Ella Walter
Grilled cherry tomatoes are a quick, easy, and healthy side dish that can be cooked in a pan. They are a great way to use up extra cherry tomatoes and can be cooked in just a few minutes. The natural sweetness of the tomatoes is enhanced by grilling, and the charring adds a smoky flavour. This dish can be served on its own, with other grilled foods, or as a topping for pasta or salad.
Grilling Cherry Tomatoes in a Pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cookware | Grill pan or skillet |
| Heat | Medium-high |
| Preparation | Rinse tomatoes, pat dry, skewer, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper |
| Cooking time | 4-6 minutes on each side |
| Serving suggestions | Italian dressing, fresh herbs, grated Parmesan or vegan Parmesan cheese, garlic parmesan oil, balsamic vinegar |
| Storage | Covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare the pan
To prepare the pan for grilling cherry tomatoes, start by choosing the right cookware. A skillet or a grill pan made of cast iron or stainless steel is ideal. Ensure the pan is large enough to accommodate the desired quantity of tomatoes without overcrowding. Clean the pan thoroughly to remove any residue from previous cooking. Use hot water, a mild detergent, and a sponge or scrubber to scrub the surface gently. Rinse well and dry the pan completely using a clean cloth or paper towel.
Once the pan is clean and dry, place it on your stovetop or grill. Turn on the heat source and adjust it to medium-high heat. Allow the pan to heat up gradually for a few minutes until it reaches the desired temperature. This step is crucial as it ensures the tomatoes will cook evenly and effectively. A properly heated pan will also help prevent the tomatoes from sticking to the surface.
Before placing the tomatoes in the pan, it is essential to add a coating of oil to create a non-stick surface and enhance the flavour. Choose an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, refined olive oil, or canola oil. Pour a small amount of oil, approximately 1-2 tablespoons, into the centre of the pan. Using a heat-resistant silicone brush or a cloth, carefully spread the oil evenly across the entire cooking surface, including the sides if necessary.
As the oil heats up, you may notice it starts to shimmer or form little bubbles. This is an indication that the oil is hot and ready for the tomatoes. At this point, you can add the cherry tomatoes to the pan. If you are using skewers, ensure they are placed gently and not overcrowded in the pan. For a simple preparation, sprinkle the tomatoes with a pinch of sea salt to enhance their natural sweetness.
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How to prepare the tomatoes
Grilled cherry tomatoes are a fast and easy grilled vegetable side dish that is perfect for barbecue meals. They are ready in just 5 minutes on a hot grill.
To prepare the tomatoes, start by rinsing the cherry tomatoes under cold running water. Drain and pat them dry with paper towels. If you are using skewers, there is no need to soak them beforehand as the tomatoes cook very quickly. Then, slice the tomatoes in half lengthwise. If your tomatoes are quite big, you could cut them into three slabs horizontally, just make sure they aren’t too thin.
Drizzle or brush the cut sides with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic, basil, or parsley. You can also drizzle the tomatoes with balsamic vinegar or Italian dressing.
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Grilling the tomatoes
Grilling cherry tomatoes is a simple and quick process. You can use any type of small tomato, such as grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, or yellow pear tomatoes. Start by rinsing the tomatoes under cold running water and patting them dry with a paper towel. Then, skewer the tomatoes and brush them lightly with olive oil. You can also sprinkle them with salt and pepper, or just sea salt, to taste.
Next, heat a grill pan or skillet to medium-high heat. Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent the tomatoes from sticking. Place the skewered tomatoes on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the skin is slightly charred and a few tomatoes begin to split open. You can also look for grill marks to indicate doneness. If you are not using skewers, place the tomatoes cut-side down on the grill and grill for 4 to 6 minutes, then flip and grill for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until tender.
Once the tomatoes are grilled to your liking, remove them from the grill and serve them on a skewer, or remove them from the skewers and place them in a serving dish. Grilled cherry tomatoes can be served as a simple side dish or used as a garnish on grilled chicken or fish. They are best enjoyed warm, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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How long to grill the tomatoes
Grilling cherry tomatoes is a quick and easy way to elevate your meal. The grilling time for cherry tomatoes depends on the level of heat you are cooking at and the size of the tomatoes.
If you are grilling cherry tomatoes on skewers, it should take around 5 minutes on a hot grill. You will know they are done when the skin is slightly charred and a few tomatoes have started to split open.
If you are pan-roasting cherry tomatoes, first heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the tomatoes for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are shrivelled.
If you are halving your cherry tomatoes and grilling them cut-side down, heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the tomatoes for 4 to 6 minutes, or until grill marks form. Flip the tomatoes and grill for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until tender.
If you are looking for grill marks on your cherry tomatoes, it is important that the grill is hot before you add the tomatoes. This helps prevent them from sticking.
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Serving suggestions
Grilled cherry tomatoes can be served in a variety of ways. They can be used as a garnish on grilled chicken or fish, or added to a salsa or pasta salad. They can also be served on skewers, or removed from the skewers and placed in a serving dish.
If you're looking for a more substantial dish, grilled cherry tomatoes can be added to grilled French bread with herb cream cheese or served with sliced fresh mozzarella as an impromptu Caprese salad. They can also be paired with grilled meats, such as London broil, or with pasta and a mushroom cream sauce.
Grilled cherry tomatoes also make a great side dish on their own, especially during the summertime. They can be seasoned with salt and pepper, and drizzled with Italian dressing, Greek dressing, or olive oil. For extra flavour, add some fresh herbs like basil, mint, or cilantro, or sprinkle on some crumbled feta or grated Parmesan cheese.
Leftover grilled cherry tomatoes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days and enjoyed cold, or gently reheated in the microwave. They can also be added to a green salad or used as antipasti.
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