the lazy list: it's tomato summer and I'm acting accordingly
6 ridiculously easy ways to let peak season tomatoes make you look like a genius
What’s the lazy list again? Making dinner (and life) feel just a bit easier for you, is kind of my thing. So each week I send my high-impact, low-effort faves straight to your inbox including:
• Some super easy recipes from the dinner, sorted archives so you don’t have to worry about dinner next week
• My favorite lazy girl finds. The things I swear by that make my life easier
• Any hot tips I’ve got on how to live your best lazy life
this week's lazy list: peak tomato season recipes
Okay, can we talk about tomatoes right now? It's full tomato summer and I am absolutely here for it. You know I love a farmers market, and there's nothing I love more than a juicy tomato that smells like summer and actually tastes like something instead of those sad, mealy grocery store imposters we suffer through all winter.
This is the magic of peak tomato season! It's like nature's way of giving us a cooking break. The tomatoes are so ridiculously good that you can literally just slice them, sprinkle some salt, and call it dinner. But since we're all here to be a bit more elevated than that, here are six super simple recipes that let these beauties do all the heavy lifting.
pan con tomate with sesame prawns
why it's perfect: this is my go-to when I want something that feels like a fancy Spanish tapas bar but I'm too lazy to leave my kitchen. The cream of tartar trick is a game changer! You get the FRESHEST flavor on the tomatoes, and the sesame + prawns make it feel elevated as heck.
lazy girl hack: use the coarse side of a box grater and grate the tomatoes directly into your serving bowl so the skin stays behind automatically. Buy pre-cooked prawns and just toss them in the garlic butter to warm through. Toast the bread while you prep everything else.
fresh tomato tomatini
why it's perfect: because sometimes I want to drink my vegetables and feel sophisticated about it. This is my FAVORITE cocktail!!! It’s like if a bloody mary went to finishing school… it's refreshing, looks impressive, and uses up those perfect tomatoes in the most fun way possible. Plus, it was such a fun collaboration with Steph!
lazy girl hack: muddle everything right in your cocktail shaker - no fancy juicing equipment needed. Make sure you make extra cause these go down smoooooth.
balsamic chicken with marinated tomatoes and bocconcini
why it's perfect: it's the kind of dinner that makes me feel like I have my life together. The tomatoes get all sweet and jammy while I'm doing basically nothing, and that balsamic glaze makes everything look restaurant-worthy.
lazy girl hack: use chicken thighs instead of breasts. They're impossible to overcook so you’re safe no matter what. Buy pre-marinated bocconcini from the deli or just use regular mozzarella balls. Let the tomatoes sit with salt while you do everything else - they'll start breaking down on their own.
20-minute shakshuka
why it's perfect: I still make this on repeat at least once a week for lunch because it's basically the perfect lazy person's meal. The tomatoes do all the heavy lifting by turning themselves into sauce, and I get to feel accomplished for "cooking" when really I just cracked some eggs into a pan.
lazy girl hack: I don’t know if it gets easier than this, you toss whole cherry tomatoes in the pan and let them burst naturally and your work is done. Use whatever bread you have (even frozen works), and if you don't have cottage cheese, ricotta or even cream cheese works. The goal is protein + minimal dishes.
pomodoro with fresh stracciatella and basil oil
why it's perfect: this is what I make when I want to feel like I live in Italy. The tomatoes are so sweet and perfect right now that they barely need anything, and that creamy homemade stracciatella makes me feel fancy for a quarter of the price.
lazy girl hack: buy store-bought pesto instead of making basil oil, just thin it with olive oil and call it a day. Cherry tomatoes cook fastest, so stick with those.
tomato boursin tart
why it's perfect: puff pastry is basically cheating in the best way, and when your tomatoes taste this incredible, you really don't need to do much to make something impressive. Paired with an herby cheese like Boursin, it’s about as easy as it can get.
lazy girl hack: buy the pre-rolled puffed pastry, and don't stress about perfect tomato slices. Make a bunch and freeze half unbaked for emergency entertaining. They bake straight from frozen, just add a few extra minutes.
other tomato essentials
I’ve done the browsing for you! one less task to check off
tomato top: very on theme, and so cute
tomato plate: spread them out, not piled deep. They look better and taste juicier!
cream of tartar: a pinch brings out flavors you didn't know existed
good olive oil: for aggressive drizzling from a chic bottle
flaky salt: get the good flaky stuff that crunches and melts on your tongue
salt cellar: makes you feel like a pro even if you're just salting toast
mayo + bread combo: the holy trinity of summer snacking
sauvignon blanc: the acidity cuts through an olive oil or a burrata, plus those herbaceous notes love basil just like a tomato does
chic wine glass: bonus points for great glassware that feels restaurant quality
small serrated knife: clean slices on juicy heirlooms without the massacre
Save your energy for what actually matters... like finding the perfect farmers market that’s on route to the ice cream shop. Don't forget to let me know if you try any of these recipes in the comments ⬇️
yum
I cannot express enough how much I LOVE the shakshuka - I make it at least once a week!