Central Market Tomato Salad

IMHO there is never a need to let a tomato go to waste....so whether you have an abundance growing in your garden or you just feel the need to buy a bunch at the local farmer's market, this recipe is an absolutely delicious dish to eat on its own or serve as a side dish to a summer lunch or supper.

Central Market Tomato Salad

2 ripe homegrown tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and cut into a small dice

2 scallions, white parts, about 1" of the green, thinly sliced

2 T chopped fresh parsley (I'm gonna experiment and use cilantro)

1 t sherry vinegar

1 T extra virgin olive oil

Juliet Harbutt Redesdale (cheese, is kinda firm but crumbly)--(I'm using feta or a dill goat cheese)

Salt and Pepper to taste

Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and allow the flavors to blend.

A couple variations Kari plans on trying: Balsamic, Basil, and Mozzarella. Red Wine, Thyme, and Goat. Using the flavored Olive Oil. Maybe different herbs, Rosemary, Mint...

It's been a difficult summer...so I'm trying a new recipe

1. big battle with depression
2. having to go to doctor 3 times for suspicious mammogram, which the surgeon has decided is nothing to get excited about
3. totally unmotivated to exercise because I really hate to sweat

so....trying to get back in a good mental space with school starting, finding a good food routine, and finding things to be thankful to God for

Tomato, White Bean, and Bacon Soup

1/4 lb. bacon, diced
1 lg. onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 c. peeled, chopped tomatoes (or, if your tomatoes didn't do a darn thing this summer use canned tomatoes w/juice)
2 c. chicken broth
1 T. dark brown sugar
1 can white beans, drained
optional: some type of small cooked pasta such as bow ties (a/k/a farfalle, shells, ditalini, or orzo.
salt & papper to taste

Note: to peel fresh tomatoes, cut a shallow X shape one one end, blanch in boiling water for about 30 sec., remove from water and skin should easily peel off.

Cook bacon in medium heat in large saucepan unti lightly browned. Remove from pan and placed on paper towels to drain.

Add onion to pan, cook on medium heat until soft. Add garlic and cook about 1 more minute.

Add tomatoes & broth. Cook about 20 minutes.

Stir in brown sugar. Add beans, bacon, and pasta (if you are using it). Add salt & pepper to taste.

Serve with crusty bread or cornbread.

Ummm...the yummiest!!!

I've had to give up bread for the most part....it's something I very, very seldom have...which means I've had to give up my favorite summer sandwich in the world....bacon and tomato!!! I haven't missed a lot of things from my former out-of-control eating, but I have missed those sandwiches this summer!

Here is a yummmy alternative:

3 thick slices of fresh tomato (if it's from the garden, even better!)

3 thin slices of fresh mozzarella cheese

1 T. Bella Sol's Blackberry Ginger Basalmic

2 slices of thin precooked bacon, heat in microwave for 20-25 secs

some fresh basil, cut in strips (optional)

Put cheese slices on tomatoes. Drizzle basalmic over cheese. Break up bacon and place some on each slice. Top with fresh basil.

Eat....DELICIOUS!

While in Galveston, Kari and I visited the Saturday market where a lady told us to try this basalmic....man, was she ever right...the flavor is incredible and fresh tasting! The mozarella just soaks it up...ummmmm...try some!

Naked Ladies in the Garden!!

it takes talent...although, I'm not sure what kind of talent it takes to grow this!! It has been on the vine for about 6 wks....and since it was supposed to be a red bell pepper, I refrained from picking it while it was green....it has literally taken weeks for it to turn red! So....last week it decided to turn a nice red....and upon inspection, it had also decided to start growing this green projectile shape off in another direction!! I finally couldn't stand it any longer and picked it this morning....




I'm also growing this wild tangle of mini pumpkins, nasturtiums, and morning glories.....I literally just threw the flower seeds out, but deliberately planted 2 hills of pumpkins (I had 4, but upon transplanting 2 of them, they just fell over in a faint by the next day and never recovered). I've been keeping this watered well...it's entertaining me (ok...so it doesn't take much to entertain me these days!) Lisa and Lori gave me a funny garden "peacock" for my birthday...can you see him in the pumpkin patch? If not, I took a close-up below.

I've also been trying to grow a bushel of tomatoes for weeks....'cause I just can't live without tomatoes!! and is there anything better than a tomato right off the vine? I've watered it every day....it has grown to this ginormous size....it has been covered in little yellow flowers....but no tomatoes...until FINALLY...this past week it decided to put forth a bit of effort and produce a tomato...and then I found two more...so I've got a whopping total of 3 tomatoes growing so far.

Oh...did I mention the naked ladies in the garden? For those of you hoping to get a glimpse of something a big more risque, I'm so sorry to disappoint you! Tricia gave me these flower bulbs five years ago....they always produce a lush bunch of greenery in the spring and then die off. Then at some point during the summer to early fall, some of them may or may not decide to appear. It is some type of delicate-colored pink lily, but I have no idea what their "real" name is...Tricia just said they are naked ladies....and I thought that was really funny and had to have some growing in my yard! Thanks, Tricia! I think of you everytime I look at them!