Tomatoes!

“I like tomato,  you like to-mah-to.  Let’s call the whole thing off.” George Gershwin

And I say whatever you call ’em, enjoy tomatoes as often as you can while they’re in season. Nothing compares in taste as the sun ripened juicy orbs we enjoy at this time of year!  I seriously eat  tomatoes every single day they are in season and never tire of simple sliced tomatoes with salt, pepper and shredded basil.  If your’re looking  to make the most of the season’s bounty, here are my top 12 most popular tomato recipes.( You can access the recipe by clicking on the highlighted titles). Substitute fresh tomatoes in all recipes and seek heirloom varieties when you can as they are often sweeter than the hybrids more commonly grown.  Heirlooms have firmer flesh and their sweetness bumps up the essence of tomatoey goodness.  Wishing you plenty of vine ripened tomatoes as summer wanes.  Enjoy often!

Tomato-Basil Bisque with Grilled Cheese Croutons

Step away from the can of tomato soup!

Andy Warhol 1962

THIS is the grown up version of cream of tomato soup! But have no fear, the grilled cheese sandwich is the still perfect pairing for the soup.  This chunky fresh tomato soup takes advantage of the gorgeous tomatoes ready to harvest in the garden and of the abundant fresh basil.  Its texture is thick, satisfying and very tomato-ey.   Cutting the grilled cheese sandwich into crouton-sized pieces on top is a fun twist that had my 18 year old exclaiming to always make it this way from now on!  An American classic.