Western Garden Centers

for what grows here

Tomato

Fresh Tomato Soup

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Fresh tomato soup is one of our family’s favorite go-to soups.  It’s comfort food for sure, and pairs perfectly with grilled cheese (a staple in our home)!  There are variations galore, but this is a basic, actually-tastes-like-garden-fresh-tomatoes soup.

Fresh Tomtato Soup This is one of our favorites, especially when you need something quick on a busy weeknight.  It only takes about 20 minutes to throw together, and you don’t have to have a lot of special ingredients.  Just a few pantry staples and, of course, some lovely ripe tomatoes!

This is a great recipe to double, or even triple, and freeze some for another night.  If tomatoes aren’t in season and you don’t have any left from your garden, you can easily substitute canned tomatoes (use 28 oz whole peeled or diced tomatoes).

To make the grilled cheese croutons, butter one side each of two pieces of bread.  Place cheese slices between the bread, making sure the buttered sides are facing out.  Cook in a panini press until both sides are golden brown.  Cut into squares and add to soup.

Fresh Tomtato Soup 5*Butter or avocado oil may be substituted for the coconut oil.

Bruschetta

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One of our favorite ways to use tomatoes is in this simple, fresh & delicious bruschetta recipe.  It goes together fast and is beautiful enough to serve to guests.  This is a great way to use tomatoes when you have more than you can share with your neighbors (one of the best problems to have!).

Bruschetta mainToasting the bread in a hot griddle with butter adds even more flavor, and makes them brown beautifully.  This can be done with baguette (used here) for an appetizer size, or french bread for a main dish.

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DIY Solar Lantern

DIY Solar Lantern

Ingredients

  • empty small-mouth mason jar or other small decorative jar
  • inexpensive solar yard light
  • canning jar ring (optional)
  • hot glue

Instructions

  1. Remove the lid/ring from your small jar.
  2. Remove the solar light unit from the inexpensive solar light. Recycle the rest of the solar light or reserve for another project.
  3. Place the solar light unit (with solar cells facing up) on/into the top of the jar opening. Secure with hot glue.
  4. If desired, place a canning ring on top of the jar (around the solar light) and secure with hot glue.
  5. Place solar lights in your yard, they look great sitting on the porch or hanging from a shepherd's hook!
https://westerngardens.com/bruschetta/

One of the best parts about this bruschetta is its versatility.  If you like more salt, add more salt.  If you want more basil, add more!  You can adapt it to whatever your taste may be, and the wonderful flavors of the tomatoes and basil will always shine through.

Avocado & Slow-Roasted Tomato Toast

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Roasting is one of my favorite ways to cook veggies, as I mentioned in my post about roasted asparagus.  Tomatoes are another reason why.  Slow roasting concentrates their flavors, making even so-so tomatoes wonderfully delicious and tender…similar to how a slow-cooker can turn a tough cut of meat into a tender and juicy dish. If garden-fresh tomatoes aren’t in season but you need a fix, this is a perfect way to prepare them to get maximum flavor from a less-than-flavorful store bought tomato!

slow roasted tomato toast 3 pin

The flavors of roasted vegetables are deep and rich.  The tomatoes come out juicy and soft and the garlic will spread right into the toast.  slow roasted tomato avocado toast collage

Slow-Roasted Tomato & Avocado Toast

Ingredients:

  • 4 medium tomatoes, halved
  • 8 cloves garlic, unpeeled
  • 2-3 Tbsp olive or avocado oil
  • dried Italian seasoning (or 2 sprigs fresh herbs)
  • freshly ground sea salt & black pepper
  • 2 avocados
  • 1-2 tsp lime juice
  • 8 toasted french bread slices
  • balsamic reduction*

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Place the garlic cloves and tomatoes, cut-side up, in a baking dish.  Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt & pepper.
  2. Roast for about 1 hour & 45 minutes (up to two hours). Tomatoes should be slightly reduced in size and skins should be puckered.
  3. Check the garlic after about 1 hour 15 minutes.  They might be done before the tomatoes.  Remove if done, continue roasting if not.
  4. Tomatoes can be served right away, or refrigerated for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
  5. To assemble the toast, begin by toasting 8 slices of french bread.
  6. Peel and pit the avocado and mash with lime juice.
  7. Remove the peel from a clove of roasted garlic and spread it over a slice of toast.  Spread avocado mixture over the garlic.  Top the avocado with a roasted tomato, and drizzle with balsamic reduction.

slow roasted tomato toast 6 square*To reduce balsamic vinegar, add 1 cup to a saucepan over medium heat.  Stir frequently for about 10 minutes, or until balsamic is reduced to desired consistency.  It will thicken as it cools, so remove it from the heat before it looks completely done.

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Cowboy Caviar

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If you are looking for something a little different, really simple, and super quick, look no further!  It’s a fabulous appetizer served with chips, or as part of a main meal…like a taco bar topping.  Whether your ingredients are straight from the garden, or came from the produce section, you will impress your guests with this flavorful treat!

Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy Caviar

Ingredients:

  • 1 can (15.25 oz) supersweet yellow corn
  • 1 can (15.25 oz) white corn, drained
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, rinsed & drained
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 packet Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix (dry)
  • 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and gently combine.  Delicious right away, but even better once the flavors have had a chance to mingle.  Serve with chips, or in a taco bar.

Cowboy Caviar square

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Becky

  

~Becky

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