Okra and Tomatoes

After an impromptu trip to the farmer's market last weekend, I had a bag full of gorgeous heirloom tomatoes, grape tomatoes, fresh okra, and a few additional yummy findings.  Okra and Tomatoes is one of my very favorite summer side dishes, and this recipe from Southern Living was a fresh take on a classic, plus the perfect way to utilize my farmer's market loot.

The original recipe called for 1 large green tomato, but I substituted with 2 medium heirloom tomatoes instead.  I absolutely adore heirloom tomatoes...they are so hard (if not impossible) to beat!

This version is packed with great flavors, which are complemented by fragrant basil and parsley.  I'm trying to use up as much of this delicious summer produce as I can...while it lasts!  Are you doing the same?

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Okra and Tomatoes
Adapted from:  Southern Living magazine, August 2013

Ingredients:
8 ounces fresh okra 1 large shallot
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 medium heirloom tomatoes, chopped
1 pt. grape tomatoes, halved
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup torn fresh basil
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:Thinly slice okra and shallot; sauté in 2 Tbsp. hot olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes or until okra is golden brown; transfer to a bowl. 

Heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in skillet. Add heirloom tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, 2 minutes or just until softened. Combine tomatoes and okra mixture. Stir in basil, parsley, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

Chickpea & Feta Salad

This is an EASY-CHICK-PEASY, light and fresh side for those last sweltering weeks of summer.  There's no heat involved with the preparation of this dish, which is always a blessing when its nearly 100 degrees outside.

The flavors are bountiful and fresh - chickpeas, red bell peppers, fresh herbs and feta are the stars of this show.  They are brightened up with a spritz of fresh lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil and a dash of salt.  A little minced shallot also makes an appearance.

If you're looking for a healthy and easy side that's flawless for summer, look no more.  

Bon Appetit, my foodie friends!

Chickpea & Feta Salad
Adapted from:  Southern Living magazine, August 2013

Ingredients:
1 (15.5 oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 red bell peppers, diced
1 small shallot, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions:
Stir together chickpeas, red bell peppers, shallot, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt in a large bowl. 

Fold fresh herbs into chickpea mixture. 

Top with crumbled feta cheese just before serving.

Enjoy!

Cheese Ravioli with Burst Tomatoes & Mascarpone

I don't know what it is, but I've seen recipes for "burst" tomatoes in pasta several times lately.  It's like the culinary fairies were trying to send me some sort of subliminal message.  When I came across this fabulous looking recipe in the August issue of Southern Living magazine, I thought, "That's it!  I have to try this!"  

Burst tomatoes sound fancy and elaborate.  The truth is, they are simply mixed with olive oil and freshly minced garlic and placed underneath the broiler until they "burst" and become beautifully charred.  The process only takes 5-10 minutes.

Other than that, all you have to do to enjoy this delicious dish is cook the pasta and mix the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. 

Easy peasy.

I used a gorgeous yellow heirloom tomato for the additional tomato the recipe calls for.  It added a beautiful contrast of colors that made Brad and I want to dive right in.  I adore heirloom tomatoes this time of year and use them every chance I get.  The parsley and basil add a wonderful flavor that only FRESH herbs can.  And then there's the mascarpone melting into cheesy, creamy oblivion over the top.  Yes, please!

I added chopped chicken from a juicy rotisserie chicken at the end.  To Brad, it isn't dinner without some sort of meat.  It was the perfect addition.  Rotisserie chickens are my best friend, especially during these hot summer months.  They make life easier!

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Pasta with Burst Tomatoes & Mascarpone
Adapted from:  Southern Living magazine, August 2013

Ingredients:
1 (24-oz.) package frozen cheese-filled ravioli  
3 pt. assorted grape tomatoes  
1 large tomato, chopped, preferably heirloom
2 garlic cloves, chopped  
2 tablespoons olive oil  
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice  
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 small rotisserie chicken, meat removed and chopped  
1/2 cup torn assorted fresh herbs (such as parsley and basil)  
1 (8-oz.) container mascarpone cheese

Directions:
Prepare pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, preheat broiler with oven rack 4 to 5 inches from heat. Stir together tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil in a 15- x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Broil 5 to 8 minutes or until tomatoes are charred, stirring halfway through.

Transfer tomato mixture to a large bowl. Stir in butter, next 4 ingredients, and 1/4 cup fresh herbs.  Spoon over hot cooked ravioli; dollop with cheese. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup fresh herbs. Serve immediately.

Fabulous Homemade Granola

Lately, I've been loving granola.  I can't get enough of it.  I love sprinkling it over greek yogurt and fresh blueberries for a healthy, yummy snack.  Or, it's equally as mouth-watering by the handful.

So, I got to thinking...Why don't I come up with my own recipe for the crunchy, satisfying goodness that is granola?  This recipe was the fabulous result.  It's perfectly sweet, thanks to a combination of light brown sugar and wildflower honey.  Sliced almonds, roasted sunflower kernels, and sesame seed also make an appearance.  Plus, a smattering of ground cinnamon only adds to the wow factor.

If you're a granola fan like me, you will really love this recipe!  It comes together easily and is ready in a flash.  Store it in an air-tight container, and you've got a snack that will last for days (if it doesn't disappear faster!).

Bon appetit, my friends!

Homemade Granola

Ingredients:

3 cups old-fashioned oats

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup roasted sunflower kernels

1/3 cup sesame seeds

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup honey, preferably wildflower

1/4 cup canola oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Mix the first six ingredients in a large bowl. 

In a separate small bowl, vigorously whisk together the honey and canola oil until well combined.  Pour over the dry ingredients.

Using your hands, thoroughly mix the granola until the honey mixture is fully incorporated, lightly squeezing as you go.

Press the granola into an even layer on a large silicone-lined baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown; stirring every 10 minutes to promote even browning.

Cool completely;  granola will harden as it cools.

Easy Lemon Blueberry Jam + An Itchy Berry-Picking Experience

Blueberry season.  

Those two words make me incredibly happy.  

I literally wait all year until glorious summertime, when I can get my hands on heaping gallon-sized buckets of the little spheres of blueberry goodness.

This year, Brad and I got adventurous and took a short drive to a nearby blueberry farm, where I excitedly picked berries to my heart's content.  After almost 2 hours of hand-picking the finest berries, we had TWO gallons to lug home with us.  Visions of blueberry jam and countless blueberry desserts were swimming through my head.  I was thrilled...

Until.the.bites.started.itching.

Have any of you ever had the unfortunate experience of practically being eaten alive by little demon bugs called chiggers/red bugs?  Oh my dear...Over 40 of those little buggers got a hold of me and had quite the snack.  At first, I thought they were simply mosquito bites, but OH NO.  Brad and I were both itchy, scratchy messes.  The thing that's so bad about chiggers is that you have no clue they've bitten you until it's too late.  Once you start itching, they are long gone.

Was it worth it?  That's a hard question to answer because the berries are so incredibly delicious, but those little demon bugs sure made their presence known.   After 2 weeks, the bites still haven't gone away completely.  However, we will be enjoying these two mountains of blueberries for a LONG time, so I'm a happy camper.  Next time, I'll just be sure to cover myself with about 10 layers of bug spray before we venture out into the blueberry bushes!

This mouth-watering blueberry jam is one way I put those berries to good use.  The rest are either snuggled away in the freezer, or have been turned into other desserts.  This recipe is easy, yet is packed with the sweet flavors of summer.  The tart lemon juice is the perfect addition to the sweetness of the fruit.  Y.U.M.M.Y.

Bon Appetit, my friends (and don't forget the bug spray)!

Easy Lemon Blueberry Jam

Ingredients:
6 cups fresh blueberries
3 cups sugar
Juice of 1 large lemon

Directions:
Place blueberries in a large bowl and crush them with a potato masher or fork, to release their juices.

Next, pour the crushed blueberries into a large saucepan, over medium heat.  Add the sugar and lemon juice.  Stir until all ingredients are mixed well, and continue to cook over medium heat for 25-35 minutes, stirring often.  Be careful not to let the mixture bubble over, and lower heat as needed.

Once the desired consistency has been reached, carefully pour the jam into mason jars or other heat-proof, covered containers.  Place in the refrigerator (jam will continue to thicken as it cools).

Enjoy!