Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes, My Summer Bounty

I have never grown such beautiful tomatoes, and when I say "bounty," I mean bountiful. I really don't know what I was thinking when I picked out tomato plants...I knew that we wanted to raise three kinds, beefsteak, roma, and sweet hundred. So, I bought them hoping that we would get some of each. I put in six of each kind & three plants "volunteered" in my flower bed from last year. Are you counting...? (Too many, huh?)

So, I needed a plan...I got out my rusty, trusty recipe box & got busy. Here are two tried & true recipes for tomatoes & one "dump & eat," but tasty, too.

Canned Tomatoes

Sterilize quart jars. (I boil them for about 10 minutes (after washing the jars) in a 9 x 13 cake pan along with the lids. Then I peel them with the dip into boiling water for about a minute & then into cold water method. After the tomatoes are peeled, cut into quarters & place into jars.
Put the lid on the jar, & place into cake pan. Preheat oven to 250...& when all jars are filled, add water to the cake pan & place into the oven. (I found it easier to add the water when the jars & cake pan are in the oven). Bake in the 250 degree oven for one hour & 15 minutes. Cool in oven for 24 hours.

Homemade Salsa

Makes 12 pints:

4 quarts of peeled, chunky tomatoes (quartered is good)

1 - 12 oz. can tomato paste

2 tsp canning salt

2 large green peppers, chopped

2 large red peppers, chopped

4 Jalepeno's, minced

2 stalks of celery, chopped

2 large onions, chopped

4 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 c vinegar

1/4 c sugar

Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil, simmer for 30 minutes. Both my husband & myself taste this salsa & add more of whatever as it is simmering...we prefer mild too medium...& this is mild. If you prefer your salsa "hotter," add more Jalepeno's.

I decided to process my salsa the same way I made the tomatoes, in the oven in a cake pan. I did process them for 45 minutes at 250 degrees & left them in the oven for 24 hours.

Fresh Tomato Pasta

In a large skillet, combine, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and other seasonings to your personal preference including salt & pepper. (think basil, Italian, parsley, etc.) If you prefer to saute your onions, garlic, & other veggies, please do. I am trying to keep extra fat out of my cooking, so I put the tomatoes in first & lightly boil all the veggies & seasonings together.

While that is simmering, boil pasta (any kind) & drain. Serve with pasta in bowl with the fresh tomato sauce poured over topped with parmesan cheese. Delicious!

Enjoy!

Bananas, Bananas, & Bananas

I decided to begin my recipe posting with banana recipes. I used to think that banana bread, bars, etc. were just okay. Then, I started looking for some really good recipes using ripe bananas. The first two rank high, & the last recipe for banana bread is included because my kids ask for my banana bread recipe. It is easier to make (& tastes just as good) as any banana bread recipe out there. I love the simplicity of mixing it together because it calls for oil rather than butter. (I don't have to think ahead to bring the butter to room temperature!)

Banana Pancakes

Jack Johnson sings a song,"Banana Pancakes"

What You'll Need:

2 ripe bananas

1 egg

1 c flour

3/4 c milk

1 T. butter

1 T. vanilla extract

Start with everyone washing their hands. Then have your kids mash the bananas really well (I've found the best way is to squish them with your hands in a bowl!) Then let one of your kids break the egg & add it to the bananas. You may have them break it in it's own bowl to make it easier to pick any shells out. Mix the egg & vanilla into the bananas until it's smooth. Next add the flour and milk and mix for about a minute.

Add a dab of butter to a frying pan on med. heat. Once the butter is melted use a ladel to make individual pancakes. You know when it is time to flip the pancakes when small bubbles appear in the batter. Cook until both sides are golden brown & serve sprinkled with powdered sugar. (I did change this...the original recipe recommended syrup, but true flavor doesn't come through!) This recipe makes about 12 small pancakes.

Enjoy!

Banana Crumb Muffins

3 large mashed bananas

3/4 c sugar

1 slightly beaten egg

1/3 c melted butter

1 tsp. bkg pwder

1 tsp. bkg soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 c. flour

Crumb Topping:

1/4 c flour

1/4 c brown sugar

1/4 c rolled oats

2 T. butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Add sugar & beaten egg to mashed bananas, & Mix. Add melted butter, & mix. Add dry ingredients & stir until moistened. Fill muffin cups 1/3 full. Blend topping ingredients with fork until moist crumbs form. Top muffins with crumbs. Bake 20 minutes or until slightly brown on top. Makes 1 dozen.

Note: These are the muffins I fell in love with...Enjoy!

Banana Bread

3 bananas, mashed

1 1/3 c flour

2 tsp bkg pwdr

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp bkg soda

2/3 c sugar

1/2 c oil

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Mash bananas & add remaining ingredients & beat with mixer for one minute.

Pour into a well-greased (or sprayed) loaf pan. Bake for approx. one hour. Test with toothpick...if toothpick comes out clean, it is done. Rest in pan for 5 minutes & then invert pan and the bread should come out. Cool. Enjoy!

Cooking, Sharing Recipes, Etc.

Welcome to my blog! This is something that I have wanted to do for a while & today is the day. I am excited about not only cooking, but sharing all the great recipes that I have tried & loved.

I've always wanted to write a cookbook, but either I don't make the time, don't take the time, or I allow other priorites to get in the way. So, this is an avenue that I can walk down, & who knows, this could possibly lead to that cookbook.

This past weekend, we had a small family gathering. My brother, Gary, caught enough fish to warrant a fish fry, so fried fish he did. He used a turkey cooker burner & replaced the stainless steel kettle with a cast iron deep pan. He tried different coatings on the fish & we all decided we prefered one over the other, however, I can't remember which one was the best. Gary? Could you help us out & post a comment?

The next morning for breakfast we had "farmer's breakfast" where everything is cooked in one pan & all the flavors co-mingle & is that tasty! For me the highlight was the banana muffins...they were so delicious, (& easy) & just thinking about them makes my mouth water. Our meal was complemented with fresh peaches & chocolate fudge coffee from Mackinac Island, Michigan. Our taste buds rocked!

Currently I am away from home & the recipes, but my plan is to publish these recipes next time.

I almost forgot...please share any great recipes, too!