Few can resist taking a bite out of a fresh-picked local tomato, and now that tomato season is in full bloom, heirloom varieties are at their ripest. Unlike their conventional, dull-flavored cousins, these summer beauties melt sweet, summer-fresh juices into your mouth.
I make it a point to only eat tomatoes when they’re in season. After spending the summer months eating sweet and juicy tomatoes from the local farmers market and my own garden, there’s just no going back to those dull and flavorless ones at the grocery store. So how was I able to make my favorite tomato sandwich for lunch yesterday? It’s all thanks to a local farmer’s greenhouse.
From this week’s nutrition headlines: Tomato crops wiped out by blight, a new Smart Choice logo debuts and more proof that basic healthy lifestyle choices reduce your risk for heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
I had the pleasure of traveling back to my culinary school stomping grounds last weekend — Providence, Rhode Island. While there, we decided to grab a glass of wine at Al Forno restaurant and, of course, have one of their famous pizzas. With all the fresh summer herbs in season, I’ve been on a serious pesto kick lately, so I was super excited when the waiter announced that night’s “special” pizza was a kale pesto pizza! Yep, pesto made from kale. I love, love, love kale and I especially love pizza — so what could be better? Well, my expectations were blown away. The pizza, of course, was phenomenal, but the kale pesto was the star of the show. Mild and smooth, this was one of the best pestos I’ve ever had and so unique to boot.
We’re celebrating the juicy tomato this week (can you tell?). In honor of this yummy summer treat, I went to my farmers’ market and bought every kind of tomato I could find and then set out to make some simple, classic dishes. Here’s how I made out.
You may know that the more you cook a food, the more you destroy its nutrients, but is that true for tomatoes? Not exactly. In fact, some nutrients increase when you cook tomatoes, while others drop off. So what’s a tomato-lover to do?
From this week’s headlines: Restaurant’s heaviest dishes, lower fertility and poor diets linked, a tomato pill for your heart and kids get hands-on with healthy food.
A healthy pantry is the building block for any wholesome meal. For some inspiration, I wanted to share a peek inside my kitchen’s pantry. This is what I always have on hand so I’m prepared on busy days when there’s not a lot of meal-planning time.
My husband and I have a good arrangement. He’s got the green thumb and grows our fruits and veggies. I cook them. We have limited space but still manage to create a pretty impressive garden. If you’re thinking of creating your own, get started with these hints.
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Salmon With Roasted Grapes and Thyme
Hash Brown Casserole
Ham, Apple and Cheese Quesadilla
Crisp Mozzarella Sticks (baked, not fried!)
