Fresh Tomato Tart

Peak tomato season is upon us! A tomato tart is a unique and delicious way to showcase this summertime star. This dish features a Parmesan cheese crust layered with whipped ricotta and finished with slices of heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil. Enjoy this tomato tart with a simple side salad for a delightful lunch or dinner!

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Fresh Tomato Tart
Makes one 9-inch square tart

Parmesan Crust Ingredients:
1-1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup cold, salted butter, cut into cubes
1-3 tablespoons ice water

Whipped Ricotta Filling Ingredients:
8 oz fresh ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

Topping Ingredients:
3 large heirloom tomatoes, sliced
Salt for tomatoes
Basil, chiffonade cut for garnish
Lemon zest, for garnish
Reduced balsamic vinegar, drizzled for garnish
Kosher or flake salt for garnish

Directions:

1. Prepare the crust. Using a food processor, pulse the flour, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese together until combined. Add 1/2 of the cubed butter and pulse until the texture is as coarse as cornmeal. Add the remain- ing butter and pulse a few times leaving some pieces the size of small peas. Slowly drizzle the water in one tablespoon at a time, and pulse until the dough forms. Avoid adding too much water.

2. Pat the dough into a disc form and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour.

3. Meanwhile, prepare the whipped ricotta filling. In a food processor or high-powered blender, whip the ricotta with the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt until a very smooth texture is formed.

4. Prepare the topping ingredients. Slice the tomatoes into 1/4”-thick slices, and place on a paper towel-lined sheet pan. Sprinkle the slices with Kosher salt and let them rest for a few minutes to release excess juices. Slice the basil into a chiffonade cut for a garnish. Zest a lemon to use as a garnish, as well.

5. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Roll out the crust on a flour-dusted work surface. Place the crust in a greased tart pan and trim the edges. Place pie weights inside the tart crust and bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove the pie weights and continue baking an additional 15-20 minutes or until the crust springs back when touched, and has turned a light golden hue. Allow the crust to cool completely on a cooling rack.

6. Assemble the tart once the crust has cooled completely. Spread the whipped ricotta on the baked crust. Top the ricotta layer with the tomato slices. Garnish with the basil, lemon zest, a pinch of salt, and a drizzle of reduced balsamic vinegar. Serve immediately. Enjoy with a simple side salad, if desired.

Classic Sloppy Joes

A classic loose meat sandwich, also known as a “Sloppy Joe,” is an easy answer to “what’s for dinner?” These sandwiches come together easily with just a handful of ingredients. Plus, it’s a great recipe for including kids in the kitchen. Served on a buttered and toasted buns, these sweet and tangy sandwiches simmered in a zingy tomato sauce always hit the spot! Make it a meal with a side of chips and our favorite super easy onion dip!

Classic Sloppy Joes
Makes 4 - 6 sandwiches

A classic loose meat sandwich, also known as a “Sloppy Joe,” is an easy answer to “what’s for dinner?” These sandwiches come together easily with just a handful of ingredients. Plus, it’s a great recipe for including kids in the kitchen. Served on a buttered and toasted buns, these sweet and tangy sandwiches simmered in a zingy tomato sauce always hit the spot! Make it a meal with a side of chips and our favorite super easy onion dip!

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1/2 large sweet onion, minced (about 1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup yellow mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
6 oz tomato paste
1 -to 1-1/4 cup cold water
6 buttered and toasted hamburger buns

Directions:
1. Prepare the onion and garlic by cutting into a fine mince. 

2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Chop and stir into small pieces and cook until well browned. Drain the ground beef in a paper towel-lined bowl.

3. Add the onion and garlic to the pan, and sauté until the onions have softened. Add the cooked ground beef back to the pan and stir until combined.

4. In a small bowl, mix together the sauce. Add the brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and tomato paste and stir to combine.

5. Add the sauce to the meat mixture and stir until combined.

6. Add 1 cup of water to the mixture and simmer on low for 15 minutes or until the meat captures the sauce’s flavors. Stir the mixture occasionally as it simmers, and add additional water, as needed.

7. Butter the buns and arrange closely together on a large sheet pan. Broil until the buns are toasted to a golden brown. (Watch closely!)

8. Serve on a toasted and buttered bun with your favorite toppings.

Super Easy Onion Dip:
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
2-3 tablespoons half & half
1-2 tablespoons minced onion, (more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

In a small food processor, blend together the dip ingredients. Add the half and half a few tablespoons at a time until you reach your desired dipping consistency. Adjust the dip by adding more onion and black pepper according to your taste. Serve with your favorite style of potato chips or fresh veggies!

Summer’s End Dinner

Summer’s end is nearly here – time to plan one last hurrah on the back patio! IN THIS ISSUE, we’ve planned a perfect end-of-summer dinner menu with Orange & Thyme Pork Tenderloin, an Arugula, Heirloom Tomato & Whipped Ricotta Salad, Grilled Carrots with Minted Yogurt Sauce, and a refreshing Blackberry & Lemon Iced Tea. Cheers to this (Unusual) Summer! 

Blackberry & Lemon Iced Tea
Makes 8 cups iced tea

Nothing says summer like iced tea. We’ve decided to spruce up this favorite by adding fresh blackberries and slices of lemon to the tea we love so much. A great accompaniment to any al fresco meal.

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh blackberries, divided
1/4 cup sugar
8 cups water, divided
8 black tea bags
1 lemon, sliced

Directions:
1. Mash or puree 1 cup of blackberries with 1/4 cup sugar.

2. Bring 5 cups of water to a boil. Add the tea bags to the hot water and steep for 6-8 minutes, then remove the tea bags.

3. Pour the hot tea over the blackberry mixture and let sit for 1 hour. Then, strain through a fine mesh sieve.

4. Add 3 cups of cold water and taste the tea. Adjust the sweetness to your preference, then refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

5. Serve on ice with a garnish of lemon wedges and remaining cup of whole blackberries.

6. Optionally, add a float of bourbon on top before serving.

Arugula, Heirloom Tomato & Whipped Ricotta Salad
Serves 4 - 6

Whipped ricotta turns this salad into a creamy, dreamy delight! Spicy arugula complements the lemon-y, smooth whipped ricotta and the ripe grape tomatoes punctuate each bite with bursts of brightness.

Salad Ingredients:
15 oz fresh ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
6 oz arugula
Heirloom cherry tomatoes
Basil, chiffonade cut for garnishing

Vinaigrette Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
Juice of half a lemon
Salt and pepper

Directions:
1. In a food processor or high-powered blender, whip the ricotta with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt until very smooth.

2. Whisk the vinaigrette ingredients together in a small jar.

3. Toss the arugula with the vinaigrette. Spread the ricotta on a large serving plate.

4. Top the ricotta layer with arugula, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and a garnish of basil.

Grilled Carrots with Minted Yogurt Sauce
Serves 4 - 6

Carrots are transformed on the grill! With some simple seasonings and the utility of a grill basket, simple carrots become elevated into a flavorful, sweet, and savory side! Dressed up with an easy za’atar yogurt sauce, this side dish is worthy of repeating often.

Ingredients:
10 carrots, or about 2 lbs carrots, peeled and cut into 3” matchsticks
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon sugar

Yogurt Sauce:
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (or about half of a small lemon)
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Za’atar spice blend

Garnish:
Fresh cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped

Directions:
1. Peel the carrots, and cut into 3” long matchsticks.

2. Prepare the carrots for grilling: Place the carrots in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss Sprinkle with garlic powder, Kosher salt, pepper, and sugar.

3. Grill the carrots in a grill basket over high heat until slightly blistered, a little charred, and just tender, stirring often.

4. While the carrots are grilling, prepare the yogurt sauce by whisking all of the yogurt sauce ingredients together.

5. Serve the grilled carrots with a drizzle of yogurt sauce, and a generous garnish of fresh cilantro.

Orange & Thyme Pork Tenderloin
Serves 4 - 6

Pork tenderloins are perfectly primed for adapting to flavorful marinades. This marinade features fresh orange juice, thyme leaves and a few other classic marinade flavormakers like Dijon mustard, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic powder. It’s an easy and delicious recipe!

Ingredients:
2 pork tenderloins

Marinade:
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons orange juice
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
4 sprigs of thyme, leaves only

Directions:
1. Prepare the marinade in a medium bowl by whisking all of the ingredients together.

2. Add the pork tenderloins to the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour for the flavors to infuse into the meat.

3. Fire up the grill! Let the marinated tenderloins warm to room temperature for 20 minutes before grilling. Place the marinated tenderloins on the hot, well-oiled grill, and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side. Turn until all sides have seared and browned, and then, turn on one burner (or turn to low) to create a direct/indirect environment. Place the seared tenderloins on the cooler, indirect side, and continue to cook until their internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.

4. Once the pork tenderloins reach 145 degrees F, place on a clean plate, and cover loosely with a tinfoil "tent" for about 10 minutes. This allows the meat to rest, and the juices to soak back into the meat. 5. Slice the grilled tenderloins, and serve warm.

Time for Tomatoes

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