The Easiest And Most Delicious Recipe You'll Make All Summer

(Photo: Jake Cohen)
(Photo: Jake Cohen)

The origin story of this recipe is simple: I made it to prevent my family from stealing my produce.

I had picked up a few pints of gorgeous heirloom cherry tomatoes from a local farm and was giddy (a very carefully chosen word to accurately describe my demeanor) at the potential of what I could cook with them. However, throughout the day I began to notice my bounty of rainbow beauties shrinking as everyone in the house began searching for snacks.

I had to act fast, so I decided to confit them in the oven to concentrate their flavor while leaving their culinary possibilities open.

When I tell you this is the easiest and most delicious recipe you’ll make all summer, I’m not kidding. If you use delicious, ripe tomatoes that are bursting with sweetness and umami, this preparation will only make them better.

In a baking dish, toss the cherry tomatoes with olive oil (the confit part), lemon zest (for a pop of acidity and brightness), garlic (for earthy sweetness as it caramelizes in the oven), red pepper flakes (for spicing up your life) and salt (because it’s a tomato’s best friend).

Throw the whole thing in a low oven for an hour and you’ll be pulling out pure gold. This gives enough time to let the sugars in the tomatoes and garlic caramelize while allowing the flavorful juices to release from the tomatoes without turning them to mush.

Once I got here, I knew I had a great building block to a countless number of dishes. Here’s a breakdown of a few paths you can take with your tomato confit (get the recipe at the bottom of the page).

Pasta

While it might seem completely too watery to be a sauce at first, I will assure you it’s the best thing to toss your noods in. Bring the confit to a simmer in a pot or a large sauté pan. Then, add 1 pound of pasta that you’ve cooked super al dente (read: two minutes shy of being done) and finish in the pan. The pasta will soak up that extra liquid and the tomatoes will dissolve into a delicious sauce.

Risotto

Creamy risotto can and should receive the same hit of tomato flavor as the aforementioned pasta. Toss in the confit for the last few minutes of cooking to get soaked up by the rice before making it rain Parm and basil.

Toasts

While I’ve already schooled you on the beauty of a tomato toast, these bad boys will also do the trick. Toasted slices of sourdough topped with whipped ricotta make the perfect beds for these juicy gems, which can be finished with fresh herbs and flaky salt (and maybe some extra citrus zest if you’re fancy).

Gazpacho

This concoction makes a great base for gazpacho, since all the ingredients overlap. Simply throw it in a blender with fresh heirloom tomatoes, lemon juice, herbs, onions and cucumber, then purée. The resulting soup will have a more pronounced tomato flavor with deep richness and notes of roasted garlic.

Now get the recipe for the confit below.

(Photo: Jake Cohen)
(Photo: Jake Cohen)

Cherry Tomato Confit

Yields: a scant quart
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

  • 4 heaping cups cherry tomatoes

  • 1/2 cup olive oil

  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

  • 6 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled

  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • Kosher salt, to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, combine all the ingredients and toss to coat. Bake until tomatoes have popped and the garlic is caramelized, 1 hour. Remove from the oven and transfer to a bowl to cool.

(Photo: Jake Cohen)
(Photo: Jake Cohen)

Related...

The Ultimate Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

This One-Pan Pasta Recipe Is Flawless In Less Than 30 Minutes

The Tomato Toasts You Have To Make While We're At Peak Tomato Season

Also on HuffPost

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

Heirloom Tomato, Avocado And Burrata Salad On Grilled Garlic Toast

<p><strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2015/07/heirloom-tomato-avocado-and-burrata-salad-on-grilled-garlic-toast/">Heirloom Tomato, Avocado and Burrata Salad on Grilled Garlic Toast recipe</a>&nbsp;from How Sweet It Is</strong></p>

Spaghetti With Fresh Tomato Sauce

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.feastingathome.com/spaghetti-with-fresh-tomato-sauce/" target="_blank">Spaghetti With Fresh Tomato Sauce recipe</a>&nbsp;from Feasting at Home</strong>
Get the Spaghetti With Fresh Tomato Sauce recipe from Feasting at Home

Heirloom Tomato Frico Cups

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.foodiecrush.com/2013/08/heirloom-tomato-frico-cups/" target="_blank">Heirloom Tomato Frico Cups recipe</a> from Foodie Crush</strong>
Get the Heirloom Tomato Frico Cups recipe from Foodie Crush

Roasted Tomato Salsa

<strong>Get the <a href="http://naturallyella.com/roasted-tomato-salsa/" target="_blank">Roasted Tomato Salsa recipe</a>&nbsp;from Naturally Ella</strong>
Get the Roasted Tomato Salsa recipe from Naturally Ella

Heirloom Tomato And Zucchini Galette With Honey And Thyme

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/heirloom-tomato-zucchini-galette-honey-thyme/" target="_blank">Heirloom Tomato and Zucchini Galette with Honey and Thyme recipe</a>&nbsp;from Half Baked harvest</strong>

Beef Tomato Stir Fry

<strong>Get the <a href="http://thewoksoflife.com/2015/08/beef-tomato-stir-fry/" target="_blank">Beef Tomato Stir Fry recipe</a>&nbsp;from The Woks of Life</strong>
Get the Beef Tomato Stir Fry recipe from The Woks of Life

Vanilla Cornmeal Crumb Cake With Candied Cherry Tomatoes

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2014/06/vanilla-cornmeal-crumb-cake-with-candied-cherry-tomatoes/" target="_blank">Vanilla Cornmeal Crumb Cake with Candied Cherry Tomatoes recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>

Buttered Brie And Heirloom Tomato Toast With Honey, Thyme And Walnuts

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/buttered-brie-and-heirloom-tomato-toast-with-honey-thyme-walnuts/" target="_blank">Buttered Brie and Heirloom Tomato Toast with Honey, Thyme and Walnuts recipe</a>&nbsp;from Half Baked Harvest</strong>

Chilled Spicy Tomato Soup Shots

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.bellalimento.com/2014/06/24/chilled-spicy-tomato-soup-shots/" target="_blank">Chilled Spicy Tomato Soup Shots recipe</a> from Bell'alimento</strong>
Get the Chilled Spicy Tomato Soup Shots recipe from Bell'alimento

Easy Roasted Tomatoes

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.foodiecrush.com/2012/09/friday-faves-and-easy-roasted-tomatoes-recipe/" target="_blank">Easy Roasted Tomatoes recipe</a> from Foodie Crush</strong>
Get the Easy Roasted Tomatoes recipe from Foodie Crush

Grilled Sourdough With Buttery Herbs, Heirloom Tomatoes + A Honey Drizzle

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/08/embarrassingly-easy-grilled-sourdough-with-buttery-herbs-heirloom-tomatoes-a-honey-drizzle/" target="_blank">Grilled Sourdough with Buttery Herbs, Heirloom Tomatoes + a Honey Drizzle recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>

Heirloom Tomato Cornbread With Cheddar Cheese

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.adventures-in-cooking.com/2012/09/heirloom-tomato-cornbread-with-cheddar.html" target="_blank">Heirloom Tomato Cornbread with Cheddar Cheese recipe</a> from Adventures in Cooking</strong>

Tomato Jam And Mozzarella Panini

<strong>Get the <a href="http://cookieandkate.com/2015/tomato-jam-and-mozzarella-panini/" target="_blank">Tomato Jam And Mozzarella Panini recipe</a>&nbsp;from Cookie + Kate</strong>
Get the Tomato Jam And Mozzarella Panini recipe from Cookie + Kate

Roasted Tomato Gazpacho

<strong>Get the <a href="http://naturallyella.com/roasted-tomato-gazpacho/" target="_blank">Roasted Tomato Gazpacho recipe</a>&nbsp;from Naturally Ella</strong>
Get the Roasted Tomato Gazpacho recipe from Naturally Ella

Simple Roasted Tomato Sauce

<p><strong>Get the <a href="http://www.foodiecrush.com/2014/08/simple-roasted-tomato-sauce/">Simple Roasted Tomato Sauce recipe</a>&nbsp;from Foodie Crush</strong></p>

Get the Simple Roasted Tomato Sauce recipe from Foodie Crush

Oven-Roasted Preserved Tomatoes

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.bellalimento.com/2014/04/01/oven-roasted-preserved-tomatoes/" target="_blank">Oven-Roasted Preserved Tomatoes recipe</a> from Bell'alimento</strong>
Get the Oven-Roasted Preserved Tomatoes recipe from Bell'alimento

Red Wine Marinated Flank Steak With Cherry Tomato Caprese Salsa

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/04/red-wine-marinated-flank-steak-with-cherry-tomato-caprese-salsa/" target="_blank">Red Wine Marinated Flank Steak with Cherry Tomato Caprese Salsa recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>

Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes and Burrata Crostini

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.bellalimento.com/2013/09/09/roasted-heirloom-tomatoes-and-burrata-crostini/" target="_blank">Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes and Burrata Crostini recipe</a> from Bell'alimento</strong>

Fried Green Tomato BLTs

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2016/06/bacon-fried-green-tomato-blts-with-special-sauce/" target="_blank">Fried Green Tomato BLTs recipe</a>&nbsp;from How Sweet It Is</strong>
Get the Fried Green Tomato BLTs recipe from How Sweet It Is

Pasta With Marinated Cherry Tomatoes

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.foodiecrush.com/2012/08/pasta-with-marinated-tomatoes-recipes/" target="_blank">Pasta with Marinated Cherry Tomatoes recipe</a> from Foodie Crush</strong>

Parmesan Flatbread With Mozza & Golden Cherry Tomatoes

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.versesfrommykitchen.com/2011/10/parmesan-flatbread-with-dandelion-green-onion-pesto-sopressa-prosciutto-parmesan-golden-cherry-tomatoes.html" target="_blank">Parmesan Flatbread with Mozza & Golden Cherry Tomatoes recipe</a> from Verses from my Kitchen</strong>

Baked Polenta & Tomato Salad

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2014/06/baked-polenta-tomato-salad.html" target="_blank">Baked Polenta & Tomato Salad recipe</a> from A Beautiful Mess</strong>
Get the Baked Polenta & Tomato Salad recipe from A Beautiful Mess

Tomato Tart With Tarragon Mustard

<strong>Get the<a href="http://mimithorisson.com/2012/08/31/tomato-tart-with-tarragon-mustard/" target="_blank"> Tomato Tart with Tarragon Mustard recipe</a> from Manger</strong>

Tomato, Corn And Cheese Galette With Fresh Basil

<p><strong>Get the <a href="http://www.alexandracooks.com/2009/09/21/tomato-corn-cheese-galette-a-favorite-summer-meal-with-a-chocolate-chip-cookie-for-dessert/" target="_blank">Tomato, Corn and Cheese Galette with Fresh Basil recipe</a> from Alexandra Cooks</strong></p>

Tomato + Basil Salad

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/07/5-favorite-summer-salads.html" target="_blank">Tomato + Basil Salad recipe</a> from A Beautiful Mess</strong>
Get the Tomato + Basil Salad recipe from A Beautiful Mess

Crisp Feta, Tomato & Arugula Salad

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.versesfrommykitchen.com/2012/08/crisp-feta-tomato-arugula-salad.html" target="_blank">Crisp Feta, Tomato & Arugula Salad recipe</a> from Verses from my Kitchen</strong>
Get the Crisp Feta, Tomato & Arugula Salad recipe from Verses from my Kitchen

Tomato, Salami And Chunky Arugula-Basil Pesto Bruschetta

<p><strong>Get the <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/tomato-salami-and-chunky-arugula-basil-pesto-bruschetta/">Tomato, Salami and Chunky Arugula-Basil Pesto Bruschetta recipe</a>&nbsp;from Half Baked Harvest</strong></p>

Brown Butter Tomatoes

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/18779-brown-butter-tomatoes" target="_blank">Brown Butter Tomatoes recipe</a> from Amanda Hesser via Food52</strong>
Get the Brown Butter Tomatoes recipe from Amanda Hesser via Food52

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.