If you have 5 minutes, then you have time to make a healthy snack (one of my personal favorites). Toast 1 slice of whole grain bread, rub with the cut-side of a halved garlic clove and then with a halved plum tomato. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with kosher or flaky sea salt. (Image courtesy of Food Network Magazine. Use whole-grain bread to amp up the healthfulness of this super-fast snack.)
Maybe you’ll even have enough time to make one for a friend!
What would you make if you only had 5 minutes?
- Ketchup: friend or foe?
Ketchup goes with just about everything—French fries, eggs, hash browns, burgers, deli meats . . . the list goes on and on. This red condiment has been touted as being healthy by some, but does that mean we should be using endless amounts of it?
Yes?
Ketchup is a low-calorie condiment, made from tomatoes, vinegar, salt, pepper, and spices. It contains 15 calories per tablespoon and vitamins A and C. Compared with its competitor mayonnaise, ketchup has no fat and far fewer calories per tablespoon (mayo contains 103 calories, 12 grams fat). This makes it a healthier choice for those trying to cut out added calories.
Processed and cooked tomatoes were also found to have high levels of the antioxidant lycopene. In 2004, a study released from the Harvard School of Public Health revealed that women who had higher levels of lycopene in their blood had a 50% lower risk for developing heart disease. That study also proved useful for ketchup manufacturers who got the word out that their product is “healthy.” After that I found friends, family and even clients who’d squeeze bottles of ketchup on their plate and rationalize its overuse by saying, “hey, it’s good for me!”
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- Tomatoes. We love 'em. (Who doesn't?)
For all you die-hard tomato fans, these babies are now in season! We’ve dedicated this week to celebrating these red gems. Pick some up during your next visit to the farmers’ market and whip up some tomato-licious recipes.
Tomato Facts
Tomatoes were introduced to Italy in the early 16th century but many folks feared they were poisonous since they belonged to the nightshade family (peppers, potatoes and eggplant also belong to this family). The French, however, felt differently about tomatoes and called them “pomme d’amour” (a.k.a. love apples). Colonists who settled in Virginia brought tomatoes with them, but they didn’t become popular until the 19th century.
Tomatoes are technically a fruit since they grow on vines. They come in various shapes, sizes and colors, too. Don’t be fooled into thinking they should all be round —check out some of the crazy tomato finds out there. Read more »
- Food Network Magazine's Smoky Okra on skewers.
Not sure how to prepare okra in a healthy way? Fried okra is a classic, but this green-hued veggie can also be prepared with few calories and fat added. Here are 5 mouthwatering recipes to get you started.
Pickled
Pickling is an easy way to preserve the summer goodness of produce. Prepare the pickling mixture and just sit back and relax—that’s all there is to it.
RECIPE: Pickled Okra
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- Eggs and cheese: (nutritionally) better together.
Some foods just taste great together, like milk and cookies. But others pairs actually work together to help your body get the most nutrition bang for its buck. Here are 5 of the most powerful food combos.
Eat it together: 5 power food combos »
- Ellie's Sweet Potato-Pecan Casserole
A one-stop meal, casseroles make an easy weeknight dinner (and next day lunch). But many recipes call for cups (yes, cups!) of mayo, cans of creamy soup or lots of heavy cream — if you eat these on a regular basis, you may as well have “911” on redial for the after-dinner coronary. Here are our top 5 lighter casseroles that’ll keep your waist slim and your heart in tip-top shape.
See all 5 lightened-up casseroles »
We’re celebrating tomatoes this week on Healthy Eats, so we’re cooking up a classic. We’ve taste tested the jarred stuff, but nothing beats a homemade batch of tomato sauce loaded with vitamins C and A, potassium and the antioxidant lycopene. With tomato season in full swing, don’t let extra tomatoes go to waste!
Get our favorite tomato sauce recipes »
- Dana's Tomato Jam
When I have a surplus of tomatoes from my CSA, garden and trips to the farmers’ market, it’s time to make a batch of finger-licking tomato jam.It’s spicy, it’s sweet and it’s pretty irresistible. Spread it on sandwiches, whisk into salad dressing, or serve with crackers and some sharp cheddar cheese.
Get Dana’s Tomato Jam recipe »
- Paula Deen's Classic Gazpacho
Enjoy a refreshingly cool (and super-healthy) soup this summer. Make tomato gazpacho in honor of our in-season tomato celebration, or switch it up and use watermelon, red peppers or even grapes.
Get the recipes »
I make it a point to only eat tomatoes when they’re in season. After spending the summer months eating sweet and juicy tomatoes from the local farmers market and my own garden, there’s just no going back to those dull and flavorless ones at the grocery store. So how was I able to make my favorite tomato sandwich for lunch yesterday? It’s all thanks to a local farmer’s greenhouse.
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