Hello, 10 on Tuesday fans! Carole, our fearless leader, is having a bit of a vacay this week, but I thought it would be the perfect time to share some ideas for preserving the best tastes of the season to enjoy when summer is gone!
Now, you may notice that tomatoes kind of steal the show, however, there is a reason for that. I am in the TOMATO OVERLOAD ZONE.
Note to self, there is no reason to plant more than one Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato next year. (What on earth was I thinking planting 4!!)
I am seeing some plums in the markets right now and Plum Butter is so good on toast, or in yogurt with a bit of granola, or swirled through vanilla ice cream (you could make your own, but really store bought is just fine!) and (P.S. The cardamom is such a great addition to the butter!)
This recipe calls for apricots, but it is so perfect with peaches. It is so good on English Muffins and stirred into yogurt.
I think that in a few weeks, when the temperatures have cooled off a bit again, you will find good radishes in the markets again and nothing tastes better than Pickled Radishes. Really, I love them and they are a welcome addition to Happy Hour!
Now, let’s get to the tomato recipes; shall we? I love to have jars of Tomato Basil Sauce in the pantry, and I think I will try this one this year!
Slow Roasted Cherry Tomatoes are such incredible pops of flavor. They are so easy to do and they last a long time in the refrigerator. I have made one batch, and will be making another soon! (P.S. I cut them in half before roasting)
Now for the Tomato Jams – I have not made this before, but these recipes look so amazing! And, see above – 4 Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato Plants means I have Cherry Tomatoes in bulk!! I found two versions, and I will be trying both; Tomato Jam and Golden Cherry Tomato and Ginger Jam.
There you have it, Gentle Reader, summer in a jar for you to enjoy when summer is just a fond memory! What is your favorite way to preserve the season’s bounty?
Had a mini get away (1 night) this past weekend and we had happy hour, so I am counting it!
However, I need to have a frank discussion with myself about the chance of success for completing the undone. I might be able to get one or two more things completed, but 100% is highly unlikely.
I mean, it is August 2nd and there are only thirty-three days until Labor Day…There is your depressing thought for the day.
You’re welcome.
Did you have a Summer Bucket List? If yes, how are you doing?
It’s Tuesday and that can only mean one thing…Carole wants to know something very important!!
This week she is asking: 10 Ways to Beat the Heat
This question could not come at a more appropriate time, because we are in the midst of some of the warmest weather we have had all year here in Pittsburgh.
So let me share a few things I have been doing, or will be doing before this heat spell snaps…
Cooking and heat are not the best of friends, and sometimes even grilling when it is 90+ degrees out is too much for any sane person…However, if you were smart on Amazon Prime Day and were able to snag an InstaPot, then you are in luck. Cooking with this thing is Ah-mazing! We used it once this week already, and I have to tell you – I am IN LOVE!!!
If you don’t have this gizmo, then perhaps you should queue up my go to summer meal – a Classic Salad Niçoise, made even better by the fact that very little actually needs to be cooked.
When the weather gets hot… the tough go shopping in an air-conditioned facility.
Or perhaps take in a movie, at an air-conditioned theater
Water – as in submerging your body in it… so head off to a local pool, lake, river, etc.
Museums are also a great place that are air-conditioned!
Your local library – you can sit and read or knit. You can even listen and knit if you have ear buds!
Take an afternoon siesta – there is something so perfect about a nap on a hot summer afternoon.
Embrace the heat and go see a ball game…bonus points in that cold beer is readily available!
And, if all that fails – then plunk yourself in front of a fan with a glass of iced tea and do not move until absolutely necessary!
Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into. ~ Wayne Dyer
In my ongoing attempts to increase my daily gratitude I have really honed in on being aware of the abundance that is everywhere, but especially that abundance that is around me.
Some days that is incredibly easy – when I walk out to my garden and I am surrounded by a bumper crop of tomatoes, peppers, and beans. Then there are the onions that appear to be doing well and the potatoes that seem to be flourishing in their containers. I am stunned also with the fact that all four eggplants have baby eggplants growing on them, and they just don’t seem to be ready to stop blooming yet, so there will surely be more.
However, there is just no way for us to utilize all of this bounty ourselves, so Steve’s office is loving us as we are sharing the overflow of vegetables. I am grateful that we have an abundance to share.
But, the abundance does not stop in my garden.
Yesterday, in my struggle to come up with books to fit bingo squares, you all gave me an abundance of recommendations. I am grateful for the community here.
The search for gratitude has changed my perspective and opened my eyes to the abundance around me.
