Thought you might like a tasty peek at my latest for Warrenton and Gainesville-Haymarket Magazines. I’m their Food and Wine writer. “Totally Tomatoes” will appear in the September issue.
Warrenton, Gainesville and Haymarket (in case you’re not from this area) are three sleepy little Virginia towns that the world has grown up around.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Totally Tomatoes
By Karla Jones Seidita, Home Economist
I love tomatoes. This time of year, I just can't get enough whether they’re my home grown or from the local farm stand.
For sandwiches, I luv‘em big, red and gnarly. Thick slices of gnarly red tomatoes peeking out of white bread dripping with mayo. I could eat them morning, noon and night.
For salads, it’s cherry tomatoes. Whole in my salads saves me prep time. For fancy dinner parties, I cut them in half.
Then there’s platters of red, yellow and orange tomatoes layered with slices of mozzarella and fresh basil that I take to barbecues and grilling parties. My homemade vinaigrette travels in a jar. When we arrive, I give the dressing a shake and drizzle it over the salad. Impressive yet embarrassingly easy.
But now tomato season is coming to an end. It’s time for it’s last hurrah.
Bruschetta
Italian salsa!
So good the day it’s made. Better the next.
Be sure to roast the garlic to mellow. Raw garlic is sharp and increases in sharpness as the bruschetta chills.
Spread on toasted or sauted crusty bread for snacks, lunch or as a first course. Serve with chips for dipping. Top grilled fish or hamburgers. Use anywhere you LUV salsa.
Ingredients
3 to 4 cups small dice tomatoes (any type – peeled or not)
6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons mashed roasted garlic (about 6 cloves – recipe follows)
3 Tablespoons fresh parsley (no stems – finely minced or 1 Tablespoon dried)
1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
1 small red or Vidalia onion (small dice - about ¼ cup)
Optional - black olives
Directions
Mix everything together. Chill.
Quick Roast Garlic
Microwave unpeeled garlic till soft – 30 to 45 seconds. Cool until easy to handle. Peel cloves. Mash soft cloves with a fork.
Also in the September article are recipes for……
· White Pizza with Herbed Chevre and Fresh Tomato
· Homemade Bloody Mary Mix
Hungry for more?
I’m Home Economist Karla Jones Seidita and I write Delicious Stuff.
See more of what I do @ CheesecakeFarms.com.