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Thursday, September 1, 2011

Late August + Pizza

Vine-ripened tomatoes are a sure sign of late August.  For over a week now, our tomatoes have been ripening and were ready for picking.  I would love to tell you their proper name, but Nuno planted them early in the Summer, and I never did figure out their variety.  I can tell you they grow very big and sweet-smelling.  Those who know me well, know that I do not enjoy raw tomatoes.  Yes, I know, it's awful, isn't it?  I do wish I loved tomatoes, but unfortunately, no matter how many times I try them, I feel no appreciation.  But don't get me wrong, I LOVE cooking with tomatoes!  They are the main ingredient in tomato sauces and delicious butter chicken.  I really couldn't live without them.  And as long as they're diced small enough, I will eat them on bruschetta, in tacos, etc.  I just wouldn't be able to take a great big bite out of a tomato.  Do you see what I'm saying?

Tomatoes growing on the side of our house, where we get lots of sunshine!

Within the last week, there has been an abundance of tomatoes ripening every single day.   So, on Monday, I decided to make it a Pizza night!  We divided pizza dough into four equal parts.  Nuno and I, rolled out the dough, mostly with our hands.  A woman we know, who owns an Italian bakery in Toronto, told us not to roll the dough, she says it "kills" the dough.  It is best to work it with your hands.  So, I tried my best to do that.  Nuno, is better at it than I am.  He's usually the one who makes pizza at our house.  Once the dough was rounded out in the pans, the girls got to add the tomato sauce and any toppings they liked. 



This is the tomato sauce I made using fresh garden tomatoes, chopped garlic, chopped, fresh oregano, salt, pepper, and extra virgin olive oil.  Beside it, is some crumbled goat cheese and fresh basil for the toppings.  All the tomatoes, oregano, and basil, came from our herb garden!



This is Anita, adding tomato sauce to her heart-shaped pizza.



And here is Annabel, sprinkling grated mozzarella cheese on hers.  Notice the beautiful pearl bracelet (Nancy, this one's for you)!  She wears it all the time! 



Annabel and Daddy working on their pizzas!



Daddy's pizza looks awesome, topped with pepperoni, basil leaves, kalamata olives, and anchovies. 



The pizzas turned out so yummy.  Of course, we couldn't finish them all.  So, guess what?  We had leftovers the next day and Daddy took some to work.  I am so thankful for my little herb garden, where I can gather so much deliciousness and inspiration for our daily meals.  I will surely miss it once the garden gives way to Fall and the colder temperatures.  

Thank you again for visiting my kitchen.  I want to wish you all a happy September!  When the colder weather comes around, and we are all wearing coats, hats, and mitts, remember that there is one place the cold must never enter - our hearts.  Wishing you all a cozy heart season!  xo


The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August, and here and there a yellow leaf shows itself like the first gray hair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seen one season too many.  ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

5 comments:

  1. Happy September, Rosinda! Oh, my gosh! Your pizzas all look so delicious!! My mouth is watering and I just had breakfast! Look at how big the girls are now...growing so fast and how cute they both are! Proud Mom and Dad!!! Happy cooking! Love and hugs, Sherry xxxx

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  2. I knew we were kindred spirits! I feel the same as you about tomatoes. I guess that means we're both weird :) The pizzas look delicious and the pictures of your family are wonderful. It was so hot here this summer we didn't get any tomatoes at all, so I envy your tomato sauce (which I love -- go figure). Happy September, Rosinda! xoxo

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  3. a feast for the eyes & the tummies! such lucky girls, learning to cook w mom & dad!

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  4. Oh my gosh Rosinda---we both DID do tomatoes and basil!!!! I made breakfast and you made dinner---we should have gotten together and had a picnic all day long!!! This is so beautiful. The girls are all smiles helping mommy in the kitchen---I LOVE IT!!! And the pizzas???? Oh my goodness....they look amazing!!!!

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  5. Maybe you never had a Jersey tomato. Since you'd have to go to New Jersey for it, I might be right. They're the tart, acidy kind that when you bite into them, they bite you back. Some love tomatoes to distraction and others not so much. I love the Jersey ones but the bland, spongey ones, no thrill there at all.

    Here I am, having my 4pm brunch and looking at your gorgeous pizzas. By chance I had two slices left over from a Trader Joe's pizza and popped it into the toaster oven, got distracted, smelled the burn and so I'm looking at your amazing pizzas--all gorgeous but props to Anita for the heart, girl after my own heart--and eating pizza so charred on the edges it's been cremated. Thank goodness for the positive visual to take my mind off the charcoal edges in my brunch.

    Glad Annabel likes her Disney bracelet. She is a Princess!

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