Mater Juice

Tomato juice. So simple. So quick. And so tasty!

When I am working in the garden during the summer I crave it.  My mouth just watered thinking about it.  Seriously!

And the great thing is it is really quick to make. I know you are thinking that cleaning up the juicer is a pain but if you prep ahead, it is really easy!  Promise.

Mater Juice

3 Large Tomatoes (I prefer heirloom varieties)

1 pepper (ancho, poblano, serrano, jalepeno or anaheim)

2 stalks celery

salt to taste

1. Fill sink with warm water and a few drops of soap.

2. Juice in this order: tomatoes, pepper, celery, cutting veg to fit into your juicers chute.

3. Stir taste and add salt to taste. 

4. DO NOT let that juicer sit. Take it apart, scrape the veg into your compost or trash and put immediately into the sink water. Scrub each piece quickly, rinse and set on towel to air dry. Should take less than 3 minutes.

5. Drink that juice. Enjoy!

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No Tomato Left Behind

I have a policy on the farm.  A "No Tomato Left Behind Policy."

I cannot bare to waste one little tomato. They aren't allowed in the refrigerator. So... I figure ways to use them so we have tomatoes for the coming year.

My favorite way to use tomatoes and not waste is just dehydrating them. Then, I have "sun-dried" tomatoes for the year. And seriously folks, it is like a little kiss from summer all year long.

I use them in salads, soups, stews, breads, juices, dips and more. My Garden Shadow likes them as chips. And let me tell you, the girl is brilliant. Use as chips dipped in cashew "cream cheese." Dreamy. Dreamy I tell you.

On the trail. Dried tomatoes. Just plain old dried tomatoes makes my tongue and belly happy.

Just good stuff!

Alone or as an ingredient. Not one goes to waste. We always seem to just make it to next summer.

Go crazy here.  So tell me... What's your favorite way to enjoy "sun-dried" tomatoes?

Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Gather those tomatoes and wash clean. I have a scrub brush that I use to gently scrub mine.

I slice mine about 1/3rd of an inch wide.

Put in a big ol' bowl.

Add salt, pepper and italian seasoning to taste.

Stir until well combined. I use my hand. Cooking and prepping food is a tactile experience for me.

I taste until I am absolutely certain the flavor is perfect. This may take several mouth fulls. :)

Place on dehydrater trays until all are full. I have 8 racks I fill so I have to cut and refill bowl several times. (You will have juice left over. I use it in soup or to sauté veg. Or to drink. Choose your thrill.)

Fill that puppy up and turn it to 225 degrees. I let mine go at least 24 hours and continue to check every few hours until they are crisp. I admit I do quality control each time I check because I can't resist.

Pull them off the tray and store in airtight container.

I use a jar. When it is full I add a couple of oxygen absorbers to keep them nice and fresh and dry. Use them in your recipes or like the Garden Shadow so brilliantly does, as a chip. A chip with mighty flavor!

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If You Give this Mom a Tomato...

If you give this mom a tomato, she's gonna ask for a knife.

When you give her the knife, she'll make Tomato Jam.

When she is finished, she will ask for another tomato.

Then, she'll slice it and make Tomato Pie.

When she smells the Tomato Pie, it will remind her of pizza

which will make her want to make Tomato Sauce.

So, she'll ask for another tomato.

When she is finished,she'll immediately ask for another-

She'll start making Salsa.

She might get carried away and make a lot of Salsa.

She may even make some Fire Roasted Salsa as well.

When she's finished,

she'll probably want another tomato.

You'll have to give her one with some eggplant and peppers.

She'll dig in making herself some Grilled Ratatouille. 

She'll surely ask for another tomato.

So you'll get one and slice it for her and she'll ask to see.

When she sees it she'll get so excited because it will make her want "Sun-dried" Tomatoes.

She'll ask for the Dehydrater.

She'll dehydrate them.

When drying is finished, she''ll want to eat some on a plate.

Then, she'll want another tomato so she can make

 Creamy Roasted Tomato, Garlic, Onion & Coconut Soup.

Which means she'll need the knife. 

She'll cut it, stand back, look at it and that will remind her that she is thirsty.

So... she'll ask for Tomato Juice.

And chances are, if she asks for a glass of Tomato Juice,

You'll be getting another tomato for whatever is next.

And that, my friends, is what tomato season looks like on our family farm.

Inspired by:
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

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