TOMATO TIME!

Tomatoes are a good source of Vitamins A, C, & K!
If your garden is exploding with tomatoes, give these tasty recipes a try!

Tomato Basil Skewers
Ingredients
16 small fresh mozzarella balls
16 fresh basil leaves
16 cherry tomatoes
Extra-virgin olive oil to drizzle
Coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions
Thread mozzarella, basil and tomatoes on small skewers. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Tomato Gratin

Ingredients
4 slices whole-grain bread, torn into quarters
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup finely shredded Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
4 medium tomatoes, sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat a shallow 2-quart baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Place bread in a food processor and pulse until coarse crumbs form. Add garlic, oil and cheese; pulse to combine. Spread the seasoned breadcrumbs on abaking sheet and bake until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, layer tomato slices in the prepared baking dish, sprinkling each layer with basil, pepper and salt. Bake the tomatoes for 10 minutes; sprinkle with the toasted breadcrumbs and bake for 10 minutes more. Serve immediately.

Tomato & Fennel Salad
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon champagne vinegar or white-wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 pound tomatoes, cut into wedges
2 cups thinly sliced fennel bulb
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
Directions
Whisk oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a large bowl until combined. Add tomatoes, fennel, parsley and pine nuts; toss to coat.

Gazpacho Recipe

Ingredients
6 ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 purple onion, finely chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
1 sweet red/green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1-2 Tbspn chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbspn chopped fresh chives
1 clove minced garlice
1/4 cup red wine vingear
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbspn fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tspn sugar
Sal and fresh ground pepper to taste
6 or more drops of Tabasco sauce to taste
1 tspn Worcestershire sauce
4 cups tomato juice


Directions
Combine all ingredients. Blend slightly, to desired consistency. Place in non-metal, non-reactive storage container, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to blend.