Tomatochef: from seed to plate

This summer, one of my allotment beds has turned into something of a tomato jungle. What started with a few St Pierre, Candy Crush and Millionaire Matchmaker seeds has grown into over ten thriving plants, with scrumptious fruit. The taste of these tomatoes is on another level – sweet, rich and miles away from the bland watery supermarket versions. Friends and neighbours have been commenting on how delicious they are, which makes all the hard work worth it!

But as any grower knows, once the tomatoes ripen, they all ripen. Suddenly, I’m faced with baskets of shiny red jewels and the joyful challenge of what to do with them. Enter my kitchen alter-ego: Tomatochef.

Here are some of the dishes I’ve been cooking up with my glut of homegrown tomatoes:

🍅 Tomato and Basil Soup

Simple, fresh and comforting – this has become my go-to lunch. A drizzle of olive oil and some crusty bread, and it’s perfect.

🍝 Spicy Tomato and Chorizo Pasta

Rich tomato sauce meets smoky chorizo for a proper midweek treat. I like to add a pinch of chilli flakes for extra warmth.

🥔 Potato and Tomato Gratin

Layers of soft potato, juicy tomato, and a lot of cheese on top – the ultimate comfort food that feels like sunshine on a plate.

🧀 Tomato, Pepper and Cheese Risotto

Creamy, tangy, and packed with flavour. The fresh tomatoes cut through the richness perfectly.

🍛 Tomato and Chickpea Curry

A hearty, plant-based dish where the tomatoes shine in a warming sauce. Great for batch cooking and freezing.

I love that with just one ingredient – fresh, homegrown tomatoes – the possibilities are endless. Next on my Tomatochef list? I'd like to try chutney, tomato tart, homemade ketchup, or even slow-roasted tomatoes to save a little taste of summer for later.

Do you have a favourite tomato recipe? I’d love to hear it. Even though autumn's kicked in and winter is coming, my tomato jungle will likely keep me busy for another couple of weeks!