| Need a meal in minutes? Canned tomato products | | | | croutons and grated Parmesan cheese. Makes 6-8 |
| are your solution. These products are colorful, | | | | servings.SOLE POACHED IN TOMATOES AND |
| tasty, and healthy. According to a 1997 University | | | | WHITE WINEINGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 pounds sole |
| of Illinois nutrition study, the lycopene in canned | | | | fillets (or talapia); 3/4 cup diced canned tomatoes, |
| tomatoes may help to prevent prostate cancer. | | | | drained; 1 medium onion, chopped; 2 tablespoons |
| Other studies, including a year-long study | | | | chopped Italian parsley; 1/8 teaspoon freshly |
| conducted by the University of Toronto and | | | | ground pepper; 1 clove of garlic, minced; 1/2 cup |
| another study at Harvard University, turned up | | | | dry white wine; 1/4 cup half and half; 1 tablespoon |
| similar results.Canned tomato products are rich in | | | | soft butter; 1 tablespoon Wondra flourPlace fish in |
| vitamins A and C. One half cup of canned | | | | a non-stick skillet. In a bowl combine tomatoes, |
| tomatoes equals a serving from the vegetable | | | | onions, parsley, seasonings, and white wine. Pour |
| group on the U.S. Government Food Pyramid. The | | | | over fish. Put lid on skillet, leaving a crack for |
| USDA has posted recommendations for storing | | | | steam to escape. Poach fish for 5-10 minutes or |
| and using canned tomatoes on its Website. | | | | until it flakes with a fork.Take lid off skillet. Drizzle |
| Canned tomatoes should be stored in a cool, dry | | | | half and half around fish. Work the flour into the |
| place, the FDA says, on a shelf and not on the | | | | soft butter and add this roux to the fish sauce. |
| floor.You should avoid freezing canned tomato | | | | Move the skillet in a circular motion over medium |
| products or exposing them to sunlight, the FDA | | | | heat until sauce thickens. Serve with rice and |
| adds, because temperature changes shortens | | | | butter lettuce salad. Makes 4 servings.CHEDDAR |
| their shelf life and speeds deterioration. Leftover | | | | SCALLOPED POTATOES AND TOMATOES WITH |
| tomatoes should be refrigerated in non-metallic | | | | BACONINGREDIENTS: 3 medium potatoes, |
| containers that have tight lids. Use these leftovers | | | | washed but not peeled; 14 1/2- ounce can of |
| in 2-4 days.Never buy products in dented or | | | | diced tomatoes with juice; 3/4 cup frozen |
| bulging cans. Tomatoes are acidic and, to prevent | | | | chopped onions; 1 1/2 tablespoons Wondra flour; 2 |
| a reaction between the acid and the metal, the | | | | cups mild cheddar cheese, grated (may use |
| inside of the cans has been sprayed with a | | | | Velveeta); 2.8-ounce package of real bacon pieces |
| protective lining. Dents may damage this lining and | | | | (the precooked recipe kind)Coat a shallow baking |
| the product may be spoiled.Tomatoes are a fruit | | | | dish with cooking spray. Cut potatoes into thin |
| and an adaptable fruit at that. There's nothing like | | | | slices. Combine tomatoes, onions, and flour. Spoon |
| a bowl of Tomato-Basil Soup with Caesar | | | | a little of this sauce on the bottom of the baking |
| Croutons on a rainy day. If you like fish you'll like | | | | pan. Layer potatoes, tomato mixture, bacon, and |
| Sole Poached in Tomatoes and White Wine. As | | | | cheese in dish, ending with cheese. You should |
| for Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes and Tomatoes | | | | have enough for two layers.Bake, uncovered, at |
| with Bacon, they go with just about everything, | | | | 425 degrees for 30 minutes or until the potatoes |
| including scrambled eggs. Got a can | | | | are tender. Tent the dish with non-stick aluminum |
| opener?TOMATO-BASIL SOUP WITH CAESAR | | | | foil if the cheese browns too quickly. Cool for five |
| CROUTONSINGREDIENTS: 1 large can of tomato | | | | minutes before serving. Makes 6-8 |
| puree (28 ounces); 42 ounces prepared chicken | | | | servings.Copyright 2005 by Harriet Hodgson |
| stock (the kind in the cardboard carton); 1 1/2 | | | | Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 27 |
| tablespoons sugar, garlic powder to taste (about 1 | | | | years and is a member of the Association of |
| teaspoon); 1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil; | | | | Health Care Journalists. Before she became a |
| Caesar salad croutons; grated Parmesan | | | | health writer she was a food writer for the |
| cheesePour tomato puree into soup kettle. Using | | | | former "Rochester Magazine" in her hometown of |
| the empty can as a mesuring cup, add 1 1/2 cans | | | | Rochester, MN. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through |
| of chicken stock to the puree. Pour in a little more | | | | Your Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with Lois |
| stock if the soup seems thick. Add remaining | | | | Krahn, MD, is avalable from A five-star review of |
| ingredients except croutons. Cover soup and heat | | | | the book is also posted on Amazon. |
| until it starts to simmer. Garnish with Caesar salad | | | | |