This Mornings Pickings

This is from just two of our tomato plants this morning. Happily most of the other bushes are plum tomatoes which will be made into sauce.

On the menu tonight....

Tomatoes Provencale

This recipe is particularly good in late summer, when the large beefsteak tomatoes are ripe and very fleshy. The tomatoes can be partially cooked ahead of time, so it takes only five minutes to complete the dish just before serving—and they are precooked and then finished in a gratin dish that can go directly from the oven to the table.

2 pounds ripe fleshy tomatoes (about 4)

3 tablespoons virgin olive oil

1 1/2 slices bread

2 cloves garlic, peeled

1/2 cup loosely packed parsley leaves

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cut the tomatoes in half parallel to the stem, and arrange them in a gratin dish that is attractive enough to bring to the table. Oil the tops of the tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, and place them under a preheated broiler, about 4 inches from the heat. Broil for 6 to 8 minutes.

The tomatoes should be firm but tender when pierced gently with the point of a knife, and look slightly crusty and lightly brown on top.

Prepare the bread crumb mixture:

Place the bread in the bowl of a food processor and pulse for about 10 seconds, until the bread is crumbed (you should have about 2/3 cup) .

Add the garlic, parsley, and thyme, and process for another 10 seconds, until the mixture is combined. Transfer it to a bowl, add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the pepper and salt, and toss gently. Spoon evenly over the tomatoes.

Just before serving, place the tomatoes under a preheated broiler, about 8 inches from the heat, and broil for 5 to 6 minutes, until they are heated through and brown on top.

Serve immediately.

Just before these were done, I added a mix of Italian cheeses and broiled until the cheese had melted and browned a bit. I cheated and used Italian seasoned bread crumbs before sprinkling on the cheese

4 SERVINGS