I did not grow up liking raw tomatoes. I can remember my mom and dad "ohhh-ing" and "ahhh-ing" as they ate the simply salted or plain fresh tomatoes from our backyard tomato plants. They uttered the words I heard many times during my picky-eating-phase of life:
"You don't know what you're missing!"
and it's follow-up statement:
"Someday you might like this."
Despite my emphatic denials at the time, I have to admit, I am now an "ohhh-ing and ahhh-ing" summer tomato eater.
So it is much to my delight that one of our tomato plants is producing *almost* more tomatoes than we can eat. I've done multiple batches of our favorite Sweet Pea Pizza Sauce and I am seeking out new recipes for freezing them for later this winter.
But my favorite way to eat our tomatoes fulfill my parents' predictions of my childhood. I do enjoy plain fresh tomatoes, but this simple Caprese Salad transforms the tomatoes to a higher level.
Breezy Caprese Salad
Sliced Fresh Tomatoes
A Sprinkle of Balsamic Vinegar
A Bit of Olive Oil
Pinch of Salt and Pepper
Fresh Basil
Combine on a plate. If you have some fresh mozzarella, slice some up to serve with the tomatoes. If not, just enjoy "ohhh-ing" and "ahhh-ing" as you eat:
SPC
SPC