Sun dried tomatoes

[Chap]

I was never a big fan of sun dried tomatoes, but I'm trying to use them. I bought a 1/2 pound or so and brought them home and added olive oil to them. If I keep them in the frig they get all coagulated. Is it ok to keep them out or will they go bad?

[Food Network Fan]

I get them in jars sometimes that I store in the fridge. The keep for 2 or 3 weeks according to the expiration date. But it does get the weird cold oil clumps.

[Food Network Fan]

This says you can keep them if they aren't in oil for 6 to 9 months in the fridge or freezer. So I guess I could keep mine longer. I need to start looking for the ones with further off dates when I shop I guess.

http://homecooking.about.com/od/food...rytomstore.htm

[Chap]

I bought them loose. I keep hot peppers for months on the counter, but I wasn't sure about the tomatoes. I would never use them in 2 or 3 weeks. I guess I'll just look for the 'fuzzy' stuff to make a decision.

[Clove]

Originally Posted by Chap

I was never a big fan of sun dried tomatoes, but I'm trying to use them. I bought a 1/2 pound or so and brought them home and added olive oil to them. If I keep them in the frig they get all coagulated. Is it ok to keep them out or will they go bad?

The worst thing that will happen to the sun dried tomatoes in olive oil, if you keep them in the refrigerator is that the oil will get cloudy and somewhat thick.
It will thin out and clear up when it returns to room temperature.

Generally the oil will keep the tomatoes from spoiling if kept at a cool temperature.

I find that the oil packed tomatoes are easier to use than the harder, dried ones that are not oil packed.

I also like the oil after the tomatoes have been in it for a while. It picks up some tomato flavor and adds so interesting tastes to various dishes too.

[Chap]

I take them out before I need them and so far they haven't gotten fuzzy....so I guess that was a good decision.

I like to use the oil that things marinate in too.