There’s only two things that money can’t buy — That’s true love and homegrown tomatoes.
Each year I wait with great anticipation the arrival of the first fresh garden tomatoes. And once they are here — I make sure to eat them every day because I know that in a matter of a few short weeks, they will only be a longing memory.
It doesn’t matter if you just slice them and eat them, put them in a salad, or use them to make a sauce — they simply make every meal taste better. I remember when my kids would ask “What are we having with tomatoes for dinner tonight?”
Here are a couple of simple recipes that I have enjoyed this year to celebrate fresh garden tomatoes.
Easy Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce
2 lbs. very ripe tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp salt
10 basil leaves, chopped
1. Cut tomatoes into a 1/2 inch dice (if you prefer, you can half the tomatoes and remove the seeds first)
2. Cook the garlic in olive oil over low heat until it is soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes)
3. Add tomatoes and salt. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook until tomatoes give off their liquid and start to bubble. Reduce heat to medium-low or low. Gently simmer the sauce uncovered and undisturbed until oil separates from the sauce and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 30 minutes.
4. Stir in basil and salt to taste.
Notes: I like to add some shrimp into the sauce the last few minutes and continue simmering the sauce until the shrimp are pink and slightly curled. Then pour the sauce over my favorite pasta and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Serve with a salad and bread.
Tomato Ricotta Pie
1 15 oz container ricotta cheese
4 large eggs
1/4 cup grated romano or parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup milk
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 pound (or more) ripe tomatoes, sliced
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
1. In a large bowl, whisk ricotta cheese, eggs, grated cheese, salt and pepper until blended.
2. In a measuring cup, stir milk and cornstarch until smooth; whisk into cheese mixture. Stir in basil.
3. Pour mixture into a 10-inch pie pan or oven-safe skillet. Arrange sliced tomatoes on top. (Don’t skimp on the tomatoes! Be sure to cover the entire top)
4. Bake pie 35 to 40 minutes or until slightly browned and set around the edge and the center is puffed. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Variation: Cut 4 – 6 slices of bacon into 1 inch pieces. Cook bacon over medium-high heat, stirring often, until browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain and cool. Stir into cheese mixture in Step 2. Continue with remaining steps.
No Recipe Broccoli Cherry Tomato Salad
Use proportions to your liking
1. Chop broccoli and partially cook to just slightly tender.
2. Cook chopped bacon and drain
3. Chop cherry tomatoes in half
4. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix with bottled ranch salad dressing
5. Serve and enjoy!
Lyrics to: HOMEGROWN TOMATOES
(Guy Clark)
Recorded by : The Blue Dogs; Guy Clark; John Denver; Misty River; Jay Ungar.
There ain’t nothin’ in the world that I like better
Than bacon ‘n lettuce ‘n homegrown tomatoes
Up in the mornin’, out in the garden
Get you a ripe one, don’t pick a hard ‘un
All winter without ‘em is a culinary bummer
I forgot all about the sweatin’ and the diggin’
Every time I go out and pick me a big ‘un
Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes
What would life be without homegrown tomatoes?
Only two things that money can’t buy
That’s true love and homegrown tomatoes.
You can go out to eat and that’s for sure
But there’s nothin’ a homegrown tomato won’t cure
Put ‘em in a salad, put ‘em in a stew
You can make your own tomato juice
You can eat ‘em with eggs, eat ‘em with gravy
You can eat ‘em with beans, pinto or navy
Put ‘em on the side, put ‘em in the middle
Homegrown tomatoes on a hot cake griddle.
Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes
What would life be without homegrown tomatoes?
Only two things that money can’t buy
That’s true love and homegrown tomatoes.
If I’s to change this life I lead
You could call me Johnny Tomatoseed
Cause I know what this country needs
Homegrown tomatoes in every yard you see
When I die don’t bury me
In a box in a cold dark cemetery
Out in the garden would be much better
‘Cause I could be pushin’ up a homegrown tomato.
Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes
What would life be without homegrown tomatoes?
Only two things that money can’t buy
That’s true love and homegrown tomatoes.
