I love to cook in the winter. Summer? Not so much. I'm finding that I just can't bring myself to cook anything in the kitchen when the temperatures are soaring above 100. The kids and I have been living off cold meat sandwiches and Popsicles. Last week I ate nothing but watermelon for dinner! Watermelon is sure cool and refreshing but it got kind of boring after a week.
So because of the heat I have been in a food rut. I dont' know what to fix. When I saw Pioneer Woman's Marinated Tomatoes they sounded so good I knew I had to try them. Of course I had to tweak it a bit; I used dry herbs rather than fresh (it worked just fine) and as I was mixing up the marinade I spied the two zuchinni I had picked that morning. Aaaahhh!!! Zuchinni would be great with the tomatoes.
So here's my version of PDub's Marinated Tomatoes.
1 cup Canola Oil
1/4 cup Vinegar
4 Tablespoons Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1/2 white Onion, Sliced
1/4 cup Dry Parsley
1/8 cup Dry Basil
1/4 teaspoon Ground Thyme
2 cloves Garlic, Minced Finely
2 pounds Tomatoes, Cut Into Quarters (if Big) Or Halves (if Small)
2 zuchinni, sliced
Combine all ingredients except tomatoes in a large glass bowl. Whisk to combine, then add tomatoes and zuchs. (You can up the quantity of tomatoes or zuchs if need be.) Allow to marinate for at least 3 to 4 hours, several hours if possible. Tomatoes will give off liquid as they marinate.
Yum, I tell you these tomatoes were so cool and refreshing I ate the whole batch in two days. I can't wait to make some more but next time I'm going to add a jar of olives too! Yum, I'm drooling just thinking about it.
What is your go to cool food dish for hot steamy summer days? I need some more ideas!
I can't wait to have tomatoes ripen to try to this salad. YUM. Looks like summer and I'm sure it tastes even better!
ReplyDeleteGreat food pic! They look delicious! Do you just eat them by themselves or are you putting them in stuff?
ReplyDeleteSounds so tasty! I can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quick dishes for hot days:
1) Drain a can of tuna. Stir in lime juice (1 Tbs.?? I don't know. I never measure) Stir. Serve on saltines. The lime juice cuts the fishy smell. My kids LOVE this!
2) Drain a can of tuna. Mix with roasted red pepper hummus. Serve on crackers or on bread as a sandwich. Also a kids favorite.
3) Combine a jar of salsa with a drained can of corn and a drained and rinsed can of black beans. Add lime juice and cilantro to taste. Serve on baked tortilla chips or toasted pita wedges. Super tasty and full of protein and fiber!
4) the classic cucumbers & onions in a jar of vinegar. Mmmm....
Just thought of another recipe! I haven't tried it, but plan to once I go shopping.
ReplyDeleteWatermelon Salsa
1 c. diced peeled kiwi
1 c. diced watermelon
1 tbsp. finely chopped red onion
2 tsp. minced seeded jalapeno pepper (wear gloves when handling)
2 tsp. lime juice
pinch of salt
combine all ingredients. Serve on baked tortilla chips or toasted pita wedges.
Flower, you are making me so hungry! I wish I could come over and have dinner with you today (I miss ya!) Those sound like fabulous summer dishes...thanks for sharing. Can't wait to try the watermelon salsa.
ReplyDelete