Showing posts with label tomatoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tomatoes. Show all posts

Sunday, August 1, 2010

I love summer...


Heirloom tomatoes with goat cheese and pesto, spanish tortilla, white corn

I absolutely adore summer, especially in California (you know where the temperature rarely reaches 85 degrees). AJ and I have gotten in the habit of frequenting the Mountain View farmer's market every Sunday. It is a lovely little ritual. We get some fresh air and sun, while picking up fresh produce for that evening's dinner. AJ bought me some lovely sunflowers. I didn't realize it until we brought them home, but they're actually dyed with a pink water to get that vibrant orange color!

We also picked up some blackberries, raspberries, peaches, dates, heirloom tomatoes, basil, potatoes, eggs, white corn, and onion. I knew I wanted to do a twist on the caprese salad for dinner, but wasn't sure what else to make.


Corn for the corn! I love those corn holders.

Potatoes have made a comeback as one of my favorite foods, especially after Heather made some delicious roasted ones with chilis. I had never made a spanish tortilla before, but was suddenly inspired to make one after picking up some beautiful yukon golds. For side dishes I sliced the tomatoes and topped them with peppercorn crusted goat cheese and my own basil pesto. This combo is absolutely divine! The tortilla came together fairly easily. I sauteed the onion with olive oil and boiled the potatoes for 3-4 minutes before adding them to the onions, with some garlic. I recommend letting the onions get fairly brown and caramelized - the flavor is worth the wait! Our meal was so simple, but so flavorful.


Close-up of the tortilla.

We topped our meal off with some watermelon and dates. A sweet end to a sweet meal.


I look a little tired from my run. That melon revitalized me.

Spanish Tortilla

3 medium sized yukon gold potatoes
1 large yellow onion
2 cloves garlic
4 eggs
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Olive oil

Directions

Boil a pot of water. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in frying pan on mediumheat. Cut potatoes in half, then slice them crosswise into thin slices (matchsticks) and boil for 3-4 minutes. Drain potatoes in colander. Cut onion into thin slices and sautee in pan for about 5-6 minutes. Add potatoes and garlic to the onions and cook on medium heat for another 7-8 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool in colander.

Mix 4 eggs in a large bowl with salt and pepper. Add onion and potatoes and mix with eggs. Add 2 tablespoons oil to frying pan. Add egg mixture to frying pan and cook for 5 minutes. Take a plate and place it over the pan. Invert the pan and tortilla onto the plate. I put tin foil on the plate. This made it easier to add the tortilla back into the frying pan and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve warm.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Summer is Here - First Caprese Salad of the Year!


Clockwise (from left): toasted Henry's Harvest bread from Grace Baking Co., sunflowers, sauteed asparagus and cauliflower with garlic, and caprese salad.

There are so many wonderful things about summer - corn, berries, peaches, but one of the best things is ripe heirloom tomatoes. One of my favorite dishes is the caprese salad. I know what you're thinking, that played out salad that you see on every italian menu in town is getting you excited? And trust me you can really mess this dish up. But the key to making this simple dish is using really good ingredients. I head to the farmer's market for some amazing heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil.


Caprese salad close-up: Heirloom tomatoes, mozarella, basil, and balsamic vinegar.

Using fresh, exceptional ingredients makes a simple salad a really amazing meal. I drizzle a little balsamic vinegar on top of the sliced tomatoes and mozarella and torn basil leaves. It is just wonderful! I toasted up some bread, sauteed some cauliflower and asparagus and my vegetarian feast was ready. Also, I just love the colors, don't you?

P.S. Malia get ready for some wonderful Cali eats!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Open Face Veggie Sandwiches



Toasted challah, goat cheese, eggplant, pesto, and fresh tomato.

I have been on somewhat of a pesto kick. With fresh herbs, garlic, and nuts to be found in abundance at the farmer's market it only makes sense. I made up a batch of baby spinach, walnut, and parmesan pesto. I didn't feel like doing a pasta dish, and instead decided to whip up a couple of open faced sandwiches. I sauteed some eggplant and then toasted some challah in the same pan. I spread goat cheese on the toasty bread, topped with eggplant, pesto, and slices of fresh tomato.

The combination of flavors was wonderful, with the freshness of the ingredients playing a critical part in the success of this dish. The tangy and creamy goat cheese was the perfect partner to the zesty garlicky pesto. The sweetness of the eggplant and the tomato worked so well with the two spreads. The toasted challah served as the perfect vessel for the delicious toppings.




AJ lifts the sandwiches every so delicately so as not to lose any of the sandwich components.

This sandwich is a keeper. Feel free to experiment with different kinds of vegetables. These would make an elegant addition to a Sunday Brunch or could serve as an appetizer at a dinner party.