Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chicken (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between sun-dried tomatoes and dried tomatoes? ›

Dehydrated tomatoes have a moisture content below 7 percent, a less sharp taste and lighten slightly in color after 12 to 15 months of storage. The making of sun dried tomatoes is different. Ripened tomatoes are first washed, halved and then usually put through a water bath containing sulfur dioxide.

Canned Tomatoes

Canned tomatoes are a great substitute for sun-dried tomatoes, especially in pasta sauces and pizza sauce. However, using canned tomatoes will likely thin your sauce so you may need to add a tablespoon of tomato paste or two to thicken it up. They have a less intense flavor than sun-dried tomatoes.

The drying also slows down the natural enzymes that make fruit turn mushy. Besides extending their shelf-life, sun-drying tomatoes also concentrates their flavor, making them even more delicious.

Begin by placing the tomatoes in a bowl and covering them with warm water or other, more flavorful liquid. You may want to add a pinch of salt to the bowl to give them even more oomph. Then, let them soak for 30 minutes to an hour, or until they have rehydrated and become soft.

Bella Sun Luci Sun dried Tomatoes in Oil

To maximize the shelf life of your product we encourage customers to store all Bella Sun Luci sundried tomato products, once opened in a refrigerator. Our recommendation is to use the tomatoes within six months after opening, add olive oil as needed to keep tomatoes covered.

Using Dry-Packed Tomatoes

This is a pretty simple process: Just let them soak in warm water for 30 minutes until soft and pliable, drain (reserve the liquid to add flavor to stocks and sauces), pat dry, and use as directed in your recipe. You can also use wine, broth, or other cooking liquids to reconstitute.

Sundried tomatoes impart a smoky flavor with hints of tobacco. They can be covered with virgin olive oil, for later use. Or, soak in warm water until moist and pliable for immediate use. Add to your favorite sauces, stews and warm vegetable dishes.

Canned tomatoes would make for a particularly good substitute in pizza sauce, pasta sauce, or tomato soup recipes that call for sun-dried tomatoes. Like bell peppers, canned tomatoes also tend to be cheaper than sun-dried tomatoes, so you shouldn't hesitate to grab a can or two the next time you go grocery shopping.

Antioxidant Powerhouse: Sun-dried tomatoes are a potent source of antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Heart Health: Studies suggest that regular consumption of lycopene-rich foods like sun-dried tomatoes may lower LDL cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure.

Can you eat sun-dried tomatoes straight from the jar? ›

Before using them, you should rehydrate dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes in salted liquid for about an hour. You can bring that time down to 10 minutes with a zap in the microwave, according to America's Test Kitchen.

Yes! Sun-dried tomatoes can be part of a healthy diet. They're high in vitamin C, potassium, and other important nutrients. Depending on the brand, though, they may be a high sodium food.

First, buy sun-dried tomatoes that are packed in a little plastic bag, not a jar of oil. Rehydrate these tomatoes in a bowl of hot water until soft, then drain most of the liquid. After you've rehydrated the tomatoes, saute them and the garlic in water or broth. Continue with the recipe.

If you're using sun-dried tomatoes in a brothy dish like a soup, stew, or pasta sauce, you may not need to rehydrate sun–dried tomatoes; the hot liquid in the recipe should do the trick. But for other uses, rehydrating is the secret to unlocking the tangy-sweet, ultra-tomato-ey wonderfulness of sun-dried tomatoes.

They're a good source of lycopene

In particular, it's thought to help protect your skin cells from the sun. While all tomatoes contain lycopene, sun-dried tomatoes have been found to have higher levels than tinned or fresh.

Canned tomatoes would make for a particularly good substitute in pizza sauce, pasta sauce, or tomato soup recipes that call for sun-dried tomatoes. Like bell peppers, canned tomatoes also tend to be cheaper than sun-dried tomatoes, so you shouldn't hesitate to grab a can or two the next time you go grocery shopping.

There are so many delicious ways to cook with sun-dried tomatoes! I especially love adding them to salads, soups, pastas, pizzas, frittatas, sandwiches, biscuits, pestos and more.

Dehydrators with thermostats are not affected by weather conditions and allow better control over food quality than sun drying.