Chocolate and peanut butter, chocolate and bananas, chocolate and mint, hell--chocolate and anything--make great food pairings. A particular trio has been haunting my summer cooking, and I decided it was time to write about it: the love triangle of tomatoes, cheese, and basil.
Baked Parmesan Tomatoes
(forgive the quality; I do not own a real camera)
My number one favorite dish that accommodates all three ingredients is the typical Caprese salad. I prefer to dice my ingredients rather than set them in slivers as the Italians do. The more balsamic vinegar, the better. It isn't right until each bite produces a wince. Other options for this trio are pasta sauce, bruschetta, and baked parmesan tomatoes as pictured above.
Ingredients:
(serves 4)
4 tomatoes, sliced
however much grated parmesan you like
salt and pepper
fresh basil (I also sprinkled on dry basil--either works)
olive oil
Preheat oven to 450. Place the tomatoes on a baking tray, cover them with all the ingredients, pour a bit of olive oil on top, and put them in for about 15 minutes. It's great as a side dish, but as I currently live alone and thus engage in somewhat odd eating habits, it makes a pretty damn good dinner altogether.
My evening's contribution to the "5 minutes or less" side dish – peel and grate 3 raw beets, two raw carrots, toss with salt, pepper, balsamic and olive oil. Although I guess the hidden requirement to meet the time category is my food processor...
ReplyDeleteThis just seems like it isn't complete without being on a cracker or toast. moew.
ReplyDelete