“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Is There Anything More Beautiful...

                                                             at this time of year other than a tomato?

I think not.

My Homegrown Tomatoes
We have been feasting on tomatoes the past couple of weeks. Eagerly waiting for them to get completely ripe before we pick them. This has definitely been a test of our patience!

First we started with the BLT sandwiches and then the tomatoes went  into basic lettuce salads. Of course we both love the caprese salads, so we had to have those. Then it was back to more BLTs. After I thought we better cut back on all the pork, I also made a pineapple-tomato salsa that was excellent on some grilled salmon. Eating them plain with just salt and pepper is great but I wanted to add a few new recipe ideas to my cookbook folder.

Hunting through Pinterest for fresh tomato recipes, I came across the one below. It was still very refreshing and the grilled onions gave it a unique and interesting flavor. I will be making this again soon. I changed the recipe slightly for my own taste and ingredients on hand, if you would like the link to the original recipe, click on the picture below.




Fresh Tomato Salad with Grilled Onions
A summer side dish with grilled onions adapted from a recipe by chef Rob Rainford.
Yield:
6 servings

Ingredients:
1 red or yellow onion, sliced into 1" rings
2 tbsp canola or grape-seed oil
salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
6 medium homegrown tomatoes

Vinaigrette
1/4 cup grape-seed oil
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup white vinegar
3 tbsp finely chopped fresh tarragon
1 tsp Dijon mustard
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions:

Step 1: Two hours before grilling, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients together in a bowl and add onion rings, tossing to coat. Marinate at room temperature.

Step 2: Fire up your charcoal or preheat your gas grill. Grilling temperature should be around 325°F to 350°F. Prep the grill for cooking over direct heat.

Step 3: Core the tomatoes and cut them lengthwise into quarters. You want large, chunky pieces for this rustic grilled salad.

Step 4: Remove the onion rings from the vinaigrette, reserving the vinaigrette. Brush the onion rings lightly with a little oil and season them with salt and black pepper.

Step 5: Place the onion rings on the grill and cook until lightly charred, 6-10 minutes per side on medium-high heat.

Step 6: Remove onion rings from the grill and set aside to cool slightly. Whisk the vinaigrette until nice and thick.

Step 7: To assemble the salad, combine the tomatoes, cooled onion rings and vinaigrette in a bowl and you're done. Serve this salad buffet-style or in individual salad bowls.

For more check out my pinboard....









Have you tried any new fresh tomato recipes this season?


14 comments:

  1. Yummy! They look delicious (beautiful colour!) - no wonder you could hardly wait to try them. I don't think I could survive without tomatoes - they are the one thing I can say with confidence I always have to hand - I don't think I could make a salad or sandwich without one and I cook with them all the time!

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  2. Yum yum yum! That is my type of meal --- a tomato salad with onions and a homemade vinaigrette. Mmmmmm...mmmmm....Your tomatoes look wonderfully delicious.

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  3. Fine specimens there! I eat tomatoes by the handful, even as a child they were one of my favourite foods. I love them with feta cheese, but that recipe looks and sounds good!

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  4. I LOVE tomatoes and this tomato salad made me drool on my keyboard a little. I know gross, but it looks real yummy.

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    1. HeeHee! They are soooo...good! We had a Greek salad tonight with some artisan bread from the Farmer's Market. Add a little wine and you have a fabulous meal!

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  5. We've been harvesting and eating grape tomatoes for the past 2 or 3 weeks. We just pop them in our mouths like candy -- no special recipe needed!

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  6. O, this looks so good. Thank you for sharing! I like tomatoes roasted on a baguette, drizzled with garlic, basil leaves, and olive oil (or, in other words, bruschetta :) So glad to have discovered your adorable blog!

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  7. I have and they are soo good. I love mine in a grilled cheese. but this recipe looks great.
    Cathy

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  8. Those tomatoes look fabulous ... believe it or not, here in Florida the local tomatoes are awful ... I sure do miss my Dad's home grown and organic tomatoes (from New York). Waiting out Isaac and hope it doesn't rain anymore since our courtyard floods every time it does ... we just noticed that the gutter between our townhouses is broken and leaks into our yard ... yikes, never a dull moment ... thanks for this delicious post.

    Happiness Always
    Jan

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    1. What? Tomatoes from Florida not good? Maybe it's the soil, or the salt air? Interesting! Hope Isaac is gone soon!
      Blessings!

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  9. Dear Diane - just had a tomato sandwich for lunch - I am like you can't wait until they get ripe. Like a kid in the candy store - glad they are good for you! (LOL) Have a great week.

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    Replies
    1. Yup, they are great any old way you fix them!

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  10. Yum! I love tomatoes, and those ones look super delicious! As does the recipe!

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