Food has magical powers.
- At July 26, 2010
- By Molly Chester
-
7
Have you ever tried an heirloom cherry tomato? First off, be warned not to put them in the fridge, really any tomato for that matter. It kills their flavor. They go from: Exciting! Sweet! Delicious! To blah, in about 4 hours. Strawberries, too. I didn’t learn the strawberry rule till after I put some of my mom’s absolutely perfect summer berries, fresh from the market, in the fridge. Several hours later, hungry for a mid-morning snack, she found them and almost cried. The raw sting of a lesson that sticks…
All cherry tomatoes are good, especially fresh from the vine, but if you ever stop at a farmers’ market that offers little baskets of bright orange, odd-shaped yellow and deep, perfect red tomatoes that taste of the best tomato you’ve ever eaten, do me a favor: buy a basket and run home to make this dish. Oh, and if the next stand over has green beans, you’ll kill it! This dish relies on fresh summer produce at its peak. When you have it, people will oooh! and ahhh! with every passing bite, if not, it will still be good, just not great.
Don’t be scared off by the Fresno pepper. Recently, I entered into a torrid affair with fresh chili peppers. I’m trying them all. I have no shame. If you don’t have access to Fresno peppers, which are slightly sweet, red pepper-esque with a good amount of heat, you can totally sub with crushed red chili peppers.
Oh, and eat this in one sitting. If not, you will be disappointed the next day to find pale green beans and mushy tomatoes. If it’s just you, share the leftovers with a neighbor, who will then be forever endeared to you. Food has magical powers. To summer’s bounty! I hope you enjoy. With any luck, this recipe will make its way to the Heirloom Tomato Episode of Farm to Table one day.
Click HERE for the Green Bean Salad with Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes recipe…
xo – Organic Spark
Lindsey in AL
Last year we grew little yellow "pear tomatoes" in our garden. They were about the only tomato plants that yielded much of anything and didn't succumb to blossom-end rot. Not one of those tomatoes made it into the house though. It's a long walk from our garden- probably 1/10 mile or a little more. A person gets hungry on those long walks. And if that person hasn't already eaten all the pear tomatoes while IN the garden, she's certainly not going to allow herself to starve to death on the way home.
We'll definitely be planting more of them next year (not sure what happened this year) and if we plant enough I MIGHT have enough to make this dish. Once. It sounds delicious!
I believe I found your blog via a post by your mom on a WPF list we're on together. I so enjoy reading about your adventures in the kitchen. Blessings!
Rainbow Mama
Looks delicious!! We grow many heirloom tomato varieties so I'll have to give this recipe a try.
country girl
Oh, YUM! And what gorgeous photo!
Fayinagirl (means Free One)
We absolutely love heirloom tomatoes. This recipe looks amazing.
Elizabeth
I made this last night with fresh french style beans and cherry tomatoes from the garden and it was wonderful.
Dana
Molly – I served this last week at book club. It was a hit (despite the fact that I didn't see your note about NOT making it several hours in advance until AFTER having done so) and several people asked me for the recipe. So I think you'll have some new followers! Thank you again for such delicious recipes! xoxo
Molly Chester
Lindsey in AL – Your story is so cute. I can totally relate to that… and so glad you found this blog through Mom. She loves the WPF list you all share!
Rainbow Mama – Let me know if you do!
FayinaGirl & Country Girl – Thanks sweet ladies! xo
Elizabeth – French Green Beans would have been LOVELY, I'm sure. Great swap.
Dana – YAY! Thanks for letting me know you liked it, and for passing on the blog! You're a (perfectly ripe) peach. :) xo