Look at what my son just picked from our garden…

our first fresh garden tomato of the season! Now, I know some of you reading are not huge tomato fans and I “get that.” Well, I get not liking tomatoes bought from Wal-mart or some other such grocery store, especially during the winter months when their color isn’t even really in the red family anymore.  But, I am entirely confused about anyone not liking tomatoes that are fresh from the vine, grown in your backyard garden and picked by your own hands. They are nothing like their counterpart.  They are literally on a different playing field. Yum! Growing up we used to slice them and sprinkle a little salt on them.  This was a favorite summer “snack” in our family.  If you love tomatoes as much as I do (and perhaps even if you don’t) I have the perfect side dish for you:

Marinated Tomatoes Recipe

Ingredients:

• 6 large tomatoes, sliced
• 1/4 c. green onions
• 1/2 t. dried thyme
• 1 garlic clove (or if you’re a garlic lover like me, 2-3 cloves:))
• 1/4 c. minced parsley
• 1 t. salt
• 1/4 t. fresh cracked black pepper
• 1/4 c. red wine vinegar
• 1/3 c. vegetable oil

Directions:

Combine and whisk all ingredients except the tomatoes.  Next, add the sliced tomatoes and let them “marinate” in the dressing for about 20 minutes.  If you don’t have time to let them sit, it’s fine. They still taste delicious!  The time in the marinade just allows the tomatoes to soak up more of the flavor. I’ve found that if you whip up this recipe and then let it sit in the fridge while you grill your meat, the tomatoes have just about the perfect amount of time to soak up all the yummy flavors of the marinade. Add a starch like some bread or potato and you have yourself a meal. This is such a great side dish to any summer meal. Enjoy!