Friday, August 31, 2012

Corrie ten Boom.

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength, carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” ―Corrie ten Boom

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

thankful.

:: for such great friends and family who have blessed me with a special birthday
:: that fall is coming. I can't wait to drink more tea, wear scarves and be able to leave the windows at my house open without fear of melting
:: that my tomato plant produced at least one tomato. I know, one tomato is a pathetic harvest, but at least I got one

Sunday, August 26, 2012

tomato pie.

 

 
 

Everytime I make this savory pie for dinner, we always talk about how it must be part of a proper hobbit's meal. Doesn't it sound like something hobbits would eat? Tomato Pie and sausages. I can totally picture a table full of hobbits devouring this pie for second lunch, or whatever afternoon meal hobbits eat.

I found myself with a vegetable drawer full of tomatoes a few months ago and searched around on the internet for recipes and ways to use them up. I stumbled on Simply Recipes' post about Tomato Pie and I knew I had to try it. Everything I have made from Simply Recipes has been so good, so I wasn't surprised when it was delish. Since making it that first time, we have it nearly once a week--it is pretty easy to throw together in a pinch.


Tomato Pie
adapted slightly from Simply Recipes' Tomato Pie
 

A 9-10 inch pie crust, baked and ready to be filled
3-4 tomatoes, seeded, squeezed and rough chopped (about 3 cups)
1/2-3/4 cup onion chopped
3/4 cup basil, rolled and chopped finely
2 cups shredded cheese, a mixture of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack
3/4 cup mayonnaise
about a tsp of hot sauce (I use Sriracha because that's usually what I have on hand)
salt and pepper to taste
 
Preheat oven to 375 F.
 
Spread onions in an even layer in the bottom of the pie crust. Top with a thick layer of chopped tomatoes. Sprinkle basil over the tomatoes.
 
In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, cheese and hot sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste.
 
Carefully top the pie with an even layer of the mayo cheese mixture. I use my hands to pat out thin hamburger pattie like pieces of the topping, then tamp them down on top of the tomatoes. There should be enough topping to evenly cover the entire top of the pie.
 
Bake for 30-40 minutes until the cheese is hot and bubbly. Cool for 7-10 minutes and serve.
 
**A note about pie crust: I am cheap and too lazy to make my own pie crust, so I always buy the premade type from the store. It is important to follow the directions on the package to pre-bake the crust properly.
 
 
 

Saturday, August 25, 2012

ing.

:: relaxing with the husband on a Saturday
:: dreaming up plans for our next vacation
:: thinking about how cool it would be to be able to see all the things on the bottom of the ocean. Don't you just wonder what all is sitting down there?
:: having fun getting this new blog all set up and pretty