Sweet Tomato Basil Cooler Recipes

TOMATO-BASIL PIZZETTES

Steps:

• Make the dough: Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 500 degrees F. Put 1/2 cup flour, the yeast and sugar in a food processor and pulse to combine. With the motor running, add 3/4 cup hot tap water (about 115 degrees F). Turn off the motor and add the cornmeal, cheese, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and the remaining 1 cup flour. Pulse until the dough forms a ball, then continue pulsing until smooth but still wet, about 15 more times.
• Make the pizzettes: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until soft and elastic, 12 to 15 times, dusting lightly with flour if too wet to handle. Using a floured rolling pin, roll out the dough into a 1/4-inch-thick disk, about 14 inches across. Using a 3-inch-round cutter, cut the dough into 16 rounds, gathering and rerolling the scraps if needed. Transfer the rounds to the prepared pans.
• Mix the olive oil, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Brush each round lightly with the herb oil, then top each with a slice of soppressata and 2 to 3 tomato slices. Sprinkle with the parmesan. Bake one sheet at a time, until the crusts are golden, about 8 minutes.
• Drizzle the pizzettes with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and top with the basil leaves. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SWEET BASIL TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, onion, basil, and garlic in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until slightly reduced, 30 minutes.

TOMATO BASIL SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large pot over medium-low heat; cook and stir onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in both amounts of tomato sauce, chicken broth, basil, and oregano. Increase heat to medium and simmer until soup is reduced, 10 to 20 minutes.
• Pour soup into a blender no more than half full. Cover and hold lid down; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend. Add cream. Continue to puree in batches until smooth, transferring creamy soup to another pot.
• Heat soup over medium-high heat until hot, about 5 minutes more.

SWEET TOMATO "CONSERVA"

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Have ready, a bowl of ice water and a spider or slotted spoon. With a paring knife, cut the stems out of the tomatoes and cut an X in the opposite end. Slip the tomatoes into the boiling water and leave them until the skin around the X starts to loosen, 30 seconds to 1 minute. With the spider, scoop the tomatoes into the ice water. When cool enough to handle, slip the skins off the tomatoes and cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out and discard the seeds. Set the seeded tomato halves aside.
• Bring 3 cups water, the sugar, cinnamon, and allspice to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Adjust the heat to the lowest setting and let steep for 20 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, and continue to simmer on low heat until the syrup has thickened about another 20 minutes. Cool, then chill. Remove allspice berries and cinnamon sticks. Serve the tomatoes in a compote dish or small bowl, accompanied by the sliced cheese.

GAZPACHO VODKA COOLER

Steps:

• Using a small melon baller or spoon, scoop two-thirds of the way down into one of the 2-inch pieces of cucumber, forming a cucumber shot glass. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Muddle the grape tomatoes, 4 of the basil leaves and remaining cucumber piece in a cocktail shaker until well crushed. Add the vodka, vinegar, lemon juice and some ice to the cocktail shaker and shake until well mixed. Strain into the cucumber shot glass and garnish with the remaining basil leaf.