Imagine a world the place *the whole lot* you cook dinner might style like a freshly-baked pizza straight out of a brick oven. Excellent news, fam: In the present day is the day that want turns into a actuality.
After cooking up a big batch of contemporary marinara or salsa, you would possibly end up questioning what to do with the entire tomato peels leftover. Earlier than you toss them away, we now have a genius answer to remodel this meals scrap right into a scrumptious, one-ingredient (!) seasoning to assist make the blandest of meals style like a contemporary bowl of spaghetti drenched in tangy tomato sauce.
So, how on the planet is that this even attainable? Effectively, in a latest Instagram video by @plantyou, Carleigh Bodrug defined that through the use of your trusty air fryer, you may dehydrate tomato peels to show them into an umami-rich tomato powder (learn: magic fairy mud) to sprinkle on absolutely anything. Other than giving dishes a punch of taste, this superfood of a seasoning is filled with tons of well being advantages that will take you abruptly.
What makes this tomato seasoning so good?
Sure, we already know that tomatoes make a imply BLT and a scrumptious Margherita pizza, however do you know that they are additionally filled with tons of antioxidants that assist cut back irritation? So severely, as we stated earlier than, no matter you do, don’t throw your tomato peels away. Actually, analysis reveals {that a} good chunk of a tomato's well being advantages is definitely discovered within the peel. Go determine.
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So, what’s the large cope with the peels anyway? In accordance with analysis, tomato peels are filled with lycopene, ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C), and phenolic contents, giving tomatoes their potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that enhance coronary heart well being, combat free radicals, and might even assist enhance longevity. “Lycopene is an antioxidant that has been linked to enhancing blood strain and cardiovascular well being, lowering ldl cholesterol, and combating quite a lot of cancers,” says Laura Iu, RDN, CDN, CNSC, RYT, registered dietitian and founding father of Laura Iu Diet, beforehand instructed Effectively+Good. Lycopene not solely works wonders on the within but in addition has been proven to assist defend your pores and skin from solar injury when consumed.
Though we all know that tomato peels are our new BFFs, we completely perceive that in some instances, the feel of a dish might profit from their absence—like while you’re making a creamy, easy tomato sauce. Nonetheless, this genius trick for turning them right into a powder will help you simply add them—and their vitamins—again right into a dish and go just about undetected. Win, win.
The way to flip tomato peels into an antioxidant-packed powder
Within the under Instagram video by @plantyou, Carleigh Bodrug reveals tips on how to dehydrate tomato peels whereas preserving their dietary worth and shares tips on how to use the seasoning on nearly any dish. In accordance with her, this aromatic tomato spice is especially excellent for soups, curries, and stir-fries.
To make her tomato powder recipe, Bodrug utterly dries the reserved tomato skins by dehydrating them (which will be carried out in an air fryer or dehydrator) or by baking them at low warmth in an oven till they're completely devoid of moisture. Whether or not you’re utilizing the oven, a dehydrator, or your air fryer, you’ll wish to allow them to dry for eight to 12 hours at about 135°F. As soon as crispy and funky, Bodrug transfers them right into a blender or a espresso grinder and blends them till they change into a advantageous powder. That is fairly actually the total course of—it could not be simpler.
Bodrug additionally shares that you should use this powder by itself or flip it right into a seasoning mix for a chili powder, taco seasoning, or perhaps a vegetable spice rub for much more taste. And for those who’re having a tough time peeling the tomato within the first place, she recommends slicing a cross on the high of the fruit after which boiling it in sizzling water for just a few seconds to assist loosen the skins.
Tomato powder recipe
Yields 5 servings
Elements
8-12 tomato skins
1. If making tomato sauce or stewed tomatoes, reserve the skins. Place them on a dehydrator sheet or parchment-lined baking sheet. Dehydrate at 135°F for 8 to 12 hours (or out within the solar).
2. Place the tomato skins in a espresso grinder or a blender, and grind till they're a advantageous powder. Retailer in a jar for as much as two months.
Love tomatoes as a lot as we do? Do this beautiful *and scrumptious* tomato galette recipe: