• In a shallow dish combine the lemon juice, olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Add the tuna and coat well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Remove the tuna from the marinade and grill over white coals with the tomato and onion slices. Grill the tuna until browned on the outside but still pink in the center, about 5 minutes per side. Grill the tomato and onion slices until lightly charred, about 5 minutes per side.
• Cut the tuna in half lengthwise and then across into thin slices. Quarter the tomato slices and cut the onion slices into large dice.
• When ready to assemble, divide the tomatoes and onions among the pizzas. Top with the tuna slices and season with the remaining salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. Use on rosemary-olive crust.

SPAGHETTI WITH CREAMY TOMATO MEAT SAUCE & CHEESE TOPPING (LI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Spray a 13x9 inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In a nonstick saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; cook onions and garlic for 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in beef; cook for 5 minutes, or until no longer pink, stirring to break up meat. Stir in tomato sauce, basil, oregano, and hot pepper sauce. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook for 10 minutes, covered.
• Meanwhile, in pot of boiling water, cook spaghetti for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender but firm; drain. In a food processor, combine sour cream, cheeses, and salt and pepper; purée until smooth.
• Place drained spaghetti in baking dish. Spoon sour cream mixture on top of spaghetti, mixing well. Spoon tomato sauce evenly over top. Mix together topping ingredients; sprinkle over casserole.
• Bake in centre of oven for 20 minutes. Spoon out to serve.

PORK CHOPS WITH TOMATO-BACON TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. In a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels., Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper. Add chops to drippings; cook until a thermometer reads 145°, 3-4 minutes on each side. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix bacon, tomatoes, brown sugar and rosemary., Spoon tomato mixture over chops. Broil 3-4 in. from heat until brown sugar is melted, 1-2 minutes.

HERBED SALMON FILLETS WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO TOPPING

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 400°F and adjust oven rack to center of oven.
• Lightly grease a small oven-proof baking dish (large enough to fit the fillets in one layer).
• In a small flat bowl (large enough to accomodate one salmon fillet, or use a piece of wax paper instead), combine the sea salt, pepper, basil, thyme, rosemary and bread crumbs.
• Press the TOP of each fillet (not the skin side) into the crumb mix, then place each in the baking dish (skin side down).
• Sprinkle the remaining crumb mix over the salmon, dividing equally, and pressing lightly into the samon.
• Drizzle with 2 tsp olive oil.
• Bake in oven just until fish flakes when tested in the center, about 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fish.
• As the fish is baking, heat the remaining 2 tsp oil in a 10-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat; add shallots and saute, stirring constantly, until lightly golden, about 1 minute.
• Add lemon juice, wine, and sun-dried tomatoes, and cook until "sauce" is reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 2 minutes-watch this carefully, it goes quickly!
• Spoon tomatoes and "sauce" over the salmon and serve immediately.

PRAWN & TOMATO STEW WITH GREMOLATA TOPPING

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a saucepan of cold salted water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 15-20 mins or until cooked but still firm. Drain and, when cool enough to handle, thickly slice.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan over a low-medium heat. Add the onion, celery, garlic, anchovy and chilli, season and cook for 8 mins or until softened. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the tomatoes, wine and stock, and cook for 15 mins. Add the prawns, lemon juice, capers and potatoes. Cook for 5 mins more, or until the prawns turn pink and are just cooked. Mix together the parsley and lemon zest, then scatter over the stew, then serve with toasted bread, for dunking.

EASY BAKED EGGPLANT WITH OLIVE OIL AND TOMATO-GARLIC TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly oil roasting pan or shallow baking dish. Remove green caps and halve eggplants lengthwise. Place eggplants cut side up, side by side, in prepared pan. Sprinkle or brush them with 2 tablespoons oil, then season generously with salt and pepper. Bake about 15 minutes or until eggplants are tender when pierced with a knife. Heat 1 or 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet; use a nonstick skillet if you want to keep the oil to a minimum. Add onions and saute over medium heat 3 minutes, stirring often. Cover and cook over low heat 5 minutes, stirring often, adding 1 or 2 tablespoons water if pan becomes dry or if onions turn too dark. Stir in garlic and saute a few seconds. Add tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook, umcovered, over medium high heat for 10 minutes, or until mixture is thick, stirring often. Remove from heat and add parsley. Tast and adjust seasoning, is should be generously seasoned. Spoon topping over eggplant halves. If you like, drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil. Spoon any extra topping into baking dish and thin it with 3 or 4 tablespoons water or reserved tomato juice. Bake for 5 - 7 minutes to flavor eggplant. Serve hot, cold or at room temperature.

FRESH TOMATO TOPPING

Steps:

• Chop tomatoes into small pieces, place in bowl. Add minced garlic and shallots. Put basil and parsley into a food processor, pulse until just chopped. Add to tomato mixture. Add lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper to tomatoes. Season to taste. Will keep, refrigerated overnight. Serve at room temperature.

BALSAMIC MARINATED STEAKS WITH GORGONZOLA /TOMATO TOPPING

Steps:

• Marinade:.
• combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse till garlic is chopped up (30-60 seconds). This will be thick.
• Lay your steaks in a non-corrosive baking dish and poke with a fork.
• Spread with marinade, flipping steaks to cover all sides.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 12 hours.
• Topping:.
• Gently stir all ingredients together till well blended.
• Grill steaks to your preference, sprinkling with salt on each side after searing.
• Just before serving spoon topping on steaks.
• Cooking time is not included.

LAMB, POTATO AND SHALLOT STEW WITH TOMATO-CHILI TOPPING

Steps:

• FOR LAMB: Place lamb in bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add flour; toss to coat. Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Working in 3 batches, add lamb to pot and saute until brown, about 5 minutes per batch. Using slotted spoon, transfer lamb to another bowl; reserve flour remaining in first bowl. Add shallots, garlic, thyme and chilies to pot; stir 1 minute. Add reserved flour; stir 30 seconds. Add both broths; bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Add tomatoes with their juices and lamb with any accumulated juices; return to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 45 minutes. Uncover; add potatoes. Simmer uncovered until potatoes and lamb are tender and sauce thickens, stirring often without breaking potatoes, about 40 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cold. Cover; keep chilled. Rewarm before serving.) FOR TOPPING: Mix all ingredients in bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer stew to large bowl; sprinkle with topping.

TOMATO TOPPING

Steps:

• Half the tomatoes and give them a gentle squeeze into a sieve to release the seeds. Push a spoon to gently press out as much juice as possible. Discard seeds.
• Dice tomato into 1/4 inch pieces.
• Add rest of ingredients, (except for The Water Sauce), mixing gently.
• Measure out 6 tablespoons of tomato water. If you don't have enough, use canned tomato juice or V-8 so you will measure the right amount.
• Put all ingredients for the "Water of the Tomato" together and mix to emulsify.
• Serving time comes right now, carefully take a good scoop of tomato tartare mixture and place in the center of a china plate. Or a plastic plate. Whatever you have. But you will have enough for 4 good sized servings for each plate.
• Spoon 1/4 of the tomato water on each serving.
• Garnish with parsley.
• Pretend you are dining with the "King and Queen".

TWICE-BAKED BREAD WITH TOMATO TOPPING

Steps:

• Do this step the night before if your bread isn't hard all the way through. Preheat the oven to its lowest setting. If your oven has a pilot light, you needn't turn it on. Place the bread slices on a baking sheet and place in the oven for 8 to 10 hours, until the bread is hard all the way through. Allow to cool.
• Sprinkle the rusks with cold water until softened but not soggy. Tap off the water and set on a platter.
• Place the chopped onions in a bowl and cover with cold water. Let sit for a few minutes, then drain and rinse. Drain on paper towels. Toss with the tomatoes, vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, capers, garlic, onion, chopped olives, dill, and salt to taste. Spoon onto the rusks. Sprinkle on the feta and oregano, and drizzle on the remaining olive oil. Arrange on a platter or plates and serve.