Tomato Juice Recipe Ideas

I discovered that I love fresh tomato juice recipes made from fresh garden tomatoes, and made it in the blender.

Well, today I had a bowl of fresh Roma Tomatoes  and decided to try making tomato juice with my Cuisinart Smart Stick Blender.  I decided to make the juice using my malt cup which will make 16 Oz at a time in less than a minute per filled malt cup.

Clean up was a breeze using the Stick Blender for recipe ideas.  I know about juicers and had one in the past but do not feel a need to invest in another one.

I like thick tomato juice and do enjoy it when it has a little chew to it.  I discovered that when using Roma tomatoes that the juice is so thick that it does not separate and is yummy delicious with nothing added to the tomatoes.

However, the thickness may not be what you want, so water can be added to thin down the juice.

I do not add any salt, but have tried various seasonings like garlic powder and  Mrs. Dash.

Sometimes I add a splash of either dill or sweet pickle juice, olive juice, sauerkraut juice and I also enjoy jalapeño pepper juice.  I just add a splash or two for my taste, but you can measure if  you want. I encourage you to have fun and experiment with different tasty tomato juice recipes.

Another way I like tomatoes is as a slightly frozen Slush. That is so refreshing on a hot day!


Review: Smart Stick Blender Chopper Whisk and Recipes

Chef Salad Recipe

Today I came in from the garden with my mouth watering for Chef Salad and had gathered some fresh ingredients.  The orange "cherry" tomatoes will be the star with a supporting cast including garden fresh green pepper and red leaf lettuce.

The orange tomatoes are a favorite that I have been waiting for because of their special, almost sweet taste.  They are also a little bit less acidic than regular red tomatoes.




Chef Salad Recipes can vary according to taste and I felt like going a lighter route on a warm day.  I used just one meat and just a little grated cheese to top it off.  I put the ingredients together according to what I feel for at the time and what I have on hand.  Usually, if you order a Chef Salad in a restaurant, you'll get both turkey and ham and two kinds of cheese…..feel free to make it your way!

Ingredients:

Orange Tomatoes today but usually I use red ones.
Red Leaf Lettuce
Green Pepper
Sweet Onion
Hard Boiled Eggs either sliced or diced
Ham, about 2 Oz diced for each serving.
Cauliflower Florets, 1 separated for each serving
Grated Lacy Swiss Cheese
Choice of Salad Dressings

Directions:
Layer ingredients how ever you want to or you can place each ingredient separately in its own section of your salad plate.  Serve with an assortment of dressings, and maybe some toast or crackers on the side.  I often put sliced olives on top but today I am serving a pickle and olive plate on the side.  All that is left is to simply enjoy!

Fast and Easy Mandarin and Banana Fruit Salad Recipe

 This is a very fast and easy fruit salad that is healthy and a tasty fruit recipe.

With both sweet and sour flavors mixed together that will satisfy the palates of those who love yogurt, oranges and bananas for breakfast or as a lovely light desert recipe to top any off special meal.

Fast and easy recipes are a snap to prepare.
Healthy fruit salads that are fast and delicious,
can be a snap for everyone.

 Mandarin and Banana Fruit Salad Recipe

Balsamic Basil Tomato Slices With Feta Cheese

                       Garden Fresh Balsamic Basil Tomato Slices With Feta Cheese

I often enjoy dressing up tomatoes for a side dish that is always sure to please with no leftovers ever.  I had something similar on a buffet, but created my own version that is so simple and delicious that I would like to share it for others to enjoy.  

I used Roma tomatoes but you can use any tomato type you enjoy that holds together well.  This takes just minutes to prepare and enjoy the array of aromas. 

• Slice tomatoes and lay out on a plate or platter.
• Crumble or slice Feta Cheese and place on top of tomato slices. 
• Chop fresh Basil and place on top of tomatoes and cheese.  (or Freeze dried Basil)
• Spritz or drizzle the dressed up tomato slices with Balsamic Vinegar.
• Serve chilled

#share #Tomatoes #Recipe 

Tomato Basil Soup Recipe and Tuna Ranch Sandwiches

                                Today's Garden Fresh Tomato Basil Soup!

 Today I felt for tomato basil soup and I just happened to have some fresh Roma tomatoes and green peppers from the garden along with fresh basil growing in an herb pot.  This was not a time for measuring but for creating delicious by taste.  I started with filling a 2 quart pot with chopped tomatoes and then I decided what other ingredients to add.  Oh, and as the tomatoes cooked down a bit, I added more to fill the pot.

This is my approximate recipe for today's lunch….feel free to change it according to your tastes.  I did not add any liquid because the tomatoes were juicy enough but you could easily thin it with water or turn it into a cream of tomato soup with a little half and half or heavy cream.

10 cups chopped Roma tomatoes

1/4 cup green bell pepper

1/4 cup yellow bell pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped sweet onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

8 fresh sweet basil leaves, finely chopped

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

2 dashes Italian seasoning

Cook all ingredients together for about 20 minutes…until veggies are cooked.  I like to add the basil in the last few minutes of cooking.

Top with a dollop of sour cream and serve.

This is a chunky style soup recipe cooked with the tomato peels on.  It can be made into a cream style tomato soup right in the pot with a Stick Blender with or without cream or half and half.

For those that just want the flavor without the extra veggies, stalks of celery and larger.chunks of peppers and onion can be cooked with the tomatoes and removed before serving. I've done that too, but consider it a waste of good veggies and fiber.

The tomato soup is fat free the way I make it and I don not miss the fat. 1 TBS of Olive oil could be added....or a TBS of Butter....or 2 TBS of Sour Cream for different taste sensations.

I created a Tuna Ranch Sandwich Recipe that I enjoy having with Tomato Basil Soup. 

                                          My Tuna Ranch Sandwich Recipe

The sandwiches today are open faced grilled French style light rye bread with lacy Swiss cheese, topped that with a mix of tuna and veggies.  Again, this is by taste, so feel free to experiment.

          Tuna mix recipe:

 6 oz packet of tuna

1/2 cup of mixed fresh veggies: chopped celery, green pepper and yellow pepper

1 TBS Miracle Whip

2 TBS Ranch dressing with bacon

 Grill the bread on one side with thin slices of lacy Swiss cheese or your favorite cheese and then top with the tuna and veggie mix and serve.

#share #soup #sandwich #recipes