Looking for food-safe eggs???

My friend Abby of the fabulous Three Sisters Farm turned me on to a new local source for farm fresh eggs (and another reason to visit the wonderful Redlands Farmers Market). Abby tells me that "Joe's Eggs" is new to the Redlands Farmers Market, and now we can all purchase farm fresh food-safe eggs from the Redlands Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. Thanks for the tip, Abby!

How 'bout Tomato Pie !!????

Sounds absolutely yummy...
(Thank you, simply recipes.com!)

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/tomato_pie/

Cherry Tomatoes Stuffed with Herbed Goat Cheese

For a refreshing summertime 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.
Serves 4.

Tomatoes: Some of What I've Learned...

Once feared as poisonous and then considered a possible aphrodisiac, the “love apple” now adds its vivid color and delicious flesh to innumerable dishes. Like the potato, this fruit (which is generally treated as a vegetable) is a member of the nightshade family and is native to South America.
After finally gaining acceptance as a food in Europe and the United States, tomatoes became an inextricable part of many cuisines, especially those of the Mediterranean. In Italy, they are used to make sauce for pasta, pizza, and many other dishes. Sliced tomatoes are served with fresh mozzarella, basil leaves and balsamic vinegar to make a Caprese Salad (see “Earth Day Caprese Salad” recipe on this blogspot). Other recipes that depend on tomatoes for their character include minestrone, gazpacho, ratatouille, Greek salad and tomato soup. And, of course, tomatoes are a staple of New World cuisine from the American South’s fried green tomatoes to Texas’s chili con carne, from Latin America’s salsa cruda to (a personal favorite of mine) the “BLT”: bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches.

Today’s health conscious cooks know that, far from being poisonous, the tomato is high in vitamin C and cancer-fighting antioxidants. The tomato comes in a wide range of sizes, from tiny currant tomatoes no bigger than blueberries to fat beefsteaks up to 5 inches in diameter. The colors are varied, too, from white to purple black to reddish black, with green-striped zebra tomatoes. Dedicated gardeners have traced and reintroduced a number of heirloom tomatoes. Look for heirloom tomatoes in a wide variety of colors, size and other attributes.

Storing tomatoes: Most tomatoes, if left whole, should not be stored in a refrigerator. Store ripe, uncut tomatoes at room temperature for several days and the will ripen further. Although whole fresh tomatoes should not be refrigerated, cut tomatoes should be wrapped in plastic wrap or wax paper and then refrigerated.

Another Tomato Recipe ("Re-cycled" from prior post!)

Oven Dried Tomatoes and Goat Cheese Salsa

For oven dried tomatoes:
Preheat oven to 150. Cut tomatoes in half and spread on a cook sheet. Let dry in oven for 5 hours.

For salsa

12 oven dried roma tomatoes (see above)
1/3 cup goat cheese
20 leaves of fresh basil
2 tsp chipotle peppers
salt and pepper to taste

In food processor, pulse tomatoes, goat cheese, basil, chipotle peppers, salt, and pepper to make a chunky salsa. Serve on toasted french baguette slices or with white corn chips.

Got More Tomatoes ?? !

Here's five other uses for your surplus of tomatoes:

1. Make Bruschetta (6-7 tomatoes, 2 cloves minced garlic, evoo, balsamic vinegar, 6-8 fresh basil leaves- minced, salt and pepper to taste). Serve Bruschetta on crustinis.
2. Make Caprese Salad (see recipe this blog)
3. Make Tomato Tepenade (similar to bruschetta but add ½ c to 1 c chopped olives). Serve on crustinis.
4. Make “Oven Roasted Tomatoes” (see recipe this blog)
5. Make fresh tomato sauce.

Got Tomatoes ????

Everyone seems to be asking for tomato recipes. If you have a surplus of tomatoes, try one of these recipes to nicely feature fresh summer tomatoes at their peak!

Tomatoes, Pecans, Peaches, Blue Cheese and Basil Salad
Makes 6 servings

1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar (if no white is available, ok to use dark brown)
1 garlic clove, minced
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large fresh peach, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chiffonade
2-3 lb. sliced heirloom tomatoes
3oz crumbled blue cheese (substitute with goat or feta if you prefer)
½-3/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Whisk together balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, olive oil, and salt. Stir in diced peaches into mixture Place single layer of sliced tomatoes on serving platter. (I usually overlap one edge of tomatoes for a nice presentation) Spoon out peach/balsamic/olive oil mixture over tomatoes. Then sprinkle crumbled cheese, chopped toasted pecans on top of tomatoes. Next sprinkle chiffonade of basil on top. Finally, sprinkle freshly ground pepper to taste. (If you prefer, top with additional sea salt. I prefer to skip this step but I’ve been accused of “under-salting”!)


Grilled Tomatoes with Basil Vinaigrette
Makes 6 servings

3 yellow tomatoes
3 red tomatoes
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Garnish: fresh basil sprigs

Clean and preheat grill. (You may also prepare this recipe indoors using a grill pan on the stovetop). Soak skewers submerged in water for at least ½ hr. Cut tomatoes in half; thread onto skewers, alternating colors. Brush with 1-2 tablespoon oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill, covered with grill lid, over medium heat (300° to 350°) 10 minutes, turning skewers often. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons oil, vinegar, and basil; drizzle over kabobs. Garnish with fresh basil, chiffonade cut.


Roasted Tomatoes with Feta and Basil
Makes 6 servings

6 plum tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup Italian dressing
Handful fresh basil, chiffonade cut

Preparation

Cut tomatoes in half lengthwise, and place, cut sides up, on a baking sheet. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper to taste, Italian seasoning, and feta cheese. Drizzle evenly with 1/4 cup Italian dressing. Broil 3 inches from heat 2 to 3 minutes or just until cheese starts to brown.


Herb-Tomato Crostini

Makes about 20 appetizer servings

1/4 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 (8.5-oz.) French bread baguette, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt (large pinch or two small)
1/8 teaspoon pepper (or ‘small pinch’)
1 large tomato, finely chopped
3/4 cup finely chopped green onions
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

Tip: This is a great ‘make ahead’ recipe. If you make this mixture the night before and allow to sit in refrig in a bowl, the flavors will be greatly enhanced when you serve them the next day. Don’t top the bread until just before serving. (to prevent bread from becoming soggy). Another idea is to serve the topping in a bowl and serve cut bread in basket to side. That way guests can assemble themselves!

Preheat oven to 350°. Stir together olive oil and garlic; brush on 1 side of each bread slice. Place bread slices, garlic sides up, on a baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly toasted. Whisk together lemon juice and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl. Add tomato and next 3 ingredients; gently toss to coat. Top each bread slice with tomato mixture (about 2 rounded teaspoonfuls each). Sprinkle with cheese.

Green Tomato-Fresh Herb Crostini: Substitute 1 finely chopped large green tomato for red tomato. Proceed with recipe as directed.