Summer Tomatoes With Garlic Basil Food

FRESH TOMATO, BASIL, AND GARLIC SAUCE OVER ANGEL HAIR PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and prepare an ice water bath. Cut a small "x" on the bottom of each tomato. In batches, place the tomatoes in the boiling water and blanch them for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the skins are easy to peel away. Remove and immediately plunge into the ice bath. Peel the tomatoes and halve horizontally. Squeeze out the seeds, using your fingers to get them all. Roughly chop the peeled and seeded tomatoes. Set aside. (You can also use whole peeled canned tomatoes. Simply drain them, seed, and roughly chop).
• Heat a large saute pan over medium high heat. Add the olive oil and heat. When the oil is hot, add the onions and garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Add the thyme leaves, oregano sprig, and chili flakes and saute until the garlic begins to turn golden brown. Add the tomatoes and the sugar and stir well. Lower the heat and cook slowly until the mixture is fairly dry, about 15 minutes.
• Cook the angel hair pasta in boiling, salted water until al dente. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Add the Parmesan and basil and toss well. Place in a large pasta bowl and garnish with Parmesan and basil sprigs.

CANNED WHOLE TOMATOES WITH BASIL AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Place 4 quart jars or 8 pints along with the two-piece caps in hot, soapy water. Rinse well and drain. Heat jars and lids in simmering water (180 degrees) and allow them to stand there until ready to use.
• Select fresh Roma Tomatoes at their peak of quality. Use firm tomatoes, free of cracks and spots. Remove the stem and using a paring knife make a small "X" cut through the skin on the top of the tomato. Place large stock pot on the stove filled with water and bring to a rolling boil. Place the tomatoes in a wire basket and lower them into the boiling water. Blanch tomatoes 30 to 60 seconds or until the skin at the top of the tomato starts to peel away from the "X" mark carved into the top. Dip the tomatoes immediately into cold water to stop the cooking process. Once again using the paring knife, slip the skins off the tomatoes beginning at the "X" mark and leave the Roma Tomatoes whole. Place the peeled tomatoes into another large sauce pot adding just enough water to cover by one inch. Bring the water to a rolling boil and cook tomatoes 5 minutes. While tomatoes are cooking, remove the canning jars from the hot water along with the lids and place on a towel. Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in each jar. Carefully pack the hot tomatoes into the jar placing 2 Basil leaves and 4 cloves of garlic into each jar at alternating levels for eye appeal. Carefully ladle the hot cooking liquid over the tomatoes leaving one half inch of head space. Top with 1 teaspoon each of salt and Hot Sauce.
• Move the jar gently to remove any air bubbles that may have formed around the tomatoes. Repeat two or three times. Screw down the lid and rim firmly onto the jar and place in a simmering water bath for approximately 45 minutes. Remove from hot water and set aside to cool. Once cool, check lids for proper sealing, label and store in a cool, dark place.

SUMMER TOMATO PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Press pie crust into a 9-inch pie pan; prick bottom and sides with fork.
• Bake crust in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool completely.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place tomatoes in a single layer of a colander; sprinkle with salt. Let sit for about 10 minutes to release moisture. Blot excess moisture with a paper towel. Arrange 1 layer of tomato slices around the bottom of the cooled pie crust, overlapping the slices. Sprinkle half the garlic and half the basil onto tomato layer. Sprinkle half the Cheddar cheese and half the mozzarella cheese over basil layer. Repeat layering with remaining tomatoes, garlic, basil, Cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Spread mayonnaise over the top mozzarella cheese layer.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

SUMMER FRESH TOMATO BASIL DIP

Steps:

• Combine, cream cheese, sour cream, basil, Italian parsley, tomatoes, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, tomato paste, onion salt, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on High until whipped, 2 to 3 minutes.

SUMMER FRESH PASTA WITH TOMATOES AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Cook angel hair pasta at a boil until tender but still slightly firm, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water for later use. Transfer the drained pasta to a large serving bowl.
• Place tomatoes in a bowl; season with sea salt and black pepper.
• Pour 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil over the tomato mixture and gently toss; set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat.
• Cook and stir sliced shallot in the hot oil until just becoming translucent, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stir garlic into the shallot; continue cooking and stirring 1 minute more. Remove the skillet from heat.
• Assemble the dish by adding the tomato mixture, the shallot and garlic mixture, and the prosciutto to the pasta; toss to combine. Use the reserved water from cooking the pasta to make it easier to mix.
• Top the pasta dish with basil and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to serve.

SUMMER PASTA WITH CORN, TOMATOES, AND BASIL

Steps:

• Strip the kernels from the ears of corn and toss with the tomatoes in a large bowl.
• Add in the garlic, salt and pepper, olive oil, and basil; taste and add balsamic vinegar, if desired.
• Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes or longer.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Add in 1 tablespoon salt; gradually add the pasta; stir to make sure the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
• Cook until al dente, firm to the bite, and drain.
• Toss the pasta with the tomato/corn mixture; serve.