VEGGIE PERFECT
Some vegetables can be baked or partially baked as a prep
method. Th e oven can also be used to steam certain veg-
etables, like potatoes and large squash, by sealing the
vegetable with a small amount of water in an aluminum
foil pouch before baking.TRICKS OF THE TRADE A good trick to remember is that the
caramelized residue on the baking sheet after tomatoes are baked is
a good enhancement to baked foods. Use an offset spatula to scrape
the caramelized drippings from the tomato baking pan. Place the
residue on the hero food or plate with an artist’s brush.Baking Vegetables
Cooking tomatoes with the skin on is best achieved in
the oven. Th e tomatoes can be cut in half or quartered.
Remove the seeds and liquid interior with a sharp-
edged spoon. I use my trusty metal camping spoon but
a grapefruit spoon works well too. Place the tomatoes
on a baking sheet and sprinkle them with olive oil. Bake
in a preheated oven at 350ºF for 25 to 45 minutes,
depending on the size of the tomatoes. Remove them
from the oven when they have a little browning on the
edges. When the tray has cooled to the touch, cover the
tray of baked tomatoes with plastic wrap until needed
to build the hero dish.