How to Make Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Sun dried tomatoes are so delicious that you can eat them like candy, but they're also superb in pasta and a number of hot dishes, and delicious tossed on a salad. You can make your own sun-dried treats at home if you can't find them in the store or want something you know is fresh.

Things You'll Need

• Ripe tomatoes
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Garlic cloves, finely chopped
• Fresh oregano, finely chopped
• Fresh basil, finely chopped
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

1. Core the tomatoes, remove the center parts and cut them in half crosswise.

2. Squeeze each half to push out most of the seeds and scrape the rest of the seeds out with your finger.

3. Lay the tomato halves, cut sides up, on a baking sheet and drizzle or spray them with olive oil.

4. Sprinkle the tomatoes halves with oregano, basil, garlic and salt and pepper to taste.

5. Bake the tomatoes at 200 degrees for 4 to 6 hours or until the tomatoes feel dry.

6. Allow the tomatoes to cool and then cut them into quarters.

7. Store the sun-dried tomatoes in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a food dehydrator, use it to dry some cherry tomatoes. Cut the tomatoes in half and lay them in the dehydrator with the cut sides up. Dry them until they're firm and dry, at least 12 hours. Store them in a ziplock bag in the freezer.