Summer Tomatoes

I love the sweet abundance of luscious Summer fruits and vegetables. What could be better than than biting into juicy summer love?! Asked to choose a favorite? Impossible! So I will share a delicious recipe that my friend Chrissy recently prepared. I made my own version and it's so simple. Make it to your own taste and use what ingredients you have on hand.
INGREDIENTS:
home grown tomatoes
salad dressing (one or 2 of your choice)
balsamic vinegar (optional)
fresh sweet basil (so easy to grow in a pot outside in a sunny/semi sunny spot)
freshly grated parmesan cheese (or parmesan/reggiano)
grated mozzarella cheese (my friend used this, but I didn't have any on hand)
salt and pepper to taste.

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Drizzle salad dressing of your choice (about 1-2 T for a 9 x 13 pan) into a baking dish.
Cut tomatoes in half. (If they're really large, you may need to cut them into thirds.)
Place tomatoes cut side up into dish.
Drop about 1/8 -1/4 t balsamic vinegar onto the tops of the tomatoes.
Drizzle more salad dressing (This can be a second variety if you wish.) onto the tops of the tomatoes.
Slightly chop or tear basil leaves and place desired amount on top of each tomato.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Now sprinkle on the parmesan cheese (and mozzarella).
Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes.
ENJOY!

Here are some links to recipes that I have posted in the past:
Mango Salsa
Artichoke, Tomato, and Pine Nut Tapenade
Raspberry Rubarb Cobbler
Cranberry, Orange, and Pecan Scones with Sweet Chevre Spread

What is YOUR favorite recipe? Is such a thing even possible?! What do you love to eat in the Summertime?
This is for the etsy bloggers' street team carnival which will be published after August 28 by Stormy Designs. Her shop is here.
photo by me © 2009

Mango Salsa

Here is the yummy Mango Salsa that I made and served with tacos for dinner last night. This recipe is based on one inspired by CalKat. See her recipe here. See her etsy shop here.

1 mango, chopped
1/2 C tomatoes, chopped
1/2 C orange pepper, chopped
1/2 C onion (vidalia), chopped
1/2 C fresh cilantro, chopped
1 jalapeno, cut in circles
1 lime, juice and zest

Place the jalapeno, cilantro, lime, and some of the other chopped ingredients into a food processor or blender and process well. Mix all together and serve.




Serve with tacos, burritos, or chips.
Here is the finished salsa:
photos by me © 2009