Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Got Tomatoes...?


I know that many of you all have tomatoes planted, or have them growing right now in your garden.

There isn't much that can compare with fresh tomatoes straight out of the garden! I love them, and I'm sure I'm not the only one...

Now at the risk of telling you something you already know about this wonderful little gem, I want to share a couple of things about tomatoes and their harvesting that may be old hat to many...and new information to others!

• Harvest tomatoes when they are firm. A ripe tomato will be only slightly soft.

• Leave tomatoes on the vine as long as possible.

• The perfect tomato for picking will have full color. Regardless of size, the tomato will be very red, with perhaps some yellow remaining around the stem.

• If your tomatoes fall off before they appear ripe, place them in a brown paper bag with an apple or pear.

• To store ripe tomatoes, place them in a cool, dark place in a single layer with the stem up.

• Never place tomatoes on a sunny windowsill to ripen; they may rot before they are ripe.

• Never refrigerate tomatoes. Doing so spoils the flavor and texture that make up that garden tomato taste.

• Always serve tomatoes at room temperature for maximum flavor.

Now, just in case you get tired of eating garden fresh tomatoes by themselves...here is a recipe that will make good use of some of your beautiful tomato crop!

Crust for 10-inch quiche pan
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup slivered onion
1 clove garlic, chopped
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup 1/4-inch-thick slices plum tomato
1/4 cup shredded fresh basil
1 cup evaporated skim milk
1-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 eggs
1 egg white

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 10-inch quiche pan with crust. Heat nonstick pan with olive oil; saute onion and garlic until slightly brown. Spread onion mixture on crust and sprinkle cheese on top. Arrange tomato slices over cheese. Top with basil.

Combine milk, cornstarch, pepper, and eggs. Process in blender until smooth. Carefully pour over tomatoes. Bake 45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.


All this talk about food has made me hungry this morning...so, my friend, let's get some coffee and sit outside for a bit, OK? Maybe have a little fresh tomato juice on the side...

24 comments:

Kyddryn said...

Mmm...I adore a fresh tomato sandwich...especially on homemmade bread with cheese...

Heh...I know what's for lunch today!

Thanks for the info, Mister Hermit sir.

Shade and Sweetwater,
K

HermitJim said...

Hey K...
Glad to help plan your lunch menu! You know me, always there to lend a hand!

I sure am glad you could come by this morning to visit for a minute!

Ken said...

...dang it Jim,now ya done it,time for a nice 'mater sammich before bed...hell,come to think about it,i'm gonna cut some up with breakfast also...

...thanx fer the recipe too,now it's 'in the book'...

HermitJim said...

Hey Ken...
Well, I could think of nothing better for a good bedtime snack, or for breakfast even, than a nice, garden ripe tomato!

Farm fresh eggs, toasted home made bread, and slices of bright red tomato...man, that sounds good to me!

Hey, thanks for coming by today, brother Ken!

John Mellem said...

Here's one for you. 2T Olive Oil in a med. sauce pan. Brown half cup small cubed beef and same of onion. Add two cups diced tomato and simmer 20 minutes. Turn up to low boil and crack 4 eggs into mixture. Cook till eggs are firm, season to taste and enjoy with buttered toast on the side.

Staying Alive said...

Great post. Absolutely great.

Michael

Anonymous said...

I like tomatoes too, like Kyrdryn above, toasted whole wheat bread (Roman Meal), a light coat of mayo and 3-4 slices of tomato. If I'm not feeling lazy, a couple of strips of bacon to feed my inner cave man :^) - yeah, thats the stuff!

Thanks for the tips HermitJim - no, some of those were new to me - I appreciate the info.

JoJo said...

Good morning Special Friend, I was familiar with some of those but not all. Good to know in case someone starts giving away those home grown babys.
get my rig today! Need to run to the Store to pick up some goodies so I can take off.

Anonymous said...

Sliced fresh garden tomatoes, with bacon, and eggs, and fresh coffee in the woods....life is good.

I'm so busy doing nothing. Think I'll have that second cup.

JoJo....good luck.

See Ya

HermitJim said...

Hey John...
Good to have you here today! Thanks for the new recipe...always good to have some more to add to the book.

I appreciate you coming by today!


Hey Michael...
Glad you liked the post this morning and I'm happy that you could come by today! Have a good one!


Hey Anon 7:24...
Always a pleasure to share whatever recipes I can, as well as tips I pick up from where ever!


Information will someday be as good as gold!

Thanks for your visit today, my friend!


Hey JoJo...
I know you must be excited! Just imagine, open road ahead...no phone, no schedule, no neighbors!

You just make sure you stay in touch with us so we can share in your adventure!

Don't forget the camera, OK?

See you later, Sweetie!


Hey Tony...
Can't get much better than that, can it?

Busy doing nothing...sounds great! You and JoJo got me in the mood to travel a bit!

Hey, thanks so much for coming by, Tony!

Kyddryn said...

Cheesy scrambled eggs with sliced tomatoes...mmm...

Shade and Sweetwater,
K

CoyotePrime said...

Well, now I know what's for lunch. Thanks for sharing the great recipe, HermitJim!

HermitJim said...

Hey K...
Sounds like a plan to me! Wonder why things always seem to taste better when someone else cooks them?

Thanks for sharing your breakfast ideas...now if I could share the breakfast!


Hey Coyote...
Always glad to share a good recipe, buddy! I think recipes get better with two things...time and the sharing of them!

I do appreciate the visit today!

Felinae said...

Good Morning, Uncle Hermit,

I hope your day has gotten off to a good start.:D

Thanks for the tips and the recipe. I have saved both.

Have a great Wednesday!

Hugs~Felinae~

HermitJim said...

Hey Felinae...
And good morning to you, girl! Hey, if I wake up on the right side of the grass...it's a good start!

Glad you could get some use from the post today...always my pleasure! Also my pleasure to have you drop by for a visit...!

JoJo said...

Hey Special One, I will have the laptop and the verizon so will join in for coffee every morning. I wish you would get going too. You have that beautiful place with a pond and green grass and green trees. Go for it!

HermitJim said...

Hey JoJo...
I'm glad you are taking the laptop and net card...we would miss having you here with us for coffee every morning!

I plan to get to the property just as soon as I can, believe me!

You keep me posted on your plans, OK? OK!

Unknown said...

Your place has a pond,green grass and green trees?
Thanks for the tomato tips...knew some,not others. I did copy the recipes..yours and John's. Thanks to you both.

HermitJim said...

Hey Beth...
If you go back to the previous post titled "10 acres and a well...", there are some pictures of it.

Hey, I sure do thank you for stopping in!

Catman said...

Jim,

Thanks for being someone not so consumed with this crazy world, like me and some of the other bloggers out here.

It's nice to visit a place of relative sanity every day.

HermitJim said...

Hey Catman...
Believe me, just because I don't wr5ite about it every day doesn't mean I don't worry about it!

I guess that my main purpose here is to offer a little humor, or maybe just touch on a feeling that will open a discussion with others that have felt the same things.

I read your blog and all the others that are better at keeping us all informed with the serious stuff...and I figure that maybe I can offer up a cup of coffee on the patio so that we can all sort of catch our breath!

Gu8ess every group needs a clown and maybe I can sort of fill that need!

Thanks for coming by, buddy!

Unknown said...

I did go back and read "10 Acres...". I,too,am very happy for you. You know without me telling you that Missouri is my very favorite place next to Texas. North Carolina is beautiful and has everything from mountains to shore and Hawaii..well, is Hawaii. The people of Mo. make it so special, I think. I was looking at "storage buldings" at home improvement stores and they will do more than nicely until you can build your dream cabin. One 2-storey I looked at would do me permantely even though I don't want to do the stair thing. Again,congrats! And thanks for answering the question I was going to ask about the other land. My choice is this Mo. one, though. Love ya.

HermitJim said...

Hey Sis...
I reckon with 10 acres there would be plenty of room if you wanted to have a little cabin out there as well!

It would be a great place to have a reunion, don't ya think?

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