Fresh Off The Vine July 27, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Home & Garden, Vegetarian Recipes.comments closed
Tomatoes scream . . . IT’S SUMMER!
It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato. ~ Lewis Grizzard
If you have a bumper crop of vine-ripened beauties sitting on your counter, here are a few serving suggestions:
* Check out Andra’s simple and elegant Caprese Salad. Tomatoes also brighten up Cobb, Caesar, and Chef Salads.
* Serve Shrimp Cocktail in a martini glass on a bed of shredded lettuce and chopped tomato seasoned with a lemon vinaigrette.
A world without tomatoes is like a string quartet without violins. ~ Laurie Colwin
* Make a Tomato Pie or a super simple Bruschetta. Or liven up a Welsh Rarebit with sliced or diced tomatoes.
* Slide tomatoes into sandwiches and wraps. Or whip up a batch of Tomato Cheese Spread for crackers or bagel crisps.
* Dice tomatoes into pasta salad, couscous, or rice salad. Or toss hot buttered noodles with roasted garlic, tomatoes, and crumbled feta.
* Stuff tomatoes with rice and cheese. Or risotto.
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad.
* Make homemade salsa or pico de gallo to serve with tortilla chips, quesadillas, burritos, or tacos.
* Whip up a batch of tomato soup or Bloody Mary mix.
* Combine diced tomatoes with fresh corn kernels, black beans, and scallions to make a colorful Fiesta Salad. Toss with oil, vinegar, lime juice, and Tabasco.
* Make a Tomato Sandwich or a PBLT ~ Peanut Butter, Lettuce, and Tomato.
A medium tomato has 35 calories. lots of vitamins, and virtually no fat or sodium.
* Lecsó, a spicy Hungarian dish, puts summer-ripe tomatoes and hot peppers to good use. Serve over rice or noodles.
* Add a chopped tomato to a Spinach Rice Casserole.
* Tuck a slice of tomato into a Grilled Cheese sandwich or Panini.
Aah . . . that’s better!
What’s your favorite way to enjoy tomatoes at the peak of the season?
Spirit Lights The Way 