Tomatoes are making their way into nearly every meal just now... I prepare them the lazy way - quartering them and tossing them into an enamelled cast iron pot with sauteed onion and olive oil. Next, I add a huge dump of herbs and spices - whatever I feel like... mostly garlic, oregano, basil, sea salt and pepper. Let simmer for a while and use it in EVERYTHING. I have yet to can any tomatoes as we are devouring all we can fresh each day :)
Sweet potato fries were a healthy, tasty success today (kid approved, too!). Peel and slice sweet potatoes, toss in a high grade cold pressed oil, coat in a generous amount of herbs and spices (I used a quirky combination of basil, oregano, herbs de Provence, sea salt and pepper). Bake at 400 "ish". Set the timer to check on them after 15 minutes and stir frequently after that. Dipped in a mustardy, mayonnaise dill dip, they were So So Good. I couldn't get an after picture because they were promptly devoured by a passel of hungry kids!
These delicate poppies are simply gorgeous. I love them so... All that hard work seeding perennials is starting to finally pay off. Next year, the blooms will be magnificent!
Kitty has found a perch that provides him an excellent view of the entire back yard including the comings and going of many extra children today. Those grass fronds sway ever so gently in the breeze which he finds most irresistible :) Cheeky boy.
I did manage to weed for an hour today and I feel much better for it.
Lucky you having fresh tomatoes! - because it is winter here, the tomatoes we buy are a pale orange colour with absolutely no taste at all. I used canned ones for cooking and store bought sundfried ones for salads etc.
ReplyDeleteEating fresh tomatoes is very good for you as they contain lycopene which acts as an anti-oxident which can help guard against cancer. Your classic tomato sauce on the pasta looks so yummo!
PS - Love the puddy tat!
Cheers - Joolz
... when I say canned tomatoes, I mean ones I buy in a tin (usually imported from Italy). Surprisingly, they are usually cheaper than Australian tinned tomatoes - go figure! I try to buy them on special for around .99c a can.
ReplyDelete- J
You can bet we are eating PLENTY of them each day... Last year I canned/bottled a few dozen jars of tomato sauce for pasta and pizza through the winter. We were all so, so sad to consume the last jar a few months ago... I have a lot still to ripen and am hopeful for a larger winter stash this year :)
DeleteNow, this is my kind of cooking....and eating! I'll be right over for dinner.
ReplyDeleteLOL!!!!! Come on over!
DeleteI wish I could grow sweet potatoes over here in the Uk. Enjoying reading your blog
ReplyDeleteThank you, notjustgreenfingers. I checked your blog out and love it! I didn't grow these sweet potatoes... I'd love to try a hand at them, but I'm not sure if it's hot enough for long enough here...
DeleteI appreciate seeing your cooking! You are one good cook! You inspired me to pick some tomatoes and basil this morning and I'm going to cook them up with noodles. I too have a wonderful supply of tomatoes from only 4 plants. (I thank God, as I love tomatoes!). Those fries look perfect. Your kids are lucky to have you :)
ReplyDeletelove,andrea
Thank you, Andrea :)
DeleteI tried with sweet potatoes last night, and the guests loved them, but Peanut wouldn't try them! So frustrating. He's reached that refuse anything not familiar stage, but his memory is short enough that even if he had three days ago, its unfamiliar.
ReplyDeleteWe are finally hitting the time when stuff starts producing again. :P I saw blooms on the one tomato plant I kept watering over July and August. Yea!