Charred Tomatoes Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 160C/gas 3/fan 140C. Put a griddle pan or heavy cast iron frying pan (not non-stick) over a high flame and leave it to heat.
• Cut the tomatoes in half around the equator. Brush the cut surfaces with 1 tbsp of oil and place cut side-down on the hot griddle. Cook undisturbed for 1 minute, then take the pan off the heat.
• Transfer the tomatoes, cut side-up, to a shallow baking dish. Brush cut surfaces with the vinegar, then with about 2 tbsp of oil. Place a sliver or two of garlic on each tomato, and sprinkle with the sugar.
• Bake for about 1 hour until the tomatoes are deep brown and sticky-looking. Cool a little, then finish with a sprinkling of balsamic vinegar, extra oil and a scattering of basil. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet and add the canola oil. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the tomatoes in a single layer. Season with salt, to taste, and add the sugar. You want to blister the skin slightly, drawing out water from the tomatoes, to intensify their flavor. Add the vermouth. Continue cooking on low heat.
• In a soup pot, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and add the garlic, shallots, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the oregano and stir to blend. Allow to cook, over low heat, until the shallots and garlic become tender and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes and the water. Turn the heat down to medium and cook until the tomato flesh starts to lose shape, 12 to 15 minutes. At this point, the soup should be mushy and blender-ready. If there are still some hard pieces, add a little more water and cook for a few additional minutes. Taste for seasoning.
• Put about half of the tomato soup in the blender and puree until smooth. Next, puree the roasted Roma tomatoes in the blender until smooth, adding the remaining olive oil through the top in a slow, steady stream. Taste for seasoning. Add both back to the remaining chunky soup. Taste for seasoning.
• On a flat surface, slice bread into 4 by 1/2-inch thick slices. Tear each piece into a freeform shape that sits nicely across the top of your soup bowls (the nice torn edges will get super crispy). Set on a sheet tray and toast in oven for 4 to 5 minutes until lightly golden and crispy.
• Ladle the soup into crocks or small oven-proof bowls. Top with 1 piece of toasted bread per bowl. Finish with some shredded mozzarella and broil until golden brown, about 2 minutes.

Steps:

• Rub toasted bread with garlic and brush with oil. Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium heat. Crack eggs into skillet and cook, undisturbed, until whites are set, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a plate.
• Increase heat to medium-high. Brush cut sides of tomatoes with oil. Sear, cut sides down and undisturbed, until charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer 2 tomato halves to each piece of toast with a spatula and lightly mash. Season with salt and pepper and top with fried eggs.

Steps:

• Make the bread crumbs: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Put bread cubes in a mixing bowl, drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, season lightly with salt and pepper and toss well. Spread on a baking sheet in one layer and bake uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes, or until crisp and golden. Set aside to cool. When cool, crush into very coarse crumbs.
• Make the vinaigrette: Put the garlic in a small bowl with the vinegar, mustard and a pinch of salt. Whisk in 1/4 cup of olive oil. Set aside.
• Prepare a charcoal grill or light the broiler. Cut larger tomatoes into 1-inch-thick slices or leave smaller ones whole. Place tomatoes on the hottest part of the grill and let them char for about 3 minutes on one side if using a broiler, or place tomatoes on a baking sheet as close to the flame as possible. Tomatoes should still be firm.
• Place tomatoes and eggs on a platter or divide among 4 plates. Sprinkle lightly with salt and spoon dressing over. Drape anchovy fillets over eggs and add a generous handful of bread crumbs. Garnish with basil, parsley and crushed red pepper.