Shenandoah Valley Easy Peach and Tomato Salad Recipe

 

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.

My sister, after living and working in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC and Boston, now lives in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in Virginia where she discovered this recipe at an amazing farmer’s market 10 minutes from her house (also nearby are 2 wineries and a lavender farm.) Every Tuesday and Saturday the market is jammed with local farmers who offer amazing vegetables, fruits, meat, honey, bread, eggs, and cheeses. All of the items are farm to table and the “ Buy Fresh – Buy Local ” movement is very big there.

Buy Fresh, Buy Local produce in the Shenandoah Valley.

” Buy Fresh, Buy Local ” produce in the Shenandoah Valley Farmer’s Market in Virginia.

 

She is loving living in the “country” now close to where the food grows. This recipe was featured as part of the market’s yearly tomato contest and is an unexpected pairing of two of summer’s greatest bounties – peaches and tomatoes. She has brought this very easy and fresh salad (perfect for the last days of summer which I am holding onto kicking and screaming like a child who doesn’t want to leave the park) to several dinner parties and everyone always asks for the recipe. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Beautiful Farmer's Market tomatoes make any easy salad gorgeous.

Beautiful Farmer’s Market tomatoes make any easy salad gorgeous.

Ingredients:

 

  • 4 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup of diced red onions
  • 4 slightly ripe (not mushy) peaches
  • 4 medium vine ripe tomatoes – you can also use cherry tomatoes (2 cups) cut in half if you have those handy
  • ½ cup of fresh basil (don’t use dry – it doesn’t taste the same)
  • ½ cup of fresh plain crumbled feta cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

 

 

Put 4 tablespoons of red wine vinegar in a large bowl. Add the 1/3 cup of diced red onions to the vinegar and let sit for 20 minutes Cut the tomatoes into bite sized (1 inch pieces) and add to the bowl. Cut the peaches in half. Take out the pit and peel with potato peeler or knife (I leave the skin on – it’s easier ). Cut into slices (1/4 inch or so) and put them into the bowl. Cut up basil into ribbons and add to the bowl. Add the feta cheese to the mixture. Add ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Blend gently so that the vinegar and onions are mixed in to the salad. Don’t overstir since you don’t want the peaches and the tomatoes to get mushy. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until served. If you are taking it to a picnic, pack the cheese and lettuce separately and mix with the peach mixture before serving. Serves 4-5. 

World’s Easiest Tomato Soup

My next door neighbor grows organic produce in a green house next door. Seeds from one of his plants must have made it over to my side of the fence because a tomato plant appeared on the side of my house growing next to the electrical meter.

 

My wild tomato plant!

My wild tomato plant!

It was so interesting to me because I never planted it, never watered it, it’s not an area where there’s even a lot of dirt – and yet, it persisted. I let it go to see how large it would get. I ended up with more Cherry Tomatoes than I knew what to do with. Life is full of wonderful surprises!

 

 

 

Wild Urban Tomatoes

Wild Urban Tomatoes

So, what to do with all of these Cherry Tomatoes? Even though it’s Summer here at the beach, it rained quite a bit this month of August. It actually poured a few nights with thunder and dangerous lightening. So soup works – even in the Summer. This recipe is so easy.

 

  • Tomatoes (Cherry or other cut in 1/2 or 1/4s)
  • Filtered water (cover the tomatoes)
  • 1 Clove Garlic
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

 

When life gives you tomatoes...

When life gives you tomatoes…

Put all ingredients in a pot and cover with water.

 

Simmer for several hours adding more water as needed.

 

Add fresh basil if you’d like after cooking. Or, you can also add a pinch of dried Oregano. Some people add bread to thicken the soup. But you can add nothing at all. 

 

I love my little "handblender".

I love my little “handblender”.

Blend to smooth.

 

If your tomatoes have many seeds as mine did, you will need to strain after blending. 

 

My daughter likes me to stir in a little cream or half and half to give the soup a little creamy flavor. 

 

Put in bowls and enjoy! Or, if you’re throwing a party, soup in shot glasses is a great appetizer option when carried around on trays and passed out to your guests. 

 

Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil Skewers with Balsamic Vinegar

These really do not even need a recipe. Skewering any interesting mix of ingredients on toothpicks is one of my favorite things to do when entertaining because it’s just so simple to do. And with Cherry Tomatoes coming into season now, this recipe is a great way to use them up, especially if you grow your own. These are also great for picnics like summer Concert in the Park series. 

 

Tomato, Basil, and Cheese Skewers are beyond easy to make.

Tomato, Basil, and Cheese Skewers are beyond easy to make.

  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Chunks of Mozzarella or Small Mozzarella Balls
  • Whole Basil Leaves
  • Balsamic Vinegar 

 

Skewer each ingredients on a toothpick and drizzle with Balsamic Vinegar before serving. So easy!

easy picnic recipe fresh simple vegetarian gluten free appetizer party