Blender Salsa

I picked some fresh tomatoes from Meg's garden this afternoon.  In the mood for the fresh tomato salsa I always make, but not having the energy to chop and dice, I decided to try throwing it together in a blender.  I didn't really measure, but I'm putting the recipe below so I can remember it later.

IN THE BLENDER:
1 medium red onion
1 small jalapeño
3 cloves of garlic
6-7 small tomatoes
a handful cilantro

Pulse.  It will be pink, frothy, and soupy.  Pour into a medium bowl.

TO ADD TEXTURE, I ADDED:
7-8 more small tomatoes (chopped)
1/2 of a jalapeño (diced)
another handful cilantro (chopped)

FINALLY, THE SPICES:
2 tsp vinegar
1 tsp sugar
6-7 dashes roasted cumin powder
2 dashes cayenne pepper
Salt to taste

Fried Green Tomatoes?

Did you know that a green tomato is just a tomato picked before it's ripe? While searching online for a good recipe, I discovered that many people don't know this...they are trying to figure out which type of tomato it is and where they can buy them.

Luckily for me, I can find green tomatoes at the farmer's market, since I live in a totally shaded yard that does not allow me to have my own garden.

Yesterday at the farmer's market, I chose 3 red tomatoes and 2 green tomatoes - Red for caprese and green so I could try to make fried green tomatoes. You really can't live in the South and NOT try fried green tomatoes and fried okra at least once.

Dare I say that my recipe probably rivals Sipsey's?!

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

3 medium green tomatoes
1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup milk

2 eggwhites

1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup cornmeal
2 tsp course ground salt
1/4 tsp course ground pepper
1/4 - 1/2 cup olive oil

1. Slice the tomatoes 1/4 to 1/2" thick (I preferred the thicker slices)

2. Dredge in flour
3. Dip into milk/egg white mixture
4. Dip into breadcrumb, cornmeal, salt and pepper mixture

5. Cook in 1/4 - 1/2 cup olive oil at medium heat until browned, turning once.

6. Drain on paper towels

7. Serve hot

I like mine dipped in fresh ranch dressing!

This is certainly not something I'll be adding to my regular menu (because it's fried), but it definitely was a delicious Southern treat!

Caprese Sandwiches

Self explanatory, no? I did drizzle a little olive oil and a sprinkle of salt on them.

It tasted like a garden in my mouth! Everything homemade or homegrown except the mozzarella. Yum.

Focaccia Caprese

I think I may have died and gone to Tuscany! Is there ANYthing better than fresh basil?

I had some fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil in the fridge, and I immediately thought of bruschetta for dinner....but I didn't have any bread. I've made focaccia a few times in the past month and thought this could be a quick and easy solution to my missing ingredient.

It turned out to be the PERFECT solution. Jimmie said, "I think I could eat this EVERY DAY and never get tired of it." And THAT is the litmus test!



Start with a basic focaccia recipe.

1 package yeast
1 tsp sugar
1/3 cup hot water

2 cups flour
1 cup warm water

1 tsp salt
2 Tsp olive oil

Place the yeast, sugar and 1/3 cup water in a bowl and let sit for 10 minutes until creamy.
Add the yeast mixture to 2 cups flour in a medium bowl.
Add warm water 1 Tbsp at a time until a dough forms.
Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead for a minute.
Place in a bowl coated with oil and let rise for 30 minutes with a damp cloth over the top.
Preheat over to 475.
Turn dough out onto a floured surface and deflate, kneading into desired shape.
Place on baking stone or sheet, brush lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and any desired seasonings.

Bake at 475 for 10 - 20 minutes (depending on how crispy you like your bread).

I cooked mine for 15 minutes. It's not perfect. It stretched out larger than the baking stone and I squished it together to make it fit. This bread's got character.



While focaccia is baking, dice tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella cheese.

I found it easier to slice the bread with a pizza cutter BEFORE adding toppings.

Sprinkle with salt [the tomatoes will need it].


Enjoy!