Tomato Harvest!

If you're a gardener, you may be noticing a tomato harvest coming to fruit very soon!  Now besides eating them raw (the best way in my opinion), what can you do with these precious tasty gems?

Lasagna Summer Salad

 

Zucchini and Heirloom Tomato Salsa

Creamy Tomato Gazpacho

 Chopped Taco Salad


 

Caprese Bouquet

 



20--- Shortbread-Crusted Brownies

I could not for the life of me decide whether to make homemade brownies or shortbread cookies the other day.  And then I thought, why should I have to choose? And these babies were born.  And then they were adored eaten by everyone.  The End.

Shortbread-Crusted Brownies
Serves 9-18 (depending on your cut size)

SHORTBREAD
1 cup + 1 Tbsp butter, softened (yes, the extra Tbsp makes a difference)
1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a mixer to combine butter and powdered sugar until well-mixed. Add vanilla extract and salt, then sift in flour gradually and mix until combined. 

Press dough into a 9x9" parchment paper-lined baking dish.  Bake for 10 minutes, or until set.

BROWNIE BATTER
4 Tbsp butter
2 oz chopped dark chocolate
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Sea salt (if desired)

To make brownie batter, heat butter in the top pan of a double boiler. When butter is melted, whisk in chocolate until melted, then add in the sugar. Remove from heat and allow to cool for ~3 minutes, then whisk in egg, flour, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract.

Pour batter onto the top of the shortbread crust (after 10 minutes of baking).  Sprinkle lightly with sea salt if desired.

Return pan to the oven and bake for additional 12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes prior to using a sharp knife to cut into 3" x 3" or 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" pieces.  Allow to cook entirely before removing from the pan and storing in an airtight container.

80--- Mashed Greek Chickpea Salad

Looking for a vegetarian substitute for a summery chicken salad? Look no further.  This recipe incorporates my creation of Marinated Chickpeas to boost the flavor of a typical bean. 

Mashed Greek Chickpea Salad
Serves ~4

Marinated Chickpeas recipe
1 lemon, juiced
3 oz crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cucumber, seeded and chopped
10 cherry tomatoes, chopped
3 Tbsp diced red onion
Salt and pepper to taste

After marinating chickpeas for 24 hours, remove them from the liquid and place them in a shallow bowl to mash.  Mash until desired consistency is reached (I found that using a potato masher was easiest).  Mix in remaining ingredients and stir to combine.

Serve on toasted bread or with crackers.

Nutrition Info per 1/2 cup serving: 167 calories, 9 g fat, 8 g protein, 16 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber

 

Favorite Summer Salads (80s)

I am working on a yummy new salad recipe this weekend.

But until I get that posted, I thought I would share some of my all-time favorite summer salad recipes.

 Arugula Pear Salad

 

 Grilled Potato Salad

The Wedge

 

 Kamut Fruit Salad

 

 Cold Chili Salad with Smokey Tomato Vinaigrette

 

Desserts that go BOOM

Trying to be festive this weekend with your menu selections?

Give these a try!  Their berries and bright colors may be just what your celebration needs.

Patriotic Pretzel Salad

Russian Cream

Royal Raspberry Cake