Welcome to Heart Healthy Recipes' Newsletter

In-season tomatoes are the featured heart-healthy food for this month’s newsletter. Tomatoes are usually available from late spring to fall, typically from May through October.

Tomatoes can be added to so many recipes including homemade pasta sauces, salads, soups, and also utilized for outdoor grilling.

Included in this month’s newsletter are several recipes to help incorporate tomatoes into a heart-healthy diet. Recipes include grilled and stuffed tomatoes, along with a tomato salad and a tomato sauce.

Health Benefits of Tomatoes

The fiber in tomatoes helps support the cardiovascular system and also may help with weight loss, reducing blood pressure and overall health. A medium-sized tomato contains approximately 1.5 grams of fiber. 

The potassium-rich tomato also benefits the heart by regulating blood pressure, heart muscle and nerve function. Potassium helps maintain a steady heartbeat, along with balancing sodium levels in the body.

Grilled Tomatoes

Recipe Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2-4 garlic cloves, finely minced

2-3 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped

½ teaspoon sea salt (optional)

1 teaspoon black pepper

basil leaves or sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Recipe Instructions:

After removing the core of the tomatoes, cut in half. Place tomatoes in a bowl and set aside.

In a medium bowl, add the following ingredients of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, sea salt (optional), and pepper. Stir together. Pour oil mixture over the tomatoes and gently mix together, coating the tomatoes.

Apply olive oil on grill and place tomatoes open side down - or place tomatoes in a grill pan for cleaner cooking. Close the grill and grill for approximately five to seven minutes. With a spatula, turn the tomatoes over and continue grilling until tomatoes begin to soften. Being careful not to have tomatoes become too soft.

Place tomatoes on a serving platter and pour leftover marinade over the tomatoes. Garnish with basil, if desired.

*Tip for choosing tomatoes for this recipe is finding tomatoes that are three to five inches in diameter. Roma and Heirloom are helpful choices.

Makes 6-8 servings.

Stuffed Tomatoes

Recipe Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa, cooked

¼ cup pine nuts

¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

Sea salt, to taste (optional)

Black pepper, to taste

Recipe Instructions:

Cut the tops off the tomatoes and scoop out the flesh, leaving the shells intact. In a baking dish, add the hollowed-out tomatoes.

In a bowl, combine quinoa, pine nuts, olive oil, basil, garlic, sea salt (optional), and black pepper.

Place the quinoa mixture equally inside each tomato shell.

In preheat oven, bake stuffed tomatoes for 25-30 minutes or until tomatoes are tender.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes 4 servings.

Tomato Salad

Recipe Ingredients:

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

1 teaspoon sea salt (optional)

½ teaspoon black pepper

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon honey

1 clove garlic, minced

Recipe Instructions:

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey, and garlic.

Pour the homemade oil dressing over the tomatoes. Garnish with basil, if desired and serve.

Makes 4 servings.

Tomato Sauce

Recipe Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup chopped onion

½ cup parsley, chopped

Sea salt, to taste (optional)

Black pepper, to taste

Recipe Instructions:

In a stock pot, add the olive oil, onions and parsley. Sauté over medium high heat, until the onion is soft and translucent.

Add the tomatoes, sea salt (optional) and black pepper to taste. Simmer for approximately 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Stir in basil leaves. Serve over favorite pasta.

Makes 4-6 servings.

Tips for Choosing Tomatoes:

Storing Tomatoes:

For More Recipes with Tomatoes, Please Visit:

Greek Salad
Guacamole
Homemade Tomato Salsa
Lamb Shish Kabobs
Low Fat Apricot Lamb
Mediterranean Bell Peppers
Pizza
Spinach Tomato Salad
Tomato Basil Pasta
Tomato Eggplant Appetizer
Tomato Leek Soup
Tomato Zucchini Couscous
Vegetarian Chili
Veggie Pasta

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