Tomato,ToMAto,Two For A Crowd

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It's Memorial Day weekend and my last years tomatoes are finally ripe....I had given up the idea that I could actually grow anything with my two brown thumbs. My friend's, Teri and Bill, grew tomatoes last year that were magnificent so apparently it can be done, just not by me.

I was set on pulling them up, somehow they must have known ... because it finally happened~

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"A Memorial day miracle"...tomatoes! 

My enthusiasm comes from having a few great dishes that are made from the aforementioned fleshy, ripe, usually red globes of goodness. Tomatoes are well suited for catering or a home event. They have wide crowd appeal and are a staple in many cuisines. When in season, tomatoes are inexpensive, preserve well by a number of means and can be easily home grown...at least by some people.

Here are a two of my favorite tomato dishes easy to make for a crowd 

Caprese Skewers

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Bruschetta Pomodoro

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Bruschetta Pomodoro

½ white onion ½ red onion 16 large Roma tomato diced 5 turns fresh black pepper grinder  salt to taste 12 large fresh basil leaves 3 tablespoons olive oil 6 garlic cloves minced 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice Parmesan cheese, fresh grated FOR BREAD: 2 lbs Ciabatta bread garlic or herb seasoned olive oil 6 whole garlic clove SAUCE Dice or chop onion. Stir into diced tomatoes. Add garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. Chiffonade fresh basil. Mix together all ingredients then salt to taste. Sprinkle in Parmessan cheese to garnish and set aside. BREAD Slice ciabatta bread into 3"x4" slices approx. 1//4 inch thick. Brush with olive oil on both sides, grill or toast in paninni machine. Slice open garlic clove and rub onto toasted bread. Serve along side of pomodoro sauce. serves 25

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 Not only will I have my own crop this year, I found a great little secret farmers market in Orange with great produce to hook me up with the best tomatoes the local farmers grow... This one is mine, get your own. I'm kidding.

Check it  Orange Home Grown Farmers Market it's on Saturdays in Old Town Orange, CA
  
For the Caprese Skewers

If your shopping at the Orange Home Growers Market you'll find Baba Foods has the great little fresh mozzarella balls, the size of a large grape.
They are already marinated so just slide them on a
6" skewer with small tomatoes, add some basil
and you have a perfect appetizer.

It might be still a little early for really good tomatoes, in fact the gloom is making it tough to take good photos, but get your recipes ready, they'll be back.