Recipe For Health
by Corporate Chef Kurt Kwaitkowski
Featured Food: cherry tomatoes Yield: Serves 6-8Learn more about cherry tomatoes

Ingredients

  • 1 pt. (2 c.) red cherry tomatoes
  • 1 pt. (2 c.) yellow cherry tomatoes
  • 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 t. kosher salt
  • 1 t. cracked black pepper

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Rinse and dry tomatoes.

Place tomatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl and toss to evenly coat tomatoes with oil and seasonings.

Place on a baking sheet and roast in oven for about 5-7 minutes. All ovens work differently; adjust oven temperature to keep tomatoes from popping open while roasting.

Roasted cherry tomatoes may be served as a side dish, tossed with pasta or served as a topping for grilled or sautéed chicken or pork.

Learn More About cherry tomatoes

Tomatoes had a humble beginning starting in the wild as small, bitter bush berries. When first domesticated in Mexico, tomatoes were about the size of the ones we call cherry tomatoes. Since then, tomatoes have soared in popularity; today they are part of every cuisine.

Still the first tomatoes—each and every growing season—cherry tomatoes are just a smaller version of the regular tomato. Cherry tomatoes ripen about mid-summer. It’s this early part of the tomato season when you can count on cherry tomatoes to have better flavor than their larger-size counterparts. In the off-season, if you must have fresh, it’s best to go with cherry tomatoes.  

All tomatoes, regardless of size, are best when fully ripe, not necessarily vine-ripened. Place them on the countertop away from direct sunlight; be prepared to use them within a day or two.  

Cherry tomatoes are known for their juiciness, even straight from the supermarket. Juiciness is fine when eating them raw but too much juice leads to a watery problem in some recipes. If you want less juice and more tomato flavor, follow one of these techniques: 

  • Method # 1: Roast them, as outlined in this month’s recipe, to cook off excess liquid.  
  • Method # 2: Toss them with salt and sugar to draw off excess liquid
    -Cut each cherry tomato into quarters.
    -Place in a bowl and toss with ¼ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon sugar per 4 cups of tomatoes.
    -Let stand for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    -Then, give them a whirl in your salad spinner for about 1 minute; or drain in a colander or on paper towel.  
A cherry tomato plant can be grown almost anywhere—staked in a small garden or potted in a container on the patio. Just one plant will reward you with oodles of fruit, enough for a small household!  

Peggy Crum MA, RD

Featured Recipes

Recipe For Health

Rhubarb & Strawberry Crisp

Combine tart rhubarb with sweet strawberries, add a streusel topping, and bake until bubbly. Dessert doesn’t get easier—or more classic—than this. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You’re sure to get rave reviews!

Recipe For Health

Farro Salad with Grilled Vegetables

Chewy farro grains are delicious in this autumn-y salad. Recipe yields enough for dinner for 2 to 4 with some left for a couple of lunches. To do this, make the base with dressing, farro, and grilled veggies. Add fresh veggies to the base as you go.

Recipe For Health

Pecan and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Roasting amps up the flavor in everything including pecans. Chef Kurt's attention to detail takes a traditional chocolate chip cookie to another level of yum!

Recipe For Health

Onion Soup

Onions, the simplest of pantry staples, mingle with butter, broth, and herbs to become luxuriously smooth and delicious. Add "homemade" croutons and a blend of cheeses to make a complete and satisfying meal.

More Food and Nutrition Recipes

Find a Recipe

Browse all recipes

Find a Class

Browse all courses

Search Health4U


Food and Nutrition Counseling Services

Food and Nutrition Counseling Services provides you with access to accurate health and lifestyle information, helping you to explore new behaviors and skills, and identifying useful campus and community resources.

MSU community members eligible for food and nutrition counseling services include faculty, staff, graduate assistants, retirees and the spouses/partners of members of these groups.

To schedule an appointment with Health4U you are not required to email us from your MSU email address; please email us from the email address you are most comfortable with. 

Read More

Departmental Services

The goal of department based services is to provide work units and colleagues the opportunity to learn about health and wellness as a group activity or exploration.  

Read More

Health e-Guide

This guide has been discontinued and is no longer viewable.

Visit Health e-Guide