Cherry Tomato season is in full swing here in Cape Town and I love to slowly cook the tomatoes in a wonderful olive oil with fragrant things like chilli’s, fresh herbs (tucked underneath) and plenty of whole garlic cloves.

Slow Cooking = Easy Meals

Popping a tray or pot of tomatoes in the oven to slowly cook away is the EASIEST way to:

  1. feed a crowd
  2. low effort cooking
  3. maximum flavour (yes even in winter)

Organic Sun-Ripened Tomatoes

Many commercially grown tomatoes are grown in greenhouse tunnels with artificial light. The tomatoes are grown for appearance and durability during transportation and not for flavour.

Most (not all) organic tomatoes are grown outside, in their natural season and picked when sun ripened – resulting in a tomato which bursts with flavour.

For the best tomatoes:

  • Neighbourhood Farms
  • Those Who Harvest – a devastating fire wiped most of their orchards and land – your support would mean the world, you can support them here
  • the most impressive tomato stand probably this side of Italy is at my local farmers market – OZCF market
  • Wild Organics

Slow Cooked Tomatoes with Lemon & Ricotta Pasta (Recipe)

A wonderfully easy, one-tray pasta sauce that I cook often. I love to use the little yellow cherry tomatoes too and I will play around with the herbs. Lemon verbena makes a wonderful addition.

Slow Cooked Cherry Tomatoes & Garlic Pasta with Mint (Recipe)

Slow Roasted Tomato & Green Bean ‘Bredie’ (Recipe)

An Afrikaans ‘bredie’ is kinda like a stew traditionally made with Karoo lamb. This recipe is such a beautiful amalgamation of tomatoes, garlic, smoke, fresh herbs and a hint of spice. Lots and lots of oomph!

Vine-Ripened Roast Tomatoes with Pesto & Burrata (Recipe)

Slow Cooked Spiced Chickpeas with Cherry Tomatoes (Recipe)

Whipped Goats Cheese with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes (Recipe)