Sun-Dried Tomatoes

My love for sun-dried tomatoes began many years ago when they came with a vegetarian pasta dish at an Italian eatery in a suburb of Chicago. Chewy, mildly sweet and tart - what were these delectable morsels of goodness?

Beyond their lovely flavor and unique texture, one cup of sun-dried tomatoes offers abundant quantities of the following health-enhancing nutrients:

1. About a quarter of the recommended daily amount of natural vitamin C to support immune system function, tissue healing, bone and dental health, and protection against excess free radicals throughout the body.

2. Around 7 grams of soluble and insoluble fiber to facilitate optimal absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream and healthy bowel movements.

3. About 40 percent of the recommended daily intake of potassium, a mineral that is essential to nerve function, cardiovascular health, and skeletal muscle contraction.

4. Approximately 8 grams of healthy protein.

5. About 20 percent of the suggested daily intake of vitamin K, essential for ensuring optimal mineralization of teeth and bones.

Sun-dried tomatoes are also abundant in carotenoids that support healthy vision, as well as vitamins B1, B2, and B3, needed for basic metabolic activities in all cells.

Because of their intense flavour profile, you only need to add a small handful to significantly enhance salads, omelettes, and pasta dishes.

Here is a brief look at a simple recipe for scrambled eggs with sun-dried tomatoes and greens of your choice:

Ingredients:

3-5 sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
Handful of chopped greens - spinach, green onions, and basil all work well
2-3 organic eggs, whisked
Sea salt and pepper
Cooking oil of your choice

Directions:

1. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and greens to whisked eggs.

2. Warm up cooking oil over medium heat in a pan.

3. Use a wood spoon or fork to stir ingredients as soon as they hit the hot pan until scrambled to your liking. Transfer to serving plate, season with sea salt and pepper.

If you have a favourite recipe that calls for sun-dried tomatoes, I'd really appreciate you sharing with our community via the comments section below. Thanks so much.