Tomato Overload Sadly Over

Bruschetta. Salsa. Tortilla soup.  Tomato Sauce.  Chili.  Rice and beans.  How many ways are there to use up the mountains of beautiful, fresh tomatoes growing in my garden?  We went through weeks of chopping, slicing, dicing, stirring, cooking, mashing the mounds of tomatoes we brought in daily.  The bowls were daunting, piled high with oblong and round red spheres, but smelled so wonderful when mixed with fresh jalapenos or ciliantro or basil. 

I thought the tomatoes were gone until next summer but last night I was surprised to see a few remaining red bulbs. I pulled (probably)  the final, small-sized tomatoes from their vines, now drooping nightly from the chill.  I added them to homemade black bean soup, and we savored the taste of freshness. 

We have a few frozen stores of sauces and soups to relish during the winter months of pale, mealy tomoatoes in the store.  And then we wait impatiently for next summer, for the tomato avalache to return.  C

 

Feeding Frenzy

I love watching the Food Network shows, all those chef making gorgeous dinners, delectable desserts, and divine drinks.  I am envious of the chefs who travel to wonderful restaurants, sampling and rating their creations.  What a job!  Throwdown with Bobby Flay inspires me; I would be so intimidated to cook next to him.  And I would enjoy having a meal (or preparing a meal) with Giada de Laurentis, especially while on her weekend getaways.

But there is a real cooking show that is missing from the perfectly matched kitchens I see aired daily.  How about cooking for the everyday family living a real life?  I love to cook for guests, but that isn’t the same as our everyday routine.

We need a balanced, cost-efficient meal for 3 vegetarians, one who will eat minimal veggies and no fruit, and a husband who is game for almost everything.  There are no assistants to shop and decide on meals, though I have a couple children who can help in food and table preparation when they are home.  We need meals prepared about 5 nights a week.

While preparing let’s add two dogs underfoot ready to pick up any scraps, a phone ringing, soccer practice in 30 minutes, help with homework during the school year, and a little variety to the weekly food preparation routine. Oh, throw in a set of grandparents who live with us for the summer (and mom is an excellent cook!)

I don’t think the cameras could fit in my kitchen!  But it’s an interesting idea for cooking for the real family.  C