by Tomato Wellness | Aug 6, 2021 | Recipes
Did you know that the key to reducing inflammation could be in your sofrito? Sofrito, a tomato-based dish, contains all the necessary carotenoids to lower inflammation levels in the body. Learn more about how sofrito can reduce inflammation.
Have you ever wondered why so many cultures utilize tomatoes as the base of their dishes? Of course, tomatoes are tasty, but they are enormously nutritious and can also protect against disease. Countries such as Italy, Greece, and Spain, use tomatoes as an integral part of their cuisine, and other cultures throughout the world have also adopted this culinary flavor. One example of this is the popular dish among Hispanic cultures called sofrito. Made from tomatoes, olive oil, onion and garlic, sofrito is a sauce which can be used to flavor dishes, or even be eaten as a dip. (Here’s a Fun Sofrito Recipe)
However, sofrito has much more to offer than just its delicious flavor. Tomatoes are packed with nutrients called carotenoids which act as anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. As such, a tomato based sofrito contains the carotenoids lycopene and beta-carotene, which have been shown to reduce inflammation levels in the body. In this study, healthy men were given sofrito to eat, and then had their inflammatory biomarkers measured [1]. Even after just one serving of sofrito, the inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP) and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) were greatly improved [1]. In other studies, improvements in inflammation have been seen with the consumption of other tomato products, which is mainly caused by the lycopene content of the tomatoes. However, sofrito also contains extra virgin olive oil and onions, which provide additional beta-carotene. Beta-carotene offers an additional reduction in inflammation levels, as seen by the results of this study [1].
While tomatoes on their own are a nutritional powerhouse with the ability to improve inflammation levels, their benefits are further enhanced when combined with additional ingredients. This is great news as many tomato dishes often contain ingredients such as onions and olive oil. So, the next time you whip up a batch of sofrito, know that you are doing wonders for both your taste buds and inflammation levels.
More reading on an Anti-Inflammatory Diet 101
1. Hurtado-Barroso, S., Martínez-Huélamo, M., Rinaldi de Alvarenga, J. F., Quifer-Rada, P., Vallverdú-Queralt, A., Pérez-Fernández, S., & Lamuela-Raventós, R. M. (2019). Acute effect of a single dose of tomato sofrito on plasmatic inflammatory biomarkers in healthy men.Nutrients,11(4), 851. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11040851
by Tomato Wellness | Jul 15, 2021 | Media Recipe, Recipes
This nutritious California Walnut Salsa recipe is not only packed with flavor, but it can be prepared in under 10 minutes. This specific salsa recipe also contains roasted red peppers, jalapeno peppers, and toasted walnuts—giving it an extra kick of flavor and crunch. All you need to do is stir all the ingredients into a medium-sized bowl, cover, and refrigerate it until it’s ready to serve. It doesn’t get much easier than that! Serve it up with your favorite veggies and a side of whole-wheat tortilla chips for a tasty snack that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
What’s the key ingredient to any salsa? That’s right, tomatoes! Every salsa requires tomatoes, and canned diced tomatoes do just the trick to create a simple, flavorful salsa. Not only do canned tomatoes provide a boost of juiciness to a dish, but they also have numerous health benefits. This specific recipe calls for canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes, but you can also use regular canned diced tomatoes for a different flavor profile. The mixture of onions, fresh cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and spices provides the perfect combination of savory and spicy flavor. Don’t be shy and feel free to add more spices and veggies for even more spice!
While fresh, chopped tomatoes can be used for salsa, it’s actually better to use the canned version! Research has shown that canned tomatoes are actually higher in nutritional value than fresh tomatoes due to the canning process (and they’re more affordable). When canned tomatoes are placed into their homes (aka the cans), they are stored at nutritional peak, providing them with maximum nutrition. What’s not to love about that? So, incorporate some nutrients into your daily diet than by enjoying a refreshing bowl of salsa.
Get the full recipe for California Walnut Salsa by visiting our friends at California Walnuts.
For other delicious dip recipes, check out:
The BEST BLT Dip
Tomato Pesto Hummus
by Tomato Wellness | Jul 7, 2021 | Media Recipe, Recipes
Looking for a seasonal homemade pizza that everyone will love? This scrumptious Grilled All-American Avocado Pizza recipe is a perfect dish to share with your family and friends. During the summer, everyone wants an easy meal that will satisfy the taste buds of both kids AND adults, which is why you can’t go wrong with pizza. Plus, you can always add more veggies or your choice of protein and customize the pie to your liking. The versatility of pizza dishes allows you to get creative in the kitchen!
By adding avocados to the top of your pizza, you’re getting a hefty dose of heart healthy fats and a creamy texture that makes this recipe a standout. While the avocado topping on this pizza is an important part of this recipe, the canned tomato sauce steals the show! After all, some of the best pizzas contain tomato products, and it’s easy to see why. Not only do they provide a stunning color, but canned tomatoes are jam-packed with antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of certain diseases and cancers. The antioxidant properties found in canned tomatoes enable you to obtain vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and potassium. In addition to their amazing nutritional quality, canned tomatoes are easily available, affordable and accessible to just about anyone. So next time you’re at the grocery store, make sure to stock up on canned tomatoes so that you can have a pizza party by the pool!
Get the full recipe for Grilled All-American Avocado Pizza by visiting our friends at California Avocados.
For other delicious pizza recipes, check out:
Thin Crust Spinach Pizza
Arugula Salad Pizza
Artichoke Turkey Pizza
by Tomato Wellness | Jun 14, 2021 | Food and Nutrition
Canned tomatoes have become an increasingly popular trend that appeal to many due to their affordability and versatility. What else makes canned tomatoes an attractive option for consumers? Read on to learn more.
There are both intrinsic and extrinsic qualities that contribute to why consumers are easily attracted to and influenced by specific food choices. For some, it may be health reasons, while for others it could be the product packaging. So, why are canned tomatoes increasing in popularity and what makes consumers so attracted to them? In this study, researchers found that consumers generally purchase canned tomatoes based on its beautiful red color, the way it’s packaged, and ease of use in the kitchen. The conclusion of the study also suggests that the attributes of canned tomatoes were strongly influenced by the level of familiarity with these products, such as how to prepare, cook, and use them in the kitchen.
In addition to their popularity among consumers, canned tomatoes play more of an effective role in reducing the risk of prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and incorporate tomatoes into your weekly recipes so that you can achieve optimal health and reduce your risk of preventable cancers. Whether it’s pasta, pizza, or a taco dish, tomato products are super easy to use and will save you time and money while boosting your nutrient intake. Head out to your local grocery store today and try out some canned tomatoes for yourself!
Check out some delicious recipes featuring canned tomatoes:
Pan Seared Pork Chops with Bourbon Peach Compote
Easy Chicken Curry
Pizza Stuffed Chicken
The BEST BLT Dip
by Tomato Wellness | Feb 8, 2021 | Food and Nutrition, Tomato Products
Meet Toby Amidor, who is the Tomato Wellness Registered Dietitian of the month for February 2021! You probably already know her as she’s EVERYWHERE! With over 20 years of experience in the food and nutrition industry, Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND is a Wall Street Journal best-selling cookbook author, spokesperson, speaker, leading dietitian, and recipe developer who believes that healthy and wholesome can also be appetizing and delicious. We have known and worked with her for many years, and she actually was on the very first RD Tomato Tour we helped to coordinate with our friends at Pacific Coast Producers. Having experienced the tomato harvest for herself, and being such a credible and widely respected expert on health, food safety and nutrition, we often turn to her to help explain the benefits of tomato products and to bust any negative myths about canned foods. Enjoy below some of her words on canned tomatoes, and a few of her delicious recipes featuring canned tomatoes!
Toby Amidor – As a registered dietitian, part of my role is to debunk nutrition myths and provide a science-based reason why they are myths. As I am a huge fan of canned tomatoes, one of my biggest pet peeves is when folks and media outlets trash canned foods without really knowing all the facts. Please stop trashing canned foods, especially canned tomatoes, and understand the agricultural facts and science. Click here for four common myths about canned foods debunked, plus a ton of ways to use canned tomatoes in your dishes.
Many believe that the foods being canned are rejected foods but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Fruits and vegetables, including canned tomatoes, are specifically bred to be canned for their stronger flavor and for their firmness so they can hold up to being harvested by machines (this doesn’t mean GMOs are used). Over the last 40 to 50 years, scientists have gotten very good at breeding tomatoes to get the perfect blend of flavor and structure. The tomatoes used for canned tomato products are machine picked, not handpicked so they need to be sturdy. After the tomatoes are handpicked, they are cooked to preserve them. No additional additives or preservatives are needed. .
Of course, fresh is certainly a healthy option too. There is a time and place to use both fresh and canned in a healthy eating plan. If the fruit or vegetable is in season, enjoy it as a snack or in a sandwich. However, if you’re cooking or the fruit or vegetable isn’t in season, turn to canned (like canned tomatoes) for the best and most consistent flavor.
Health Benefits of Canned Tomatoes
Tomatoes and tomato products contain a wide variety of nutrients, including vitamin C, Vitamin E, potassium, and fiber. They’re also loaded with powerful antioxidants, such as beta-carotene and lycopene. Tomatoes are actually cooked during the canning process, and lycopene has actually been found to be more absorbable by the body in its cooked form. Therefore, canned tomatoes actually have more of the cancer-fighting lycopene than the raw variety.
In The Kitchen
Canned tomatoes are a permanent staple in my pantry. You can find them in many different forms, such as whole peeled, diced, stewed, crushed in puree, tomato paste and tomato puree. Here are some of my favorite ways to use canned tomatoes:
- Crushed tomatoes are a great base for a creamy tomato soup.
- Diced tomatoes are a nice addition to chili and curry.
- Whole crushed or stewed tomatoes can be used to make a homemade pasta sauce.
- Add tomato paste and/or diced tomatoes to homemade soups.
- Use fire-roasted crushed tomatoes to make a salsa for chicken and fish.
For more recipes featuring canned tomato products, check out some of Toby’s favorites:
Easy Eggplant Parmesan
Warming Tomato Soup with Peas and Carrots
Chicken Parm Casserole
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