You say tomato, I say pizza!

18 Jul

If your summer is going anything like mine, you have a lot of tomatoes hanging around.  And while I enjoy tomato sandwiches on most afternoons, I have been trying to use tomatoes in practically everything I eat!002
Another one of my summer addictions? Pizza! I’m not sure if it is because it is so simple to eat or because I can make it however I like, but pizza has been a staple in my diet and I’m not complaining.  So instead of buying another jar of pizza sauce I decided to dive right in and make my own!
You will need:
•5-6 medium tomatoes
•1 garlic clove
•1 TBS olive oil
•A handful of fresh basil
•1/2 cup onion
1.) Begin by marking each tomato with two slits to make an “X” and then steam tomatoes.  This may be the hardest part and I promise it isn’t hard.  The steam will begin to peel the skin off where you made then X.  Once the skin begins to peel, remove from water and allow to cool.
2.) Next, chop the onion.  You don’t need to make perfect pieces because you will throw it in the food processor later.
3.) Heat your oil and sauté the onion on medium heat.  While your onion is cooking, cut each tomato and remove seeds and excess juice.  I also allowed the tomatoes to sit in a bowl so the juice would drip out and would not make my sauce watery.
4.) Then add the garlic and cook for a few seconds so you do not burn it.  Add tomatoes and basil and simmer for 10-15 minutes.  This allows the flavors to start intensifying.
5.) I then put the sauce in the food processor for about 30 seconds.  I didn’t want it to get too thin because I wanted a thick pizza sauce.  I then allowed the sauce to cook for a good half hour until it was nice and thick.
6.) Remove from heat and use on your pizza!  This recipe made enough for 2 personal size pizzas so I used one portion and then froze the other half.

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The sauce turned out really well and I was happy with both the flavor and the consistency. Now if only I could bottle the sauce for pizza year round!

Tags: , homemade pizza sauce, margarita pizza, pizza, tomato

Farm Fresh Friday: In the Garden

15 Jul

TGIFFF!  Or, thank goodness it’s Farm Fresh Friday Smile
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As I always mention, one of the perks of buying your produce local is that you know where your food is coming from.
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And in this week’s case, I really know where this food is coming from.  That’s because it is  coming from a family friends’ garden.  If you’re reading, Hi Diane!
From their garden –> table top farm market –> my family’s kitchen.
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And we are once again asked to be honest.  Honesty is the best policy people!
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Rows of tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant and fresh flowers growing.
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I love being able to see a garden and can’t wait to have one of my own!  Maybe it is the little kid in me that loves being able to see the veggies growing and then in baskets for sale.
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Another reason to buy produce from local stands is because it is so much less expensive!  Even if grocery  stores  claim that their products are local, their prices are always going to be higher.
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As my Mom and I drove away on quite possibly the most beautiful day of summer I tried my best to make a memory of a perfect morning when we drove through New Jersey’s countryside in search of fresh finds.  And how moments later we’d be purchasing fresh fruit and chocolate.  But that’s a tale for another day…
Hope your weekend is fresh and fun!

Tags: farm, Farm Fresh Friday, farm stand, , NJ farm stand

TCT tidbits

12 Jul

Here are some Two Cent Tuesday tidbits from me to you!
1.) If you love traveling as much as I do, you’ve often dreamt of traveling more often or… endlessly. Here are some tips on how to make your dreams a reality.
2.) I know I talk about cookies a lot, but here is the recipe for The Infamous Jacques Torres Chocolate Chip Cookies! If they taste as good as these photos look I think they just may be the best chocolate chip cookies ever.
3.) Scallops make an amazing summertime meal but over creamy gruyere polenta?! Now we’re talking.
4.) If you need some photography inspiration or maybe just a good smile check out these photos taken by a Dad of his daughters.
5.) Looking for an inspirational print? I think this one might do the trick.
6.) Have you ever tried a chocolate margarita? Neither have I, but it is now on my to do list!
7.) Check out this list of 52 super foods to feel your best.
8.) Have you seen Crazy Susan’s Cookies on the Food Network? Her cookie shops are located in Ocean City NJ and are delicious (I’ve tried them ! And yes, you can order them online.
9.) Want another way to use watermelon this summer? This recipe is refreshing, spicy, salty and sweet.
10.) Do you ever have a serious chocolate craving? I’m pretty sure this recipe will fix that… three times over.
Did you learn or see anything interesting!? As always, I’ll have more great links for you next week! Thanks for stopping by.

Tags: interesting sites,

Farm Fresh Friday: Honor System

8 Jul

Now that we are smack dab in the middle of the summer the fresh produce is in full swing.  Weekends are filled with farmers markets and during the week farm stands are selling their goods.  And while the honor system may seem common where I’m from, I realize that it is a bit unusual, especially in 2011.
So what exactly am I talking about?
When it comes to  farm stands many local farmers use the honor system where customers can simply walk up, pick out their produce that has already been priced and then put their money in a container.

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While this may seem a little crazy, I am so thankful that this system can exist, allowing everyone to purchase what they want and enables the farmers to continue doing their work.  Plus, it you can take your good old time and be picky because no one is waiting for  you.  013
I drive by this farm stand every summer and always stop for their tomatoes.  Their marketing is pretty simple but works well!  The sign that they have that says tomatoes are 1/2 mile away seems to work because there are always people pulling in and out of the driveway.

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So when I stopped by with my friend Nichole  we explored the farm a bit and checked out what was being sold.  Of course I bought a big ole bag of tomatoes!  I’m planning on making some homemade pizza sauce with Jay soon for pizza on the grill – a summertime favorite!

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We peeked into the garage where there were tons of tomatoes!

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And some that weren’t quite right for selling.
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Although I did feel bad for them that they were unusual and no one would buy them.  And no, I have no idea why that sign says the rocks are for sale.

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Being able to use the honor system restores my faith that there are good people in the world and that all people really want is their produce Smile

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Tags: Farm Fresh Friday, honor system, produce, tomato

Artichoke, something green. Happy Birthday, SWEET SIXTEEN!

7 Jul

Happy Sweet 16 to my cousin Margaux – a fun, beautiful and brilliant girl. It is hard to believe that I can actually remember her being born and celebrating her first birthday when today it doesn’t feel like we are that many years apart.
Our love of clothing, makeup, photography and of course, cooking, is what brings us together. Whenever we get together we swap favorite makeup brands, latest finds and what’s cookin’ .
There is one recipe in particular that Margaux has been begging me to cook, post and share with her:
Artichoke Dip
Preheat oven to 350
You will need:
•14 oz. artichokes in water
•1/2 cup light mayo
•1/2 cup sour cream
•1/8 tsp. Tabasco Sauce
•1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1.) Begin by draining artichokes and finely chopping.
2.) Next, add the remaining ingredients and stir thoroughly.
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3.) Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly around the edges and the dip begins to brown on top.

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As you can see this recipe is simple but the results are so delicious. The sweet, tender artichoke hearts melt perfectly into the creamy dip that pairs well with crackers or bread. It is a recipe that you can whip up if company is coming unexpectedly or if it is just simply your 16th Birthday.
Happy Birthday Margaux, here’s to many, many more.

Tags: appetizer, appetizer recipe, artichoke, artichoke dip, artichoke recipe