From Canapes to Colourful Dishes, 5 Ways to Brighten Summer with Mix-a-Mato®

Summer is the entertaining season. It’s all about family barbeques, dinner parties, picnics and long, leisurely brunches in the sunshine. So whether you’re whipping up a dish for the neighbourhood picnic, having friends over for nibbles and drinks in the backyard, or planning a weekend barbeque, Mix-a-Mato^® tomatoes make it easy to create bright and colourful dishes that’ll impress. They’re Aussie grown, so they’re fresh all year-round.

Bright, Beautiful Salads

Summer barbeques, family gatherings and potluck style dinners all require a standout dish that’ll bring guests back for a second helping. Here’s a secret, you don’t need to be a professional chef to create a dish that wows, you just need to be clever. By using Mix-a-Mato^® in your salads, it elevates the dish that little extra bit, taking it from the everyday to something extra special.

Need some inspiration? Click here for delicious salad recipes to try using Mix-a-Mato^® tomatoes today.

Colourful Canapes

Entertaining? Creating a selection of incredible canapes and shared platters can break the ice and get guests socialising. After all, nothing brings people together like great food and these gorgeous gems are a crowd-pleaser.

Summer is all about lighter, flavourful meals so go fresh by skewering Mix-a-Mato^® tomatoes with fresh basil and bits of bocconcini cheese for bite-sized take on a Caprese salad. Swap the bocconcini for halloumi, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and pop them on the grill for a tasty summer treat. Find the recipe for Mix-a-Mato tomato & barbecued haloumi skewers here.

Need a quick canape? Slice the tomatoes in half and top with caviar or cream cheese and a bit of dill, a dollop of your favourite dip, whatever you like.

Add them to your grazing platters like this tomato medley tasting plate as well as cheese boards for a colourful burst of freshness or take some inspiration and create a dish that encourages everyone to sit around, socialise and enjoy a great meal like this cheddar pull apart recipe that’s easy to make and always a hit at parties.

Posh Pastas and Paellas

Sure you can use regular, everyday tomatoes for your pasta dishes, but why would you want to when you can create something that looks a million bucks without any extra effort? Take your favourite pasta recipes and swap with Mix-a-Mato^® tomatoes and viola you’ve got yourself a brand-new take on a new, even better recipe that’s colourful, bright and above all, delicious. This easy tomato pesto pasta recipe is quick, delicious and is certain to become a family favourite with Mix-a-Mato^®.
Chilled pasta dishes are always great for summer entertaining and the mix of bright colours, shapes and sizes you’ll get from the tomatoes is certain to turn heads. So pop them into your favourite pasta salad dish and watch people go back for more.

For warm pasta dishes or paellas, swap out tinned tomatoes for fresh and take your pasta game to the next level. Need inspiration? This paella recipe is easy and perfect for entertaining.

Charismatic Cocktails (or Mocktails)

Yes, Mix-a-Mato^® tomatoes are the perfect size to pair with a celery stalk and garnish your bloody Mary but that’s not all.

Try a Mix-a-Mato^® margarita. With their signature variety of bright colours, they add the perfect bit of flair to your cocktail (or mocktail) garnish. Just muddle two or three Mix-a-Mato^®s until they’re juiced in a cocktail shaker, and a pinch of salt, add in your favourite margarita recipe (tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice) shake until chilled, double strain into an ice-filled and salt-rimmed glass and garnish with a few Mix-a-Mato^®s on a bamboo skewer. Mix the colours or keep it uniform. You can even take it up a notch and gently grill the tomatoes before skewering.

Alternatively, try a twist on your martini with a tomatini, a sweet and sour drink that was made famous by Jimmy Barrett in the Dubai World Class Bartending competition. Just muddle two or three Mix-a-Mato® tomatoes in your cocktail shaker and prepare your martini as you normally would but this time try a gentle white pepper rim and garnish with skewered tomatoes. The colour will leave guests impressed.

Sensational Snacks

If all the above hasn’t inspired you, here’s the best bit. Not only are Mix-a-Mato^® tomatoes bright, juicy and oh-so-tasty, they’re also rich in natural antioxidants, and fibre. They’re low in calories, fat and sugar and make a healthy snack that’s great for you.

Quick, easy, light and healthy, this recipe for tomato crostinis make the perfect snack anytime or a brunch favourite. Alternatively, kick up the spice with this recipe for tomato medley tortilla cups made as bright and colourful as Mexico with Mix-a-Mato^®.

When the summer temperatures heat up, there’s nothing better than a sweet and fresh snack that delivers a burst of flavour. They also come conveniently packed for on-the-go snacking.

No matter how you use your Mix-a-Mato^® tomatoes this summer season, they’ll no doubt make your dishes brighter, flavourful and perfect for entertaining.