roasted tomato sauce

roasted tomato sauce

It’s tomato season and nothing is more satisfying than fresh, local ones.  Tomatoes have varied uses; one of the most popular is tomato sauce.  My version of marinara sauce uses fresh tomatoes that are roasted in the oven first and then puréed.  A rustic method with little effort but the flavour profile is downright scrumptious!…

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pomodori con riso (tomatoes with rice)

tomato stuffed with rice

I couldn’t imagine Italy’s cuisine without the tomato.  But in the 15th and 16th centuries, the tomato was considered poisonous!  Later on, the Spaniards showed the Italians how to pan-fry the tomato with onions and eggplant in what we know today as ratatouille.  The Italians soon learned that the ‘golden fruit’ was perfect for flavouring…

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pasta with roasted tomatoes & garlic

roasted tomatoes

This is one of my favourite, easy-to-make pasta dishes.  Roasted tomatoes are the bee’s knees!  The heat releases the tomatoes natural sugars resulting in an intense flavor.  Throw in a head of garlic and you have the most delicious roasted tomatoes you will ever devour! TweetFacebookLinkedInTumblrStumbleDiggDelicious

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best homemade tomato soup you’ll ever make!

tomato soup

Up until a couple of days ago, we were enjoying above normal temperatures.  When the mercury dips below freezing, I crave soups and stews.  What I don’t crave is the effort and time involved to make these.  I recently posted a curry dish ready in 30 minutes.  This made me think about making a simple…

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tomato and mozzarella salad

tomato & fresh mozzarella with Caesar granita

I was trying to think of what to call this dish.  It’s not a true Caprese salad as I did not include basil.  Tomato and mozzarella salad sounds so blah but there’s an ingredient that most definitely does not make this any way shape or form, blah!  The other day I posted Caesar granita atop…

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spanish tomato toast (pan con tomate)

Spanish tomato toast

Last week we were in Madrid and are totally smitten.  Mr. S and I have never been before.  He’s half Spanish so whenever we are in a Spanish country, he feels a connection even though he grew up in England. We’ve been to Barcelona before but Spain’s capital tugged at our hearts!  It’s a beautiful,…

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roasted vegetable stacks with goat cheese

roasted vegetable stacks with goats cheese

I am in veggie heaven with these roasted vegetable stacks and in one recipe I get the daily recommended servings of vegetables; my kind of dish.  Although the end of Summer means goodbye to warmer days (sigh), its departure signals the bounty of the harvest (yay!).  It’s the perfect time of the year to grab…

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prosciutto wrapped tomato

The holiday season is just around the corner and it’s that time of the year when we’re out socializing and entertaining at home. The thought of entertaining can be intimidating for both the novice and the experienced.  When I know I am having friends over, I generate a plan, cook ahead, stay within my limits…

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Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

Slow-roasted tomatoes are about the closest I’m ever going to get to sun-dried.  The ones available here are mass produced and to be honest, aren’t that appealing.  According to TLC, the practice of drying tomatoes for use throughout the winter began in Italy, where tomatoes were placed on the tile roofs of houses until the…

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Tomato and Feta Fritters

Farmers’ markets, roadside vegetable stands and grocery stores all are overflowing with ripe, juicy tomatoes.  When Summer ends and Fall begins, this is the time of year I most enjoy.  I am in heaven with the abundance of fresh fruit and veggies.  Consumers might frown or be a bit flippant with regards to the 100-mile…

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