📋 I. Ingredients List
You will need to prepare the following ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 🍅 Ripe tomatoes | 1 (approx. 200g) |
| 🫒 Olive oil | approx. 8-10g (or 1/2 tablespoon) |
| 🌿 Freshly ground black pepper | a pinch |
| 🧂 Salt | a pinch |
| (Optional) Italian herbs | a pinch |
👩🍳 II. Instructions
- 1.Prepare the Tomatoes: Thoroughly wash the tomatoes. Cut off the stem ends with a knife, then slice them horizontally into even slices, about 0.5 to 1 cm thick. Gently pat the slices dry with kitchen paper towels. This helps prevent oil splatter during frying and makes it easier to achieve a better texture.
- 2.Preheat the Pan: Place a non-stick frying pan over medium heat to preheat. Add about 8-10 grams of olive oil and swirl the pan to coat the bottom evenly.
- 3.Pan-Frying:
- •Once the pan is hot (the oil should be about medium-hot), reduce the heat to low. Carefully place the tomato slices in the pan, making sure they do not overlap.
- •Pan-fry gently over low heat for about 2 minutes, until the bottoms become soft and turn a light golden brown.
- •Gently flip the slices with a spatula and cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes.
- 4.Seasoning: While the second side is cooking or just after removing from the pan, while the tomatoes are still hot, evenly sprinkle with a little salt and freshly ground black pepper. You can also add a pinch of Italian herbs if you like for extra flavor. Sprinkling with your fingers helps control the amount and avoids over-salting.
- 5.Serving: Once both sides are tender and appealingly colored, turn off the heat and transfer them to a serving plate. Handle with care as they might be delicate, and enjoy them while hot for the best taste@ref
🧂 III. Seasoning Ratio & Nutritional Information
The nutritional information below is an estimate. Actual values may vary slightly depending on the specific brands and exact amounts of ingredients used.
| Seasoning | Precise Amount (g) |
|---|---|
| Olive Oil | 10 g |
| Salt | 0.5 g (a small pinch) |
| Black Pepper | 0.3 g (a pinch) |
💡 Chef’s Tips
- •Selecting Ingredients: Choose tomatoes that are relatively large, with firm flesh, ripe but not overly soft. Such tomatoes have moderate moisture content, are less likely to fall apart during frying, and yield a better texture.
- •Heat Control is Key: Use low or medium heat throughout for slow frying. High heat can easily cause the outside to burn before the inside is heated through, or make the tomatoes too mushy.
- •Flavor Variations:
- •Love garlic? You can add one or two sliced garlic cloves to the hot oil and sauté until fragrant before adding the tomatoes.
- •Drizzle a few drops of balsamic vinegar over the tomatoes just before serving for an instant flavor upgrade!
- •Sprinkle some fresh basil or parsley leaves for a fresh aroma.
- •Serving Suggestions: Pan-fried tomatoes are an all-rounder! They are perfect for a power breakfast served with toast, fried eggs, sausages, or bacon; they work great as a side dish to balance richer flavors like steak, roast chicken, or fish fillets; and they can even be simply served over a bowl of rice or pasta.
