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Tomatoes add flavor to variety of dishes from every style of cooking

September 03, 2008 @ 12:00 AM

BRENDA LUCAS

For The Herald-Dispatch

WAYNE -- Once called "the apple of love" by the French and "the apple of paradise" by the Germans, the tomato is the world's most popular fruit with more than 60 million tons produced each year.

Tomatoes are followed by bananas, apples, oranges and watermelons.

It's no joke that the color makes tomatoes good for you. According to research, lycopene -- the stuff that makes them red -- may prevent cancer of various types.

Tomatoes are also rich in vitamins A and C. They are cholesterol free and loaded with potassium and iron. An average-sized tomato carries about 35 calories.

There's no reason not to have tomatoes in a healthy diet. They can be used on almost anything and in almost any recipe. Not only good eaten as is, they are used in tomato sauce, ketchup, pasta and pizza.

Tomatoes straight from the garden may not be plentiful at this time of the year, but recipes using them are always good to have on hand for next year's crop.

This recipe is from "Cooking with Smitty's Mom:"

SPECIAL SPAGHETTI SAUCE

2 pounds ground chuck

1 large (29-ounce) can tomato sauce

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon garlic power or fresh garlic

Dash cinnamon

1 large onion, chopped

1 (12-ounce) can tomato paste

1 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon vinegar

Salt to taste

Mix ingredients in large bowl. Place in large pan; bake at 350 degrees 1 hour, stirring often. Serve over cooked pasta.

These recipes are from "Home Away from Home: Recipes from Hospitality House of Huntington:"

TOMATO BEANS

1/2 cup onion

1/4 cup oil

2 cans French-style green beans

1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Mix ingredients; bring to boil. Simmer and cook 25 minutes.

GARDENER'S SPECIAL PLATTER

11/2 pounds broccoli

1/2 medium head cauliflower

2 medium zucchini

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon thyme leaves

2 medium tomatoes, cut in wedges

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Arrange vegetables on large glass platter, broccoli on outside, then cauliflower and zucchini in center. Add 2 tablespoons water. Cover; cook on full power 9-11 minutes or until vegetables are just tender. Melt butter in 1 cup glass measuring cup approximately 1 minute. Add garlic salt and thyme. Drain liquid from vegetables. Arrange tomato wedges over cooked vegetables. Drizzle with butter mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Heat 11/2 to 2 minutes, uncovered, or until vegetables are heated.

FRESH TOMATO TART

1 unbaked pie crust

2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

3 tablespoons chopped basil, divided

3 medium sized ripe tomatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices

11/2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Place pie crust in pan and trim excess. Generously prick bottom and sides with fork. Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Sprinkle cheese evenly into crust and top with 2 tablespoons basil. Arrange tomato slices on top; brush with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place tart on baking sheet, place on lower oven rack. Bake at 400 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with remaining basil. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

IMPOSSIBLE ZUCCHINI-TOMATO PIE

2 cups chopped or shredded zucchini

1 cup chopped tomato

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

11/2 cups milk

3/4 cup Bisquick baking mix

3 eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 10-inch quiche dish or pie plate 10-by-11/2 inches. Sprinkle zucchini, tomato, onion and cheese in plate. Beat remaining ingredients until smooth, 15 seconds in blender on high or 1 minute with hand beater. Pour into plate. Bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool 5 minutes.

TOMATO SOUP SALAD DRESSING

1 can tomato soup, undiluted

11/2 cups oil

3/4 cup vinegar

3/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon grated onion

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon prepared mustard

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

Combine ingredients. Stir until blended. Chill. Store, covered, in refrigerator.

Events

1940s Radio Hour
Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 4-6, and 11-13; matinee at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. A "live" radio show with seven performances. Complimentary tickets offered to...

J. Chris Newberg
7:30 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4-7. A refreshing smart and edgy humor, delivered with a streetwise sense of philosophical...

First Friday and Second Look Saturday
5-9 p.m. every first Friday, 2-6 p.m. every first Saturday. Visit with Pendleton artists in their studios. Questions, call 606-920-9863.

Lions Arts and Crafts Show
4-9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5-7. Hosted by the Lesage and Southeast Huntington Lions Clubs. The juried show is filled with...

"The Nutcracker"
school matinee begins at 9:30 a.m. and regular show at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Ashland Youth Ballet presents their annual presentation of The Nutcracker. Questions...

Christmas Tour of Homes
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6-7. Tour six outstanding homes in the Bellefonte area dressed for the holidays. Questions, call 606-329-8888 or visit...

2nd annual Holiday Candlelight Tour
2-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. A tour (inside and out) of eight prominent Huntington homes beautifully decorated for the holidays. Questions, call 304-733-ARTS.

Marshall Artists Series: "Wizard of Oz"
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. A spectacular celebration of the iconic 1939 MGM film, "The Wizard of Oz." Tickets, call 304-696-3326 or visit www.marshallartistsseries.org.

16th annual Joy to the World Holiday Concert
8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11; doors open at 7:30 p.m. Featuring Bob Thompson with guest vocalist Dwight Lenox. Tickets, visit www.mountainstage.musictoday.com or call...

"Cowboy" Bill Martin
7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11-14. The Texas native, who has toured with some of the biggest names in country music,...

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GOOD EATS: Rocco's Ristorante serves up Italian faves

November 27, 2008 @ 12:00 AM

CEREDO -- Rocco's Ristorante has been a favorite of the Tri-State since 1977. The restaurant continues to serve delicious Italian meals, which have attracted people from miles around.

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Brenda Lucas/For The Herald-Dispatch

This tomato was grown in a Wayne County garden, owned by Doffice Adkins. Tomatoes are one of the worldÕs most popular fruits.

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