Middle Eastern Tomato Salad

Another use of tomatoes & parsley from the garden.  The combination of parsley and mint makes this salad awesome. From Kaylns Kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup finely diced --cucumber, tomato, onion, parlsey & mint
• 2-3 T olive oil
• 1-2 T fresh lemon juice
• S/P

Salt diced cucumbers while chopping other ingredients.  Combine all ingredients.  Eat immediately or within a few hours (otherwise it turns soggy). Simple, easy & delicious.

Crockpot Marinara Sauce

You can make marinara sauce a million different ways.  This one develops its flavors from being slow cooked for 8 hrs!  Make some to use and freeze the rest.

Ingredients:

• 2 (28 oz cans) crushed tomatoes
• 1 6oz can tomato paste
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1/2 -1 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 whole bay leaves
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• salt/pepper
• carrots/celerey (chopped finely) (optional)

Dice onion/mince garlic.  Put in crockpot. Add remaining ingredients.  If crockpot tends to run hot, can add a little water.  Cook low 8 hrs. Stir.  Remove bay leaves.  Enjoy.

Avocado Balsamic Salad

A different spin on salad...and another use of the tomatoes growing in the garden...

Ingredients:

• 3 small cucumbers, shopped
• 1 cup diced tomato or cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup sliced green onion (or sweet onion)
•  2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 avocado, chopped into small pieces
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• salt/pepper

Combine all vegetables into bowl.  Add vinegar and lemon juice slowly and toss to coat.  Season with salt/pepper. 

Stuffed Tomatoes with Feta

With all of the tomatoes growing in the garden, I've been trying out a lot of new recipes.  I like feta cheese and it goes great with tomatoes. 

Ingredients:

• 6 plum tomatoes
• 2/3 cup feta cheese
• 1/2 tsp. italian seasoning
• 2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup italian dressing
• salt/pepper

Cut tomatoes in half and place cut side up on baking sheet.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper, italian seasoning and feta.  Drizzle with Italian dressing.  Broil 2-3 min. until cheese starts to melt.