You say tomato, I say pizza!

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!

Farm Fresh Friday: Honor System

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?
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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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Pretty in pink.

I still had some leftover spaghetti squash hangin’ around and I wanted to use it before I go on my trip so I came up with this concoction.
Spaghetti squash sauteed with some balsamic vinegar, topped with baby heirlooms and goat cheese :D
In a pretty pink bowl!
Yummm! When you deck your squash up like this it really is hard to tell that it is not the real thing!
So even though I packed last night, laid out my traveling outfit, have everything all ready…I still feel like I am forgetting something?! Maybe it is because it is all to easy to just jump on a plane for the weekend? I hope I have everything!

Spaghetti Squash on Foodista