Fresh Summer Tomatoes

Tomatoes are at their best right now. Enjoy them while they last!

Pick bright red tomatoes that are ripe and delicious.

For a salad.

slice tomatoes into slices and arrange in a line on a bed of baby arugula or spinach. On special occasions I buy the Cookstown Greens Organic aromatic medley with edible flowers, baby pea shoots and other fragrant and pungent flavors. I also add very thinly sliced vidalia onion. Sprinkle with fleur de sel, pepper and fruity olive oil.
Toast some pine nuts, chop some basil, add some fresh mozarella cheese or goats cheese. The popular choice of cheese these days is Burrata Cheese. A creamier variation on the mozzarella di Bufala. All are good choices.

Toast some slices of bread and serve. Simply perfect.

For a pasta:

Take whole tomatoes and throw in a pot and a considerable pour of olive oil!

Let simmer until tomatoes turn to sauce on medium to low heat. I let them stew for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Break up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon or a potato masher. Once they have turned soft add more olive oil and salt.

Stew for about an hour or two more.

In a saute pan add the onion and garlic just a small amount of olive oil.

Saute on medium to low heat until translucent about 4 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and leave to simmer for about 1/2 an hour. If the sauce begins to thicken take of the burner.

Add basil and serve on fresh pasta.

Measured Recipe for about a 1 liter Jar

2 cans of Whole Italian Plum tomatoes(pomodorino, san marzano, aurora)

1/3 cup olive oil

6 garlic cloves left whole

I small spanish onion or white onion finely diced

Basil

Salt

Pepper

To make it arrabiata add some chilli flakes to onion and garlic mixture.

Serve on favorite pasta with parmesan.

To spice it up even more...add chopped fennel to the onion and garlic mixture. Throw in some capers, and olives...ta da you have a delicious sauce for fish!

For a Thai Dish

Use the stewed tomatoes and add coconut milk, fresh chilli, sambal oelek, fresh ginger, fresh lime juice. add to chunks of cooked fish or chicken to create a delicious fresh summer stew!