Fresh, juicy tomatoes complement many dishes, but cooked tomatoes are rich and flavorful and full of health benefits. While levels of vitamin C in tomatoes drop significantly when they are cooked, lycopene levels increase dramatically, according to researchers at Cornell University. Lycopene is an antioxidant that can help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Tomatoes lend themselves to a wide variety of cooked dishes. They also cook up quickly, making them ideal for busy days.
Stovetop
Tomato sauce may be the first thing that comes to mind when cooking tomatoes; peeled, diced tomatoes sauteed with garlic and fresh herbs make an easy topping for pasta. Fried green tomatoes, however, are a popular Southern dish. To accompany a traditional British breakfast, slice small tomatoes in half and fry them briefly in a skillet . Peeled and pureed tomatoes are perfect in a healthy soup, particularly if you're watching your sodium intake and are avoiding canned soup.
Oven
Stuffed and baked tomatoes make a good side dish or an entree, depending on the size and other ingredients. Try beefsteak tomatoes stuffed with couscous and artichoke hearts for an entree. Stuff large cherry tomatoes with chopped mushrooms and goat cheese for a side dish. Slice roma tomatoes lengthwise, sprinkle them with sea salt, and drizzle with olive oil before roasting in the oven at a low temperature for a few hours; the resulting sweet tomatoes are perfect as a topping for bruschetta or pizza. For an unusual and savory pie, layer slices of firm tomatoes, fresh basil and mozarella cheese in a pie shell, cover with bread crumbs and bake.
Grill
Nearly every variety of tomato takes to being grilled. Try sliced heirloom varieties and make sure they're fresh. Sprinkle them with fresh or dried herbs, and drizzle with olive oil before putting on a hot grill for just a few minutes. If you're cooking on an outdoor grill, throw a wet sprig of fresh rosemary on the coals to subtly flavor the tomatoes. String cherry tomatoes on skewers with other vegetables and meat, or alone, for grilled kebabs.
Other Dishes
When tomatoes aren't the star of a recipe they make a good supporting ingredient. Use them in any kind of chili or in a vegetarian stew for color and flavor. Indian curry dishes often incorporate tomatoes. Try a vegetable curry from the south of India that incorporates tomatoes with potatoes, carrots and other vegetables with aromatic spices. Creole gumbo often uses tomatoes, but don't confuse it with Cajun gumbo, which does not. Add tomatoes to your favorite casserole, or stir fry for a healthy and tasty kick.
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