Saturday, May 19, 2007

Tomatomania!




Today is cold and dreary but this morning Hubby and I toughed it out and went to Tomatomania at White Flower Farm in Litchfield, CT. It is billed as the world's largest tomato seedling sale and this is their only East coast date. Heirloom tomatoes are their specialty - my favorite! We picked up 23 plants plus 10 more for my boss! Hubby is currently out at Home Depot buying supplies so we can actually plant our new little darlings. We picked up many interesting varieties including Cuban Yellow Drops, Brandywine, and Black Russian. I can't wait until the tomatoes start coming! We are going to have so many different kinds it will be fun to figure out new and interesting ways to use them. Here is a simple but delicious little tomato recipe for inspiration:

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Basil

2 T red-wine vinegar
1 t Dijon mustard
1 t salt
1/2 t sugar
1/2 t black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 lb mixed heirloom tomatoes, quartered if small or cut into 1/4-inch-wide wedges if larger
1 lb cherry tomatoes
1 lb small mozzarella balls
1 1/2 cups loosely packed basil leaves or torn large leaves


Whisk together vinegar, mustard, salt, sugar, and pepper in a large bowl. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking constantly until dressing is emulsified. Add tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil and toss well. Season with salt and pepper.

Yum! Hubby and I are so into tomato and mozzarella salads (Insalata Caprese) since our honeymoon in Italy where they are a staple.

Have a wonderful day!


11 comments:

Niesz Vintage Home said...

We just got our garden tilled and planted last week.

A few varieties of tomatoes, a couple of peppers, and rubarb are all that we have this year.

Brandywine are my favorite...you'll love those!

smileymamaT said...

wow.....look at all those tomatoes....that salad sounds really, really good. You honeymooned in Italy? How romantic....

Unknown said...

Yummy - that sounds wonderful. I have had that salad before, but the dressing in yours sounds really amazing.

allie
www.mycozyhome.typepad.com

Jenn said...

OH MY GOODNESS⁄!! I have never heard of this, and we live pretty close. I am a serious tomato fan! I don't have a good gardening yard, unfortunately, but I could go crazy if I did...hehe

I'm feeling pretty good. Trying to clean up my act (such as soda) and next will be nixing the coffee, but I'm giving myself 2 weeks to do it so I am not a wreck....LOL
My legs are ok, but still get number and tingly now and then. Sometimes they are worse than at others, like when I am tired etc,... I am blessed though, because I know it could be much worse. I am feeling pretty positive though, and am developing a plan to get as healthy as possible, so that makes me feel like I can at least DO something. :)

Jenn

Jada said...

We tilled our garden two weeks ago.We are going to start planting sometime this week.I will try your tomato recipe.

FrenchGardenHouse said...

How exciting that you live near White Flower Farm!! I order from them all the time, the BEST!!

oh, the salad with Mozarella is the greatest, too, but you do need the Perfect tomatoes! Which I hope you have.
Happy Tomato growing!
Lidy

deb said...

oh that sald is one of my favorites!! I'm hoping to get mine done this weekend! Wahoo!

Anonymous said...

Oh I am so excited for tomato season! I eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner when they are in season!! Thanks for the recipe too!!

Design.by.Kina said...

Oh Yeah! What an awesome recipe... and I'm so excited about tomatomania coming to Illinois. lol but I'll have to wait a little longer till my plants bloom:)

Natasha Burns said...

Karla I love black Russian tomatoes, my mum grew them last year but this past summer we had a drought and no tomatoes sadly.
There's nothing like home-grown tomatoes, nothing at all. They can try with the hydroponic ones or the truss tomatoes but the best smell & taste is home grown by a mile. Just walking past a tomato plant smells sooooo good! Can you tell I love tomatoes?

Anonymous said...

I plant pots of basil every year just so I can have tomatoes and basil with mozzerella.
I love italy, we grow tomatoes and fry the green tomatoes...we have too much in common! Stop in for a glass of sweet tea!

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