Happy Tuesday all! It’s a perfectly beautiful day outside and it was near torture being stuck inside! I did go out and walk my two miles at lunch which was heaven and made me want to run away and find a pool but other wise I was indoors the whole day:( However, last night I was able to get out and pick some gorgeous tomatoes and some basil to create deliciousness for Shaners and myself.
The colors were incredible and I felt inspired by them so first things first I pulled out a thin crust that I’d been saving and whipped up a garlic/parsley olive oil spread for it.
- olive oil
- garlic
- chopped parsley
- sea salt
- chopped oregano
I spread this thinly all over the pizza crust and put it in the oven at 350 to warm up. Then I cut up tomatoes and laid them on a plate with two layers of paper towels to pull out some of the excess juices.
Once the pizza crust had spent some quality time in the oven I pulled it out and put down a layer of grated Parmesan cheese. I then layered the tomatoes on top of that and the put down basil and mozzarella cheese.
Oh my. Yes it was just as fresh and delicious as it looks! However, I myself like the even fresher fare and so instead of pizza I made myself a tomato salad with more of the juicy, garden tomatoes!
You thought the pizza looked good!!! This salad was loaded with flavor and even protein!
- chopped tomatoes
- garbonzo beans
- fresh basil and parsley
- mozzarella cheese
- garlic
- sea salt
- balsamic vinegar
- olive oil
THAT was a satisfying salad. It’s impossible to explain summer flavors. You just have to have them. Go grow tomatoes! You’ll never regret it for a second. They’re like a guilty pleasure except it’s not guilty but so addicting that you can’t help feeling a little controlled by them. I’ll leave you with this.
Question: What is your summer vice? The pool? Watermelon? Mine’s definitely the sunshine but tomatoes come at a close second.
another really simple idea (amanda mccoy made this last night). bruchetta…diced, fresh tomatoes over homemade bread with basil from the garden and mozzarella cheese with just a sprinkling of olive oil broiled on low for 5 minutes = delicious!
Fountain diet soda with ice and a straw; actually, that’s my year round vice
Watermelon could never be a vice, it’s too fabulous!
Oh, wow. This looks amazing! Loving the use of all those tomatoes! In the summer….I love the pool, watermelon, berries….the list could go on and on.
Summer vice is definitely white peaches. OOH so good!
I’ve always disliked tomatoes…but after I tried REAL tomatoes (aka not generic store-bought), they’ve changed my mind forever.
If lypocene-infused tomatoes are your guilty pleasure, then I think you’ll be quite all right in the indulgence department. Your tomato creations look divine, clean, and explosive with flavor. I love anything that involves basil, tomatoes, and cheese.
In the summer I tend to go nuts with watermelon and bing cherries. I would add ice cream to that list, however, that’s a year-round vice.
Those look so good! I can’t wait to have a garden next year so I can add all kinds of fresh veggies to my meals. I’ve never had a green thumb, so hopefully I can develop one
That pizza looks unreal! I WANT.
My summer vice is, sadly, probably ice cream. I eat it at least twice a week. But fruits and veggies are next on the list. And then the pool.
Definitely TOMATOES! I’m so jealous of your delicious looking garden stock.
I’m pretty sure tomatoes don’t count as a vice! This looks utterly delicious! Anything with garbanzos, balsamic and parmesan is a winner in my book.
My summertime vice? Well I don’t technically consider it a vice but… BEER.
Ice cream and sunshine are my vices this year!! This means dairy induced tummy aches and the darkest tan I’ve had in my life, haha! I just can’t get enough. Do you wanna fly south starting in November so we can skip the blustery grossness that is KC winter?????
Tomatoes and peaches for sure! I always eat them raw but I’m loving all your ideas for them. I’ll have to give these a go while tomatoes are still in season.