Hi, Its’s Colleen here with one of my favorite things to eat… To-ma-toes!
I have quite the obsession with tomatoes. As far back as I can remember I have adored them. My dad grew a huge garden while we were growing up. If you didn’t find me sitting high in the cherry tree eating my weight in sour cherries or contemplating life in general, I was probably in the garden, sitting criss-cross-applesauce, happily munching on sun-kissed tomatoes. As a kid I was SUCH a picky eater (sorry, Mom.) I did whatever I could to not eat meat; all I needed was a tomato and Miracle Whip Sammie, and I was good to go!
One of the best videos in my father’s collection has to be the one of one of my brother Eddie happily devouring a big juicy tomato. His tiny little chubby face was smooshing itself into that tomato like it was his first food when all of a sudden it went plop, plop, plop down the concrete steps and rolled smack-dab into the middle of a colony of ants. He scooted his 18-month-old butt down the steps and reached out a chubby little hand to reclaim his prize, then promptly began munching on it again… Never noticing the the difference or the hitchhikers! I tell my dad all the time that THAT was borderline abuse and THAT is also why Eddie probably detests tomatoes to this day! Only a man would happily film something like that!
When I was pregnant with my son, I ate icy-cold roasted grape tomatoes almost every day…those and Tastykakes (let’s NOT talk about how Tastykake stock literally plummeted after I delivered…really!)
BUT!!!
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 TBS grapeseed or olive oil
- Salt & pepper
- 1 large ripe tomato
- 4-5 large fresh basil leaves
- 3 1/2-inch thick slices of mozzarella cheese
- Balsamic reduction (or glaze) Homemade or store-bought
- In a small mason jar or bowl, combine your garlic, oil, salt and pepper. Give it a good swirl or shake to get it combined. Set aside (You can make this an hour ahead).
- Slice your tomato. Season your tomato slices and mozzarella slices just a bit with salt and pepper
- Assemble your stack (tomato, mozzarella, basil leaves, repeat. Top with a tomato slice) Chop the third mozzarella slice up into cubes and scatter over the top slice of tomato. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze, then drizzle with the garlic oil.
- Enjoy!
Eating them THIS way was, is and forever will be my absolute favorite way to enjoy a tomato…oh dear Lord how I love this and can eat it every-single-day! And please, do not leave out the garlic oil or the balsamic glaze…they are what put this salad over-the-top!
What’s your favorite way to enjoy a tomato? You know I’d love to find more favorites!
One Response
This looks DIVINE. Can’t wait for tomatoes this summer! I love tomatoes on or in anything, especially a tomato sandwich or a BLT.