Merry Tomatoes Food

ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the tomatoes on a sheet pan, drizzle over the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until the tomatoes collapse, about 10 minutes.

BLOODY MARY

Steps:

• Rub lemon or lime around rim of glass and then put the rim in margarita salt or Tony Chachers, if desired.
• Add ice to glass.
• Mix Vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, salt, Pepper, celery salt and horseradish (if using) and pour in glass.
• Garnish with lemon or lime wedge, celery stalk, green onion or pickled green bean.

MERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Pierce the tomatoes a few times on the top (stem side).
• Place the tomatoes in a serving dish or bowl.
• Pour the vodka over the tomatoes.
• (Each tomato should be partially submerged in the vodka. Depending on the serving bowl, you may need to use more than 1 cup.) Allow to marinate for at least 6 hours.
• In a small bowl combine the celery salt and lemon pepper seasoning, mixing well.
• Place the bowl of seasoning next to the bowl of tomatoes along with a small container of toothpicks.
• Guests are to spear a tomato with a toothpick and then dip it in the seasoning mixture.

SHEET PAN GNOCCHI WITH CHERRY TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA (30 MINUTE DINNER)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Open the package of gnocchi and dump the whole thing on the sheet pan.
• Add 2 packages of cherry tomatoes to the dry pan. If your pan looks too full (you want each tomato to have a little space to roast) then remove some of the tomatoes.
• Use the side of a chef knife to smash the garlic. Add it to the pan whole. Use as many as you like.
• Open the tub of mozzarella. Remove the cheese to a bowl. Pour most of the herbed oil from the tub onto the pan with the gnocchi. You don't need to use all of it, just enough to make sure everything is coated. Use your hands to rub oil all over the gnocchi and tomatoes. Get all those herbs on there!
• Arrange the gnocchi and tomatoes into a single layer on the pan. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
• Roast at 450 for 17-20 minutes, until some of the tomatoes have popped and the gnocchi looks golden.
• Let the gnocchi cool on the pan for a few minutes before adding the mozzarella (you don't want it to melt into blobs.) You can either add the mozzarella to the pan and serve it from there, or remove all of it to a serving platter and toss together.
• Garnish with fresh basil and parmesan cheese! For a real treat, drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar over each serving. You will not regret it!