Simple Cherry Tomato Recipe

Cherry tomatoes are in at local farmer's markets in Southern California. Use this recipe to prepare a great appetizer before a Summer meal, or prepare to serve alongside grilled steak, chicken or fish.

Cherry Tomatoes Stuffed with Herbed Goat Cheese

For a colorful appetizer, fill bite-size cherry tomatoes, round or pear shaped, with a savory mixture of goat cheese flavored with basil. Minced tarragon or chervil can be used in place of the basil.

24 cherry tomatoes, a mixture of red and yellow
1/4 lb. fresh goat cheese (chèvre)
1/4 cup minced fresh basil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Cut the top off each cherry tomato. Using a small spoon, scoop out the pulp to make a hollow yet sturdy shell. Drain off any juice that accumulates in the shells.

In a bowl, combine the cheese, basil, salt and pepper. Mix with a fork until well blended.

Using the small spoon, fill each tomato with about 1 tsp. of the cheese mixture. Arrange the filled tomatoes on a platter to serve.

Chuck Williams Zucchini

While working for Willams Sonoma, I ran across this recipe from the Founder of Williams Sonoma, Chuck Williams. I think this is one of the easiest and freshest ways to prepare summer zucchini. This recipe was adapted from a recipe from the Williams Sonoma book "Celebrating the Pleasures of Cooking" by Chuck Williams, Time-Life Books, 1997.

Ingredients:
15-20 very small zucchini
Salt to taste
1/2 Lemon

Trim unpeeled zucchini and shred on a small or medium holes of a handheld shredder or grater or a fine-holed disk of a food processor.

Put the zucchini into a large saute pan, cover and place over high heat for 20 to 30 seconds. Uncover and stir, adjusting the heat as needed so the zucchini does not burn. Re-cover, let steam again for 10 to 20 seconds, then uncover and stir. Repeat until the zucchini is just heated through, it should remain crisp and green. If too much juice appears, leave off the cover to reduce liquid. The whole process should only take a few minutes.

Just before serving, add salt and squeeze of lemon. Transfer to a warmed serving dish and serve immediately.