Kittencals Oven Dried Tomatoes Food

OVEN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Halve 2 pounds plum tomatoes lengthwise. Place cut-side up on a baking sheet, season with salt and let stand 20 minutes. Roast in a 250 degrees F oven until slightly dry but still juicy, about 4 hours. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with thyme.

OVEN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Lay the tomatoes in a single layer on a sheet pan and sprinkle with the salt. Cook the tomatoes for 5 to 6 hours or until dried and slightly shriveled, but still plump.
• If not using immediately, store tomatoes in a sealed container in the refrigerator, for 3 to 4 days; or layered in a container with herbs and covered with olive oil. Store, covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

KITTENCAL'S ITALIAN TOMATO PASTA SAUCE AND PARMESAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Prepare the meatball recipe as directed on the recipe; transfer to a plate cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use (the meatballs may be prepared up to 1 day in advance).
• Drain the diced tomatoes over a strainer.
• Coat bottom of large heavy-bottomed pot with olive oil, heat over medium heat.
• Saute onion with bay leaf, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper and crushed chili peppers for about 5-7 minutes or until the onions are transparent.
• Add in fresh garlic; cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste;mix and stir for about 2 minutes or until well combined with the onion mixture.
• Add in the wine; stir well to combine.
• Add the 2 cans crushed tomatoes (can use 3 cans if you are freezing some sauce) and the drained diced tomatoes, stir and bring to a light boil; boil for 5-8 minutes then reduce heat to low.
• Add in uncooked meatballs to the sauce (if you are adding the meatballs uncooked do not stir for 30 minutes or you may run the risk of them falling apart in the simmering sauce).
• Simmer uncovered on low heat for about 3-5 hours (the longer you simmer uncovered the thicker and richer your sauce will be so don't be afraid to simmer even 6 hours!) adding more salt if desired.
• Skim off any fat that might gather on top of sauce.
• Allow to cool to room temperature then refrigerate (with the meatballs in the sauce) a minimum of 1 day or up to 4 days before using.
• Use as much as desired then freeze the rest for another meal, just reheat the sauce on top of the stove or heat in microwave (this will freeze well for up to 6 months).
• Note: if desired, you can bake the meatballs in the oven before adding to the sauce.

KITTENCAL'S ITALIAN MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
• Shape into small meatballs (at this point you can place on a jelly-roll/baking sheet and freeze to use later, or cover with plastic wrap refrigerate up to 24 hours before using).
• Drop the meatballs into simmering pasta sauce, do not stir for at least 20 minutes or you will risk breaking the meatballs.
• Continue cooking in the simmering sauce for another 20 minutes (depending on how fast your sauce is simmering 40 minutes total should fully cook the meatballs).
• After the 40 minutes cooking time continue cooking your sauce with the meatballs in for as long as desired.
• **note** you may also bake the meatballs at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until cooked through.

KITTENCAL'S SCALLOPED POTATO AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a skillet cook the ground beef with onion, bell pepper and chili flakes (if using) until no longer pink; drain fat over a colander.
• Return to pan and add in garlic, season salt and black pepper; cook stirring with a wooden spoon until the meat is lightly browned (I usually add in about 1-2 tablespoons bacon fat that I keep frozen in my freezer to the meat while browning for added flavor and it also helps to brown the meat) set aside.
• For the sauce; in a medium bowl mix together the undiluted soup with onion, milk, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, seasoned salt and black pepper to taste; mix well to combine.
• In a greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish or a large oval casserole dish, alternately layer the sliced potatoes on bottom of the baking dish, then soup mixture (I like to sprinkle grated cheddar cheese on top of the soup mixture) then the ground beef mixture on top.
• Since this is a large casserole I strongly suggest to place the baking dish on a jelly-roll sheet in case of any spills.
• Bake covered with foil for about 1 hour at 350 degrees F.
• Uncover and continue baking for another 20-30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender (baking time will vary depending on the thickness of your sliced potatoes).
• Remove from oven then sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese; return to oven for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

KITTENCAL'S MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE TAVERNA CHOPPED GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl toss together cucumbers, Roma tomatoes, diced sun-dried tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of the sun-dried tomato oil, artichokes, and the red onion and olives; toss to combine.
• In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil with a small amount of red wine vinegar (or to taste) drizzle over the salad.
• Season with salt and lots fresh ground black pepper to taste.
• Chill until ready to serve.
• Just before serving sprinkle the feta cheese on top of the salad, then prinkle a small amount of dried oregano on top of the feta if desired.

KITTENCAL'S GREEK MARINATED TOMATO, OLIVE AND FETA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large glass bowl stir together the dressing with parsley.
• Add in feta pieces and all remaining ingredients (except black pepper, salt and bread) toss to combine and season with black pepper------ (don't be tempted to add in more than the stated amount of dressing as the tomatoes will release more juice when chilled, you just might find your salad swimming in too much liquid!).
• Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours or up to 6 hours.
• Serve with crust bread.

OVEN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a pan with parchment; for thinnest chips, use a Silpat baking mat. Arrange tomatoes, cut sides up, on pan, spaced 1/2 to 1 inch apart. Sprinkle with sugar and herbs; season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer pan to oven; dry until juices have stopped running, edges are shriveled, and pieces have shrunken slightly; timing will vary depending on the variety, ripeness, and desired degree of dryness, 1 1/2 to 6 hours. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 3 days, or frozen, for up to 6 weeks.

KITTENCAL'S OVEN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Pat the tomato slices as dry as possible using paper towels.
• Brush about 1 tablespoon olive oil onto a 10 x 15-inch baking sheet.
• Arrange the tomato slices in a single layer in the pan.
• Sprinkle top side of tomatoes lightly with salt and pepper.
• Bake in a 200 degree oven (regular or convection oven) until the tomatoes are dry but still pliable about 2-1/4 - 2-3/4 hours (try not to open the oven too many times while baking as it will increase your baking time).
• While still warm, using a wide spatula, loosen slices from the pan.
• Cool completely and store in a airtight glass container for up to 3 days.