Add Some Spark to Your Sides with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes

Perfectly ripe cherry tomatoes are truly one of the great joys of summer. Whether you grow them in the backyard or pick them up at the local market, the little morsels pack a ton of flavor in each bite and are the perfect seasonal ingredient. They’re delicious to just eat fresh like grapes, but blistering your cherry tomatoes is the best way to unlock their full flavor potential – and it couldn’t be easier!

The sweet, roasty taste of blistered tomatoes will make you feel like a professional chef, but they only take a few minutes to make. Just heat a thin layer of olive oil in your cast iron skillet on medium-high, then add your tomatoes (and maybe some fresh garlic), season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2-4 minutes. Don’t move them around a ton – just give them a quick stir or two so the skin blisters evenly, then remove from the pan. Finish with some fresh basil and a splash of balsamic vinegar if you like.

Blistered tomatoes are healthy and incredibly versatile, which makes them a great ingredient to keep on hand all summer. They’ll keep well in your refrigerator for up to a week, so cook off a big batch on Sunday night and use them for something different every day! That is, if you can resist snacking on a handful every time you open the fridge…

– Spread them on toast with a butter knife and drizzle with olive oil for a two-minute breakfast on the go

– Serve with your eggs to add a decadent twist to your morning routine

– Serve on grilled chicken or steak as a tasty, no-fuss topping

– Make your blistered tomatoes the star ingredient of a refreshing cold pasta salad with black olives, cucumbers, and red onion

– Add them to a grilled vegetable salad of eggplant, onion, zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers, lightly dressed with an Italian vinaigrette

– Add them in place of fresh tomatoes for a hearty variation on your favorite side salad

The possibilities are endless!