Cherry Tomatoes and Updating my Front Entry Way

Cherry Tomatoes.....A friend recently bought a case of cherry tomatoes and decided to share with me. After adding to salads for over a week and still having six baskets full I wondered what else I could do with these sweet little gems. I have roasted whole Roma tomatoes in the past and thought I would try the same technique with these little gems. Keep in mind that slow roasting tomatoes takes time - actually hours - it is a great recipe to do when you are homed in for the day.

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Slice each cherry or grape tomato in half and place on a cookie sheet cut side up (see note below). Drizzle tomato halves with Olive Oil - about 1/3 cup. You want the tomatoes moist but not swimming in the olive oil. Sprinkle with salt (I prefer Sea Salt), pepper, and minced garlic (either fresh or from a jar). If you want to enhance the sweetness of the tomatoes use a small sprinkling of red pepper.

Note ~ I have a Pampered Chef Stone Bar Pan that works great because it is larger than a regular rimmed cookie sheet. If your oven will hold two pans plan to roast two pans at once.

Turn on oven to 225 degrees and add the trays of tomatoes, no need to preheat. Let the roasting begin - will take 3 to 4 HOURS for the tomatoes to slow roast. In the meantime, your home will smell amazing and may even draw in a neighbor to two. Once roasted take from the oven and allow to cool. If you don't have this much time increase oven temp and reduce cooking time. Slow roasting is worth it in my opinion.

Place tomatoes along with the oil in a bowl or jar and use as you like! I keep a jar full in the fridge.

Here are a few serving suggestions.......

~ Serve tomatoes on a plate alongside hummus and toasted pita bread for an appetizer or for lunch or dinner. I love doing this when they are still warm from the oven.

~ Cook penne pasta (or pasta of your choice) as directed on package. Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of tomatoes along with some of the oil from the jar, diced fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. Add olive oil, if needed. Toss and enjoy with crusty bread and glass of wine.

~ Do the same as the above but cool the pasta under running water for an amazing salad. Great for potluck event!

~ Use in omelets or over scrambled eggs in place of salsa.

Enjoy!

Updating my front entry

For those of you that know me, you know I LOVE to paint. I recently did a faux finish on my front entry way to match the stone facing I had placed on my home a few years ago. I thought I would share how I tackled this project and when finished what it looks like.

First step was to collect sponges of different sizes, choose 4 colors of paint and pick a "grout" color. The process took several days but I love the result!

First Step - Paint the concrete in the grout color of your choice; I choose gray because it matched the grout of my stone facing. I did two coats and allowed it to dry overnight.

Using sponges I then alternated sizes and colors to recreate the stone facing on the front of my home.



It took about an hour to paint the first slab. Within two hours I was done! Best to let dry overnight. At this point you can seal your walk - but honestly, my walk is covered so doesn't get many of the elements and my last faux painted brick lasted for 15 years with minimal touch-ups. I purchased all my paint supplies at Lowe's and I know they have the sealer there for purchase.

I added a few accessories and feel like it welcomes my guests beautifully, just as I had hoped. Can't wait until fall to "redecorate" with fall colors.

FYI, to make the brown pillows I reused old pillows I had and cloth napkins I found at World Market on clearance for $1.29 each.