Fresh Summer Tomatoes, Marinated or Smoked

Enjoy a variety of delicious tomatoes fresh from the garden. Tomatoes are a great source of Vitamins A and C as well lycopene. They are low in calories and high in benefit. 

SMOKED TOMATOES
2 cups wood chips, divided
cooking spray
3 ripe, firm tomatoes, cut in half crosswise and seeded
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, minced

1. Soak wood chips in water 30 minutes, drain well.

2. Prepare grill for indirect grilling, heating one side to high and leaving one side with no heat.  Place 1 cup wood chips on hot coals or if using a gas grill place chips in an iron container or aluminum foil on the grill.  When chips begin to smoke, rub oil on grill.  Place tomato halves, cut sides down, on unheated side of grill.  Cover and cook 18 minutes or just until tomatoes are tender.  Add additional chips halfway through cooking time, if necessary.

3. Place tomatoes, cut sides up, on a serving platter, drizzle with oil.  Combine parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, sprinkle over tomatoes.  Serve warm.

Yield 6 servings (serving size: 1 tomato half)

Nutritional Information for 1 serving: Calories 47, fat 2.4 g, carbohydrate 6 g, fiber 1.4 g, sodium 134 mg.

TARRAGON MARINATED TOMATOES
¼ cup finely chopped shallots
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
4 teaspoons olive oil
2 pound (about 6 medium) tomatoes, cut into ¼ inch slices
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Combine first 4 ingredients in a bowl, stirring well.  Arrange tomatoes on a platter.  Sprinkle tomatoes evenly with salt and pepper, drizzle with shallot mixture

Yield 8 servings (3 slices per serving)

Nutritional Information per serving: Calories 57, fat 2.7 g, carb 8 g, sodium 79 mg.