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A fruit, not a vegetable, one serving (150 grams) of red, ripe, raw tomato is a good source of Vitamins A, C, K, folate and potassium. Tomatoes are naturally low in sodium, saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. Tomatoes also provide thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus and copper, all of which are necessary for good health.
Tomatoes are best in summer, especially when they are homegrown and picked when perfectly ripe.
When we are not blessed with homegrown tomatoes, we depend on the best heirloom tomatoes or high grades (i.e. Momotaro tomatoes), if we are lucky enough to find them in stores. After encountering such perfectly ripe, delicious tomatoes, I simply wanted to eat them in their natural state, to savor every morsel of flavor.
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Also a fruit, not a vegetable, avocados were originally found in the Central Mexico region.
While avocados have a high caloric count (one avocado is 320 calories), the various nutrients and “healthy” fats make them a must-eat. Some call the avocado the alphabet fruit because of all the vitamins it contains. One avocado provides your body with vitamins A, C, E, K and B-6, along with an enormous amount of potassium and “healthy” fat. Perhaps the biggest health benefit of avocados is that by adding avocado to certain foods, you can improve your absorption of nutrients. This means that when you combine other fat burning foods with avocado, you can improve your nutrient absorption up to 400%! Avocados can also reduce the signs of ageing, regulate blood sugar and improve eye health.
The fat/oleic acid content of an avocado provides protection against heart diseases and improves cardiovascular health. Avocados are rich in omega-3, delivering 160 milligrams per cup of alpha-linolenic acid.
Avocados provide all 18 essential amino-acids necessary for the body to form a complete protein. Unlike the protein in steak, which is difficult for most people to digest, avocado protein is readily absorbed by the body because avocados also contain fiber.
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Simply Tomato
Recipe by: Fae’s Twist & Tango (fae-magazine.com)
INGREDIENTS
—This recipe presents these two health beneficial, unconventional fruits in the simplest manner and yet is a magnificently, refreshing, tasty arrangement.
• 2 large ripe quality/sweet tomatoes (home-grown is best!)
• 1 medium ripe quality/sweet tomato, blanch-peeled, de-seeded and cut in 2cm/1″ pieces
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 tsp rice vinegar, or to taste
• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil, or to taste
• (optional) dried mint flakes or finely chopped fresh mint
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 sprigs of mint for decoration
• a few dollops of hummus
DIRECTIONS
◊ Briefly blanch tomatoes to peel the skins. Keep the 2 large tomatoes in whole shape and de-seed and cut the medium tomato in 3cm/1″ pieces. Put tomatoes in the refrigerator to chill.
◊ Dice avocados in 3cm-squares, add cut tomatoes, sprinkle with vinegar, olive oil, mint flakes, salt, pepper and toss. If not served immediately, hold on the salt to keep tomatoes from losing texture and juice, and refrigerate.
◊ Place each tomato on an individual ‘cooled’ plate and garnish around it with avocado/tomato mix, and dollops of hummus.
Tip: Although the purpose of this recipe is to enjoy the decadent taste of ripe tomatoes, you may hollow out the tomatoes (carefully) and fill them with salads of choice.
~ Bon Appétit! ~
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So, what’s cooking in your kitchen?
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This looks intriguing! I will have to find something to replace the mint since I am allergic to it, but I definitely want to try this out. Love avocados!
Oh sure, tarragon, cilantro, or nothing. As long as the tomato is one of quality, the rest is just a decoration.
You’ve taken that tomato to a whole new level. Artistic and delicious.
I really like how you blanched the tomato and served it whole. I just love vegetables served simple like this. I imagine the hummus was wonderful as you dipped each bite of vegetable.
There is almost nothing better than fresh vine ripened home grown heirlooms. Delicious!
A ‘stuffed’ tomato, especially with a salmon or tuna salad, on a bed of greens is a staple in hot weather for me.I can eat a good tomato in hand like an apple,(but I don’t!)
Nothing better than a ripe tomato…I’ve been eating them every day and will miss them when there are no more in the garden.
Oh, LOVE that! So simple and so fresh!
Yum! This looks beautiful and I love tomatoes!
Yum. What a fantastic way to use tomatoes. I adore hummus with tomatoes, the flavours just seem to meld so well together. I’ve never thought to make a secret pocket in a tomato though. I can imagine filling it with some sort of beautiful tuna salad or more whole chickpeas with feta and herbs. Definitely making this, since our weather is getting warmer now! xx
Reading your stuffing choices, my mouth is watering. 😀 )))
As a child, I would eat tomatoes like they were apples! Sometimes I would sprinkle the halved tomato with salt, sometimes with sugar
I should give a try with sugar and see why. I can see you eating tomatoes like apple though. My son as a child, ate raw onions like apples. You had a better taste.:D )))
And better breath most certainly! 😀
You are a Doll, Erika! 😀 )))
You and Me, Erika, but I control myself now!
Brilliant in its simplicity!
So pretty!
Tomato and avocado … of course, go together like a horse and carriage. But the addition of hummus? Genius! And it looks so pretty too.
You are so funny! 😀 ))) I wanted to add some boiled eggs too, but kept it vegan.