Making the pasta Marinara...

[RawMagnolia]

how long should I soak the sundried tomatoes??

Thanks!
Sandra

[JennaBoBenna]

I think soak them until they are soft :) soak em and check back every now and then

[Shivananda]

Yes, soak them until they are soft. A couple of hours should suffice. Or overnight in the refrig. Or if you are in a hurry, with very warm water, 20 mins.

[RawMagnolia]

Thank you both soo much. I made the marinara... and it's tast-Y!!!!

[mbf]

Glad yours came out well. That's our dinner tonight.

It took me some time to get used to the pasta and like it enough to make it for meals. I found the texture is everything, really have to get that fine angel texture. I also found it helped if I tooke the tomatoes out of the fridge a few hours before and let them get to rom temp so the marinara was not cold.

I usually soak the sun dried tomatoes about 30 minutes just because I always forget to, going to put them in to soak now though and will let you if there is a bug difference from 30 minutes to all day.

MBF

[Shivananda]

I also found it helped if I tooke the tomatoes out of the fridge a few hours before and let them get to rom temp so the marinara was not cold. Wait, don't tell me... you don't mean you keep your fresh tomatoes in the fridge do you? Please tell me it isn't so! Nooooo <weeping softly>

Oh my, the things people don't know these days...

I never ever ever ever ever put whole fresh tomatoes in the refridgamarator, and have been known to froth at the mouth when I see others do it. Tomatoes should be kept cool, but not cold, because refrigerating tomatoes ruins their flavor. Many growers have even taken to putting a notice on their shipping boxes, and stickers on the tomatoes saying "Please do NOT refrigerate."

Now raise your right hand, and repeat after me, "I will never, ever, ever....

[mbf]

Shivananda, i'm sorry but I was laughing reading your post ! You crack me up ! anyway, totally makes sense....we don't find them refridgerated in the store !

Thanks !

MBF

[Shivananda]

I didn't always know this myself, until a friend who was a passionate gardener long before I was gave me a simple experiment to try...

Take two identical ripe tomatoes, preferably home grown (for maximum impact) and put one in the fridge overnight while the other sits on the counter.

The nexy day, take the cold tomato out and place it next to the other one to warm to room temperature.

When both are at the same temperature, slice and taste. One will taste fresher and brighter and more vibrant.

And that tastier one will be the one that never got the chills.

Tell a friend.

[mbf]

Thank you again, my tomatoes are sitting on the counter now !

MBF

[tvillemom]

I NEVER KNEW THIS!! Thank you Shivi! I always get a good laugh at your posts....but this was serious....I'm a tomato abuser! :p Shame on me...well, never again. I have this one question, well maybe two....how long will they stay "fresh" on the counter, and where's the best place, I'm running out of counter space here! (between the 2 banana hangers, HUGE dehydrator, the microwave{I know, don't shoot me, but my sad family still uses it}) I'm running out of room. Can I hang one of those multi tierd baskets in the corner and put them in? What else shouldn't be in the refrigerator?? Thanks for the knowledge. Oh yeah, and is it too late to "save" them if they've already BEEN IN the refrigerator?
Wendi

[aisah]

Now raise your right hand, and repeat after me, "I will never, ever, ever....

**raises right hand**.... I will never, ever, ever..... BUT WAIT!! what if one lives in a warm tropical island like I do?? :confused:

[pinkyarrow77]

Aisah
The way I look at it, consider yourself lucky. :p

[aisah]

Aisah
The way I look at it, consider yourself lucky. :p

me lucky?? or you mean to say the tomato is lucky.... or um 'unlucky'... boy am I confused!! :o ;) :D