Here’s a quick, easy and nutritious dinner your kids can help you prepare. The tomatoes are an excellent source of Lycopene and vitamins C, A and K. Tomato Egg Cups & Toast “Soldiers” Serves 4 - 10 min. prep. time / 25 minutes total time Ingredients: • 4 medium-size vine-ripened tomatoes • Kosher salt and pepper to taste • 4 large eggs • 4 tablespoons shredded white cheddar cheese • 4 slices toast, cut into strips (as shown in photo) Preparation: 1) Preheat the oven to 425° F. 2) Slice off and set aside the top third of each tomato. Scoop out the seeds. 3) Place the tomatoes in a glass or ceramic baking dish. Season with the salt and pepper. 4) Break an egg into each tomato. 5) Bake, with the sliced tops on, for 10 minutes. 6) Remove the tops, add the cheese, and bake until the cheese is bubbly, 5 to 7 minutes more. 7) Let them cool for 5 minutes. Serve them with the tops and toast strips (also called "soldiers"—as your child might be delighted to know) for dipping. ! " " # $ ! % & ' ( ' % ) ! ( " ! " * + & ! ! ,lthough tomatoes are closely associated with Italian cuisine; they are actually originally native to the western side of South America, including the Galapagos Islands. Tomatoes made their way to North America with the colonists who first settled in Virginia, yet did not readily gain popularity until the late 19th century. Since new varieties have been developed and more efficient means of transportation established, tomatoes have become one of the top selling vegetables in this country. Tomatoes are a great vegetable loaded with a variety of vital nutrients. The antioxidant function and cancer preventing properties of carotenoid Lycopene present in the tomato makes it a wonderful addition to a heart-healthy and cancer-preventing diet. They’re also an excellent source of vitamin C (one cup provides 57.3%DV), vitamin A (22.4%DV), vitamin K (17.8%DV) and potassium (11.4%). In addition, tomatoes are a good source of manganese, dietary fiber, chromium, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, folate, copper, niacin, vitamin B2, magnesium, iron, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, vitamin E and protein. So whether it is by tomato soup, tomato salsa, tomato chunks in salad or tomato slices on a sandwich, increasing your intake of tomatoes is an excellent step towards excellent health. ! " # !' & & # $ % $!' ! $ ! !' ! % & % & & $!' $ % % & !% ( & %" , ) * ! * ! + & - - &