Rainbow Salad

Vibrant heirloom tomatoes from the farmer's market - this salad was a rainbow "feast for the eyes."

The Simpler Things

With fresh produce from the farm (or farmer's market), I think that simpler is better - let the ingredients shine. Here is a fresh heirloom cherry tomato salad dressed simply with good olive oil (from Tuscan family friends' farm), sea salt, and basil picked from the garden. The ideal summer salad - no fuss, and all the flavor.

Farmers Market Finds

It's farmers market season! I went to my local favorite, the Brookline Farmer's Market, yesterday and found some great fresh produce. This farmers market is open through the summer and fall every Thursday and brings local growers from around the region, such as Cook's Farm Orchard, Kimball Fruit Farm and Bob's Turkey Farm, as well as Smith's Country Cheese and local organic Taza Chocolate.

See older post "To Market, To Market": http://princess-peach-kitchen.blogspot.com/2010/07/to-market-to-market.html

This trip to the market I found some leafy green kale, gleaming yellow squash, shining zucchini, and a less common variety:

Cousa squash, similar to a zucchini but lighter in color, is a great different summer squash. Originated in the Middle East, cousa squash can be found in Persian cuisine, often stuffed with tabbouleh, rice, lamb, or couscous. It's naturally sweet and perfect for summer meals!

I also found some massive heirloom tomatoes, swirling red, yellow and green, that were irresistable:

With this enormous yellow tomato I made a roasted golden tomato puree, by roasting the whole tomato in the oven with salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil, for about 45 minutes, then cooling and blending in the food processer with a bit of sauteed onions, garlic, red chili, and basil. The combination of smoky roasted flavor and sweet yellow tomato made a delightful sauce that I used to top grilled portobello mushroom caps, with fresh julienned basil, for a succulent veggie meal. Heirloom tomatoes are also delicious fresh, with some sea salt sprinkled over top -

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients." - Julia Child