Saturday, July 25, 2009
Canned Roasted Tomatoes in Olive Oil, With Garlic And Herbs...
This week, I came across this wonderful recipe for preserved roasted tomatoes. As I already have 15 quarts of tomatoes put up, and had a mountain more on the counter (perhaps 25 pounds, or more), and the plants are still loaded with ripening Romas, I thought that I'd give it a try. Yesterday, we had an administrative day off due to a big change of leadership ceremony well-done, and so, I decided to give it a try. Let me tell you-- the results are spectacular, and my house smelled wonderful all day!
via Grist
Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes
Makes about 3 pint jars10 pounds heirloom tomatoes
1 head of garlic, cloves separated but not peeled
A couple of shallots, halved, but not peeled, optional
A handful of thyme sprigs
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
2-3 teaspoons kosher or sea salt
Your favorite fresh herbs for tomatoes—basil, marjoram, or oregano
A few dried red chili peppers, optional
Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper or foil. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F.
Rinse your tomatoes, and slice them in half across their equator [MF says-- I used Romas, so I trimmed the stem spot off, and sliced mine top to bottom], or into thirds if they are particularly large. Line them on the baking sheet in a single layer, seed side up. Drizzle generously with olive oil. Scatter the garlic cloves, shallots, garlic, and thyme over the tomatoes. Sprinkle each tray of tomatoes with one teaspoon of salt.
Place the tomatoes in the oven and roast for about 6 hours [MF says-- I started checking mine after about 2-1/2 hours, it took ~5 hours for me], until much of the tomato juices have evaporated, and the slices have shrunk to about ½ their original size.
Let the tomatoes cool at room temperature. Then with a spatula [MF says-- I used a big spoon or my clean fingers, it was easier than balancing a tomato on a spatula] transfer the slices to your very clean pint jars (wide mouth canning jars will be easiest to deal with.) Layer fresh basil, or your preferred herb, between the slices of tomato, as well as the cloves of garlic and shallots that you squeeze from their hulls. Leave about 1 inch of headspace at the top of each jar."*"
The link provides SEVERAL different preserving methods, and much, much more. I froze a few pints, and processed the rest, save for two pints, which are fresh, and in the refrigerator. The recipe author says to pack the tomatoes in "very clean jars," but, I ALWAYS sterilize mine-- even brand new ones-- by boiling for at least 15 minutes before using.
I made 12 pints. Some with basil, some with oregano, and some with rosemary. I added dried chilis from last summer to a few, and roasted some yellow bell peppers, and some sweet banana peppers along with the tomatoes with a mix and match plan. This way, I can use different tomatoes for different Italian recipes-- from simple marinara to pizza sauce or lasagna sauce, or whichever fits a recipe. I used some Friday night to make a pizza, and I'll tell you, it was better than using fresh, or even sun-dried tomatoes. So tender and full of concentrated flavor!
I can only imagine how wonderful it will be to open one of these little jars of sunshine come February, on a snow day, and making some delicious, summery dish.
"*"-- Depending on which preserving method you use, that one-inch of headspace is sort of variable. if you freeze them in the jars, you need that headspace, otherwise, I really reccomend reducing that to a 1/2-inch of headspace. Whichever way you choose, make sure the tomatoes and other ingredients are covered completely. Less air means a longer keep time-- and a safer long-storing product.
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Labels: Canning, Food Preservation, Gardening
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Chatterbox Audio Theater Of Memphis, TN...
Chatterbox Audio Theater is one of the finest art groups in Memphis... one of the few. They do live Radio Theater, and they are great. Right now, on my local NPR station, WKNO-FM, I am listening to their live performance of "Dead And Gone," a Southern re-telling of the James Joyce classic, set at the turn of the 20th Century Memphis. Well done!
Chatterbox Audio Theater was created in 2007 by four friends with a lot of creativity and ambition but very little money. Based in Memphis, TN, and conducted in spare rooms, basements, and other miscellaneous spaces, Chatterbox creates fully soundscaped audio works for free streaming or download. With rare exceptions, Chatterbox shows are recorded live, with manual sound effects and as little post-production editing as possible.
Great stuff. These folks are doing some wonderful Radio Theater, and I am a softy for good Radio Theater. Their production values are outstanding.
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Labels: Arts, Memphis, Radio Theater
Monday, July 20, 2009
I'm Having A "Morton Salt" Sort Of Month...
"When it rains, it pours."
I'm having a string of crises, and I'm barely half-way out, so bear with me.
Started with a seven-day cluster of seizures-- both Temporal Lobe, and Occipital Lobe types-- and I've learned to stay well away from the computer when the Temporal Lobes start acting up. I used up all but a few hours of Sick Leave, still not fully right in the head. Then the A/C unit on the Honda blew out, along with the oil pump... I was saving to get the timing belt/water pump, which are due to be replaced. (ching... ouch) The re-up for the insurance on the car and truck are due in August...
Another bill from BlueCross BS, for $300 for a Tegretol Level check, that I really needed to get done-- levels turned out good, but that fucking bill is going to haunt me. $300 for one vial of blood, and a single, simple test... amazing.
Meanwhile, at work: I'm set to move to a different position-- the same Events Marketing position that I was hired to do, but huuuuuge budget cuts are coming down squarely on the Events Marketing Division. We just got a new contract with or Ad Agency, and they are only now getting the plan together, under duress of constant and randomly-timed budget re-negotiations. It's all so chaotic, that they can't get a Statement Of Work together before the next Million-Dollar cut rolls through. So, my transfer back to what I should be doing is completely delayed, probably until October, perhaps later.
End of sad, sad story: my wallet is as thread-bare as my nervous system right now.
No, I'm not blegging, Just letting folks know I am alive, fiddlin' with frugality, laying low, and busy tending to my own, right now. I'll be just as soon as I actually have the time to focus. Others with the keys are ALWAYS welcome to post.
I said breakdowns come
And breakdowns go
So what are you going to do about it
Thats what Id like to know
--Paul Simon
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Labels: My Life As It Is
