Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes and my new favorite author

Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes.......
I had the best crop of tomatoes this year. I don't know if it was because we had a milder summer or just a heartier group of tomato plants. Whatever the reason I have enjoyed two of my favorite tomato recipes all summer long ~ Caprese Salad and Chunky Tomato Sauce that I freeze to use year round. 

                               


Here is a basket of tomatoes from my garden. Those that didn't get enough sun in the garden ripened nicely on my kitchen window sill.




Caprese Salad

Ripe tomatoes (one large tomato per person)
Olive oil
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Fresh mozzarella cheese (I buy mine from Costco)
Fresh basil (several chopped leaves)
Loaf of french bread or bread of your choice
Salt and pepper to taste

Slice tomatoes and mozzarella about 1/2 inch thick. On a large platter place one tomato and overlap with a slice of mozzarella. Add another tomato and another slice of mozzarella. Drizzle olive oil over all and add a splash or two of balsamic vinaigrette. Top with the chopped basil and season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve with sliced french bread  and a glass of iced tea or a glass of Chardonnay.

Yum! Best meal for a meatless Monday!

My new favorite Author ~ Barbara O'Neal

Earlier this year I stumbled upon the author, Barbara O'Neal. She crafts the most magnificent stories and the best part...she incorporates and includes recipes throughout each of her stories! It is as close to reading a cookbook; which was one of my Mom's favorite things to do, as you can get. She additionally adds at least one dog into each of her stories and being the dog-lover that I am it just adds to the depth of her novels.

"The Lost Recipe for Happiness" is the story of Elena, who moves to Aspen, CO with her faithful dog, Alvin to run a kitchen in a world class Santa-Fe restaurant that is desperately in need of a makeover. As layer upon layer of this love story unfolds she weaves a tale intertwined with food, friendship, passion and the healing powers of love. I made her Pomegranate Baklava. If you like pomegranates, you will love this yummy twist on Baklava.

"The Secret of Everything" introduces you to Tessa who leads hiking tours around the country for adventurous vacationers. She heads to New Mexico to scope out a new location where she meets Vince. They are both drawn to the town's beloved eatery - 100 Breakfasts - and to each other. Breakfast recipes are woven into a truly delightful love story. She includes a Goat Cheese and Apple Tart that I will make this fall when apples are in season.

"How to Bake a Perfect Life" is her most recent novel. This story explores the complex relationships between mothers and daughters - and the healing magic of homemade bread. The tale centers around Ramona who inherits her Grandmother's Victorian home in Colorado and opens Ramona's Bakery. While this story unfolds it is intertwined with delicious bread and dessert recipes. My favorite from this book; Sunshine Fruit and Honey Bread. It is a delectable sweet bread recipe that went wonderfully with a cup of tea.

Aside from the recipes, I enjoyed the complexity of the mother/grandmother relationships she includes in each story. I have to share that I typically download and read books on my Kindle but after reading each of her novels I HAD to go buy each book just so I would have hard copies of the recipes!

Now that you know my newest passion have you read a book that tells a good story and includes recipes?