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Tomatoes
Tomatoes: fruit or vegetable? This war has been going on for 200 years, when the tomato was considered even poisonous! So, fruit or veggie? My tomatoes are a vegetable and I will always refer to them as such. And now the newspapers have come out with something new and the headline screams: Keep tomatoes out of the refrigerator! The reason? "Tomatoes stored at the temperature in most refrigerators, irreversible genetic change takes place, that erase some of the flavor forever!".

Now; really? And how much do we care about that? Or do you? All I can tell you is that there is nothing better than a very cold tomato right out of the fridge! Instead of a salad (and we get enough of those on "the tray" which the L&M gets...as I said before, remember?...) we have a new favourite; I cut up tomatoes, mix them with thinly sliced red onion and sea salt. We have it every day and there is nothing better under the sun! For the moment... But the tomatoes must be very cold! I even keep them in the door of my fridge, because this seems to be the coldest part of it! Some things actually freeze there!

Of course I went to my friend The Google and this is what he had to say: "A tomato is a nutrient-dense superfood that offers benefit to a range of bodily systems. Its nutritional content supports healthful skin, weight loss, and heart health". And there are half a dozen pages more! So, if you are interested do have a look!

There are so many things you can do with tomatoes, starting with soups, and finishing with... tomato jam! Just saw a mention of it in a magazine!! You can cook tomatoes, bake them, roast them and fry them, stuff them and crush them... It really is a perfect veggie and for so many things, we love it.

I used to make a wonderful tomaoto soup, but I can not remember it at all! My mother used to make a wonderful one as well and again I have no recollection what went into the pot! True, I have not made it for a long time, but such a blank?... So, of course I went for help to "my friend" and you can find everything you need and want to know there! In case you do not have a "Google" they claim that the best tomato soup is made by using butter, tomatoes and onion, simmered together until they look good and friendly. Then liquid is poured in (Water? Stock? Milk? Half-and-half?...) salt-pepper and always a bit of sugar! I was very surprised the first time I was told that! "It is for the acidity!" I was told... When you cook tomatoes you must add some sugar! Right! Always take good advice, I was also thought!

If you are interested in making tomato jam (and I really do not see why you should be!) it is very easy and they insist that it is very good!: 1-1/2 pounds good ripe tomatoes (cored and coarsely chopped) 1 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice and 1 tablespoon fresh grated or minced ginger. Just simmer it all together and hope for the best!

There are dozens and dozens of recipes; The Guardian newspaper came out with three great ones: bulgur, tomato and aubergine salad... Tomato, chard and spinach with fried almonds?... And a "ratatouille"! Just that name will stop me from making it! All three have a dozen or more ingredients and I am not going into that! Just ideas which you may want to use or not.

I think I told you that I stuffed a tomatoe the other day and the L&M was delighted! "You must make this more often", he declared! I had large tomatoes so I cut them in half, scooped out everything that could be removed. The important thing before stuffing the tomatoes is to wipe them dry with paper towels. I used tuna salad, mixed with chopped yellow cheese, white cheese, a hard boiled egg and some onion? And yes, of course, mayo! Looks great on a green lettuce leaf, and tasted marvellous!

A reader sent me this dressing, saying that she is tired of the mayo dressings and this one took its place! 1/2 tsp mustard, 1/2 tsp runny honey or maple syrup, 1 splash red-wine vinegar, 1 big splash extra-virgin olive oil, salt and black pepper. Just mix well. She quadruples the recipe and keeps it in the fridge where is stays fresh for ever!

Shana Tovah to you-ALL! Let us all pray, for a A Happy and Healthy New Year.

Send your questions to The Wacky Cook: email: debbiemorgenshtern@gmail.com      

Debbie Morgenstern is the author of "My Life in Israel" and other short stories.
"My Life in Israel" can be purchased by accessing this link: "My Life in Israel"