DOMESTIC DILEMMAS

Don’t be daunted by that diva demeanour – Friday’s very own chef Silvena Rowe is happy to answer all your kitchen queries To add more flavour to strawberries, sprinkle them with vanilla extract and lemon juice

QWhen

I buy tomatoes, they often look ripe and juicy but taste bland. How can I salvage them? AThe

best thing to do is roast them. This dehydrates the tomatoes and intensifies their flavour.

Preheat the oven to 120°C. Now chop up the tomatoes – this should be done according to the variety, which means beef tomatoes should be cut into thick roundels, roma tomatoes should be halved lengthwise, and cherry or grape tomatoes should be left whole.

Place the tomatoes in an even layer on a baking sheet that is lined with aluminium foil. Next, sprinkle some sea salt and finely chopped herbs over the tomatoes and roast them for about 2 hours. You can even add garlic for a more robust flavour.

When the tomatoes are cooked, let them cool down and then transfer them to a clean jar. Pour some good-quality olive oil over them and refrigerate. They should last a couple of weeks. Use them in salads, with fresh cheese, on crostinis or in quiches with other vegetables. They are absolutely delicious!

QStrawberries

on sale seem like a bargain but they don’t taste remotely like the real deal. What do I do with them? AIf

you were to ask your mother, she’d probably tell you to chop them up, sprinkle them with sugar and set aside for about half an hour. It’ll not only sweeten the strawberries, but soften them and make them juicier. But if you want more flavour, then sprinkle over a few drops of vanilla extract and lemon juice. And if you still want some more flavour, add a pinch of ground cinnamon or cardamom. Freshly chopped mint or basil complement strawberries well, too.

QWhenever

I heat or cook foods with a strong odour in the microwave, I end up with a smelly microwave for a long time. What’s an easy, chemical-free way to ensure that my microwave smells squeaky clean?

ALet

lemons be your saviour! Put half a lemon in a microwave-proof bowl that is half-filled with water. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat for 5 minutes with the setting on high. Remove the bowl. Now wipe inside the microwave with a clean damp cloth and voila! You will have a microwave with a wonderful citrusy fragrance.