Cooking and Gardening two of my favorite things




Cooking and gardening just go together. I couldn't imagine doing one without the other. This year I am so excited I planted, just a few, heirloom tomatoes in my garden. I made a small kitchen garden close to my deck. I can easily pick tomatoes and herb right out of the garden to the kitchen. I love the design that I created. I placed a slate paver in the center of the garden and circled the paver with the tomato plants. Then I added a circle of basil plants. Around the edge of the garden I intermingled more herbs.  For the focal point of the garden I planted a large strawberry jar planter with annuals and herbs placing the planter in the garden on the slate paver.  More planted seasonal annuals add a cascade of beautiful colors to complete my kitchen garden combining function and beauty.
I can't wait to harvest my delicious heirloom tomatoes. Last year I purchased these tasty beauties making the thoughts of picking my own home grown tomatoes so wonderful. Heirloom tomatoes are visually beautiful with a deep flavorful taste. So  tasty are these tomatoes that I just slice, arrange on a plate and drizzle balsamic vinegar and serve.  Simple, delicious, just perfect for a light summer meal. Serve with a main dish or as a side dish at a casual party.

Enjoy!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rigatoni with Eggplant and Pine Nut Crunch

Image
I make this pasta dish from a recipe in the current, March 2011, Bon Appetit issue. Very rich in taste with the addition of heavy cream, but I think not all calories are the same. You feel more satisfied from delicious calories then junk calories. So skip processed and junk food in favor of a wonderful meal. And remember portion control is always an option to cutting calories. www.bonappetit.com Enjoy
Read more

Mangia, Mangia!

I know that I call this Good Dinner Mrs. Mellen and as I’ve been reminded I haven’t shared much dinner. I have been spending most of my time in my gardens, that has been my focus this spring. As much a I love to garden,I do love to cook and entertain. I learned to cook and appreciate good food from my Mother and Grandmother. I have fond memories of growing up sharing wonderful meals with my extended family. My Grandmother made everything from scratch including growing the herbs, garlic and plum tomatoes for her sauce. Yes in my Italian family we call it sauce not gravy.(Gravy is what you made from turkey and beef). My Grandmother made the most wonderful meals without recipes, fancy tools or gadgets, just the best ingredients and some simple kitchen tools. She didn’t even measure her ingredients she just knew how much by sight. Everything that she made was just delicious, even a simple cheese sandwich was heaven to taste. My Mother carried on this tradition of being an exceptional coo
Read more

Mandi's Bridal Shower Tea Party

Image
The Beautiful Bride     When my daughter got engaged I knew that her Bridal Shower would be an elegant Tea Party.  She and I have been going to high tea since she was a little girl continually finding wonderful tea houses to visit during our travels. Living in the Boston are I found the perfect venue in the Soiree Dinning Room at Upstairs on The Square in Harvard Square.  The whimsical gilded designed dinning room looks like Alice just fell through the looking glass! I found my dream location for a fanciful Tea Party. Next I went to work with my daughter-in-law Jackie to make the perfect invitations to compliment the look and feel of the Soiree Dinning Room.  We didn't need to look any further than The Paper Source with Nicole helping us pick out the perfect invitations to make.  Gold polka dot invitations mounted on hot pink paper with a hot pink envelope finished with a sparkly gold liner.  Bright, fun and beautiful! Next onto the favors.  I am n
Read more