Plus More Fresh Tomato Recipes and Mom’s Library!

The best tomato is a fresh tomato! I say the same thing every year we are blessed to have fresh tomatoes bestowed upon us. I used to hate tomatoes…and then I met my husband and tasted my first ever, garden fresh tomato. There is nothing quite like it. Just the smell of a fresh garden tomato as I slice it makes my mouth water.

So now I have gads of fresh tomatoes. What in the world am I supposed to do with them? I could go all Betty Crocker or June Cleaver and pull out my canning supplies and get to work on some bottled spaghetti or salsa. I’d love to do that someday! The problem is, with two young kids in the house, I just don’t have the time (or the energy) for all that goes into the process of cooking and preserving tomatoes.

Now I am left with finding a good variety of ways to serve my tomatoes fresh….before they go bad. If it were up to my husband, I am sure he would be just fine with eating tomatoes on toast with Miracle Whip every single night of the week. I don’t know about you, but I need a little more variety.

Fresh Tomato Pasta

I have to thank my mother in law for giving me the starter recipe for what is now one of our favorite end of summer dishes. Fresh Tomato Pasta is quick, easy, and cool, perfect for those hot afternoons when heating up the kitchen just isn’t an option.

The Recipe

3 c. chopped fresh tomatoes

1/3 c. olive oil

2 cloves of garlic, pressed

3 tsp. basil, chopped fresh or from the spice rack

1 tsp. sea salt

1/8 tsp. white pepper

1/8 tsp. parsley

3 tsp. oregano

1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 Tbs. basil pesto

¼ c. white onion, diced

2 pepperocini, stems removed, sliced, and pressed with a garlic press

Mix all ingredients in a 1-quart measuring cup or similar sized bowl. Serve over cooked pasta of your choice and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Makes great leftovers!

Pico de Gallo

I could go through a whole bag of tortilla chips when I have fresh Pico de Gallo in my fridge. Luckily, I don’t have to feel too badly about all those carbs since the Pico is super healthy…and tasty of course.

The Recipe

1 c. fresh chopped tomatoes

1 bunch of fresh cilantro, finely chopped

1 white onion, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

2 cloves of garlic, pressed

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix the ingredients in a bowl and serve with chips or put on top of your favorite Mexican dish. My husband even likes it on pizza! Multiply the recipe and this one quickly becomes a crowd pleaser!

Fresh Tomato Bagels

Who doesn’t love pizza? I love homemade pizza but I also don’t always have the time or ingredients for homemade dough. When I’m in a rush but still crave something that will satisfy my palette, I turn to one of my all-time favorite snacks. It’s perfect any time of day!

The Recipe

1 whole grain bagel sliced in half

1 Tbs. basil pesto

Shredded mozzarella cheese

Fresh tomato slices

Homemade turkey sausage

Garlic salt to taste

With pizza you can really add or remove any toppings you like. These are just my favorites. First, spread the pesto on the two bagel slices. Next, add your toppings to the two slices, ending with the shredded mozzarella cheese so that when it melts, it holds everything on your bagel. Put the bagel slices on a pan in a toaster oven and toast until golden. To learn how to make your own homemade turkey sausage, follow this link. To give the sausage recipe an Italian flair, add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning.

How about you? How do you get creative in the kitchen?

I always love hearing from you! Until then, happy reading!

Yours in Messiah Yeshua,

S

 

Welcome to Mom’s Library!

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Be sure to subscribe  so you don’t miss the next Library! Thanks to my awesome co-host, Janine Tulippe, for creating this fun resource.
Follow the Mom’s Library Pinterest Board to see all of our featured posts. Also, check out my Fresh Tomato Recipes Pinterest Board  for more great ideas on what to do with fresh tomatoes.

This week’s featured posts…

Homemade Pizza Sauce

Pizza sauce made with fresh tomatoes doesn’t have to be difficult. Just check out this easy-peasy recipe from the creator Kitchen Treaty, Karen T! Just looking at the photos makes me want to try it on my Fresh Tomato Bagels.

Tomato and Cucumber Orzo Salad

This tasty dish from Hot Eats and Cool Reads looks simply scrumptious!

Roasted Tomato Pie with Pesto & Mozzarella

From Eat Well 101 comes a savory dish the kids are sure to love!

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