Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Scalloped Tomatoes With Croutons

Fall is pretty much in full swing around here, but our basil and other herbs are still hanging on. Our tomato plants even continue to produce! David picks the tomatoes every few days, so for now I remain on the lookout for creative, yummy ways to use up summer's final harvests.


My search for tomato-based dishes led me to a recipe online for scalloped tomatoes that includes basil and homemade croutons. It sounded delicious so I decided to give it a try.


Scalloped Tomatoes with Croutons
Slightly adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups bread from a French boule in a 1/2-inch dice
2 1/2 pounds chopped tomatoes (cherry tomatoes work really well)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup thinly slivered basil leaves, lightly packed

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high. Add the bread cubes and stir so that they are evenly coated with oil. Cook cubes, tossing frequently, until toasty on all sides, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, garlic, sugar, salt and pepper in a large bowl. When the bread cubes are toasted, add the tomato mixture and cook them together, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in the basil. Pour into a shallow (6 to 8 cup) baking dish (top with Parmesan cheese if you'd like - I sprinkled some nutritional yeast on top). Bake 35 to 40 minutes until the top is browned and the tomatoes are bubbly. Top with panko bread crumbs if you wish for additional crunch.


Let me tell ya, this was GOOD. The flavors and juiciness of the tomatoes get intensified in the oven and the croutons soak up all the yummy goodness. It's the perfect dish to carry summer's extended harvest into the early fall season. I'm sure I'll be making this again and again.


~Tammy

This post shared with:

Down Home Blog Hop


19 comments:

  1. That sounds like a divine use for all these tomatoes we have ripening. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. It is a great way to use up tomatoes. I really enjoyed the recipe.

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  2. These look super delicious. I think I will try this this week with a steak on the grill. I'm still getting some tomatoes from the garden. Thank you for linking up this week! Have a great day.~Melissa

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    1. Thanks, Melissa! It would make the perfect side dish for your steak. :)

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  3. That looks amazing! I'm still getting a few cherry tomatoes, but it's supposed to freeze this weekend and I don't think I'm going to cover the plants. My bad!

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    1. Haha, I understand Nancy. We basically let our garden go but haven't had a freeze yet so the tomatoes are still hanging in there.

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  4. Hi there! I found your site through Tilly's Nest's Blog Hop and that recipe sounds delicious. I've never tried anything like it but it sounds so good I'm going to give it a go. I wish my tomato plants were still producing - what a great way to use them up.

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    1. I was a little skeptical of the dish myself, but I really like how it turned out. Glad you clicked over from the Blog Hop! Thanks for checking out my blog :)

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  5. Thanks for stopping by my blog Tammy! I'm always looking for new recipes to use up all.those.cherry.tomatoes. and this looks perfect! :)

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    1. Of course, Candy! I really enjoy your blog. We have so many cherry tomatoes, too! I love that they grow so well but we have trouble using them all up before they go bad!

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  6. This sounds so delicious, but I'm partial to tomatoes!

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    1. I'm partial to tomatoes as well, Lisa! It's a great use of cherry tomatoes!

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  7. Yummy. Boy this looks so delicious and sounds easy enough to try.

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    1. It was very easy! Didn't take too long to put together and the house smelled amazing while it was baking away in the oven.

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  8. mmmm...this looks so delicious and tempting!
    definitely i'm doing this over the weekend.
    thanks for sharing that great recipe.

    i love your blog!

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    1. Awww, thanks Betty! Checked out your blog - you are an amazing photographer! Love all your photos :)

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    2. aww, thanks a lot for your most generous comments. it is much appreciated!!

      also: thank you so much for the follow. dropping by to return the favor!

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  9. Never thought about making tomatoes scalloped but I bet it's awesome -- it sure sounds good! Thanks for linking up at NOH!

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    1. My pleasure! If you have tomatoes and basil lying around I'd definitely recommend this recipe.

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