The Accidental Epicurean

Gourmet Garden Tomato Salad Recipe As promised here is the first summer recipe.  This recipe was the winning submission from a contest I won a couple summers ago and was published in Country Magazine.  What an awesome way to use those luscious garden tomatoes we will soon be enjoying.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Stacy Kibler CENTERVILLE OHIO,  I came up with this invigorating salad at our weekly pool gatherings with friends. Each of us brings our own meat to grill and a side to share. This dish was definitely a hit. Ingredients 1-1/2 pounds red, yellow and/or orange tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices 1/3 cup olive oil 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon sugar or honey 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced Directions Arrange tomatoes on a serving platter. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Drizzle over tomatoes. Sprinkle with cheese and basil. Yield:

Life had been busy around here lately. Things have finally slowed back down as the school year is winding down. I have been thinking a lot about summer and all of the farmer’s markets and the opportunity we in the Midwest have to enjoy fresh local produce. I am even doing my part this year and have our garden ready, we have even been able harvest some of our strawberries. This was the perfect opportunity to have my daughters do a taste test as we had some store bought strawberries in the fridge. They both overwhelmingly agreed that our berries that were grown organically (probably not certified as I can’t attest to the ingredients in the pot, but organic soil and fertilizer) tasted much sweeter than the store bought berries. One of the reasons organic veggies and fruits taste better is that they are allowed to grow at their own pace, usually in a very nutrient rich soil. They also tend to be sweeter, brighter in color, and higher in vital nutrients and antioxidants. Summer is the perfe