Braised Tomatoes with Garlic and Onion

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you braise tomatoes with onion and garlic? First, get everything ready. Choose tomatoes that are firm, springy, and juicy. You can use a regular yellow onion or a red salad onion — I used both, which made the finished dish more colorful and appetizing.

2. Step 2:

   

   Peel the onion and garlic. Rinse the tomatoes, herbs, onion, and garlic under cold running water.

3. Step 3:

   

   Cut each onion in half, then cut each half into two or more pieces so you get large wedges.

4. Step 4:

   

   Slice the garlic into thin slivers, as in the photo.

5. Step 5:

   

   Cut each tomato in half, cut out the stem end, and slice the tomatoes into wedges.

6. Step 6:

   

   Melt the butter in a skillet and cook the onion in it until softened. Then lift the onion out with a spoon.

7. Step 7:

   

   Add the olive oil to the skillet (refined vegetable oil works too). Add the garlic and tomatoes and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

8. Step 8:

   

   Add the chopped herbs to the tomatoes and salt to taste. Now's the time to add any favorite spices and seasonings. You can also stir in a little tomato paste for a deeper, richer flavor (a scant tablespoon is plenty). Gently mix everything and braise over low heat, covered, for about 5 minutes.

9. Step 9:

   

   Now return the sautéed onion to the skillet. Stir everything gently — so the tomatoes don't turn to mush — and leave it over low heat another 2 to 3 minutes. Take the dish off the stove and let it rest a little while.

10. Step 10:

    

    Braised tomatoes are wonderful served hot.

11. Step 11:

    

    They make a great addition to pasta, mashed potatoes, or boiled buckwheat.

12. Step 12:

    

    They're every bit as good chilled — a perfect match for a crust of fresh bread or a slice of toasted baguette.