Blistering grape tomatoes is a great way to add flavor and texture to these small, sweet fruits. Blistering involves quickly cooking the tomatoes over high heat until their skins blister and char. Using this process, you can caramelize the sugars in the tomatoes and intensify their flavor. Blistered grape tomatoes are a delicious addition to salads, pasta, sandwiches, and more. In this article, we’ll discuss how to blister grape tomatoes and offer some tips and recipes.
Step-by-step guide: How to blister grape tomatoes
Wash and dry the tomatoes.
Rinse the grape tomatoes under cool, running water and rub them with a dry and clean towel. Make sure they’re completely dry before cooking to prevent splattering.
Heat the oil.
Heat enough oil in a large skillet to coat the pan’s bottom over high heat. Then, use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil.
Add the tomatoes.
Once the oil is hot, add the grape tomatoes to the skillet in a single layer. Use tongs or a spatula to toss them gently in the oil.
Cook the tomatoes.
Cook the tomatoes for 2-3 minutes, occasionally stirring until their skins blister and char. The tomatoes should still be intact but slightly softened.
Season and serve.
Season the blistered grape tomatoes with salt and pepper to taste, and serve them immediately. They can be eaten as is or used in a variety of dishes.
This is how to blister grape tomatoes with ease.
Tips for how to blister grape tomatoes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Ensure the tomatoes are in a single layer to cook evenly and quickly. In case you have a lot of tomatoes to cook, you may need to do it in batches.
- Use high heat. Blistering requires high heat, so don’t be afraid to turn up the heat on your stove. Just be sure to watch the tomatoes carefully to avoid burning them.
- Don’t stir too much. You want the tomatoes to char and blister on one side before you stir them. If you stir too much, they won’t blister as well.
- Use a nonstick or well-seasoned skillet. The blistering process can leave behind sticky tomato juices, so using a nonstick or well-seasoned skillet is best to prevent the tomatoes from sticking.
Recipes using blistered grape tomatoes
Blistered grape tomatoes are a versatile ingredient used in various dishes. Here are a few recipe ideas for how to blister grape tomatoes:
Blistered Tomato and Burrata Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups blistered grape tomatoes
- One ball of burrata cheese
- 2 cups arugula
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Arrange the arugula on a serving platter.
- Top with blistered grape tomatoes.
- Tear the burrata into pieces and place them on top of the tomatoes.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with chopped basil.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Blistered Tomato and Feta Pasta
Ingredients:
- 2 cups blistered grape tomatoes
- Eight oz. pasta of your choice
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Two cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and keep aside.
- In a pot, heat the olive oil at full flame.
- Add the minced garlic. Also, cook it for 30 seconds while stirring constantly.
- Add the blistered grape tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Then you can add the cooked pasta to the pot and toss to combine.
- Add the crumbled feta cheese and chopped parsley and stir to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Blistered Tomato and Avocado Toast
Ingredients:
- Two slices of bread
- One ripe avocado
- 1/2 cup blistered grape tomatoes
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Toast the bread slices until golden brown.
- Mash the avocado in a separate bowl and stir in the lemon juice.
- Then using a spoon, spread the avocado mixture on top of the toast slices.
- Top with blistered grape tomatoes and crumbled goat cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
What is the best way to ripen grape tomatoes?
Once you know how to blister grape tomatoes, let’s check other details.
Grape tomatoes are typically sold when they are still somewhat firm and underripe, which can be good for shipping and storage purposes. However, if you want to enjoy your grape tomatoes at their peak flavor and juiciness, it’s important to ripen them properly. Here are some tips for ripening grape tomatoes:
- Leave them at room temperature: The best way to ripen grape tomatoes is to simply leave them at room temperature. Place them in a bowl or on a countertop where they can get plenty of air circulation.
- Add a banana or apple: Fruits such as bananas and apples release ethylene gas, which can help speed up the ripening process of other fruits and vegetables, including grape tomatoes. Place a ripe banana or apple in the same bowl as your grape tomatoes to encourage them to ripen more quickly.
- Store them in a paper bag: If you want to speed up the ripening process even more, place your grape tomatoes in a paper bag. The bag will help trap the ethylene gas produced by the tomatoes and encourage them to ripen more quickly.
- Avoid refrigeration: While refrigeration can help prolong the shelf life of grape tomatoes, it can also slow the ripening process. Avoid refrigerating your grape tomatoes until they are fully ripe for the best results.
Conclusion
In conclusion, blistering grape tomatoes is a quick and easy way to add depth of flavor to these small, sweet fruits. Following the simple steps outlined in this article on how to blister grape tomatoes and using the tips and recipes provided, you can create delicious dishes featuring blistered grape tomatoes as a star ingredient.
Hope you understand the details of how to blister grape tomatoes.