As the summer months arrive on the islands of Animal Crossing, the islanders’ gardens begin to flourish with the sights and aromas of fresh tomatoes. With the season’s bounty finally arriving, the islanders start preparing some of their favorite tomato-centric dishes. One such dish is Tomates al Ajillo, a simple recipe built around tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs.
For this version of the dish, cherry tomatoes are blistered in garlic- and chili-infused olive oil until they begin to soften and release their juices. The dish is then finished with sherry vinegar and fresh basil, creating a bright and flavorful sauce perfect for toasted crusty bread. Simple yet comforting, it’s an excellent way to enjoy the garden vegetables and warm evenings characteristic of summer life on the islands.
Ingredients
2 cups cherry tomatoes (about 30-40 cherry tomatoes)
⅓ cup olive oil
5 cloves garlic, sliced
½ tsp crushed red pepper
2 tsp sherry vinegar
Small handful fresh basil, thinly sliced
Salt to taste
Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and red pepper. Sauté the garlic until it is fragrant and just starting to turn pale gold, about 1 minute. Stir consistently to prevent the garlic from burning or over browning.
Add the cherry tomatoes along with the salt. Allow the tomatoes to blister and wrinkle, shaking and stirring the pan occasionally. Lightly press a few tomatoes so some juices mingle with the garlic oil. The tomatoes should soften and blister within about 5-7 minutes.
Add the sherry vinegar and stir it into the tomatoes and oil. Stir in the fresh basil and serve immediately.
Scoop the tomatoes onto toasted bread and enjoy!
Learn more about Tomates al Ajillo from Animal Crossing New Horizons at the Nookipedia.