Grilled Eggplant with Tomato

Another idea for tomatoes, basil and mozzarella or other cheese. I don't really have a recipe for this but they are easy to make. Slice the eggplant in 1/4" slices. Salt them and let et for a bit, then press the moisture out of them. If you use a white or Japanese eggplant you could skip this step. Brush with olive oil...here would be a good time to use one of your flavored oils. Cook on the grill or a grill pan for 3-4 minutes per side until the texture is soft or the way you like it.

then sprinkle with a crumbled cheese...maybe a little goat cheese or feta, or maybe blue cheese...

...next a nice juicy tomato slice, a little sea salt a some seasoning....

..oops forgot the basil ... slide that fresh basil in there, or you could use spinach or another green instead or in addition to the basil... or pesto would be nice.

there, all set for the cheese on top...mozzarella or the Italian four cheese blend works well. I have a cast iron grill pan that I use stove-top and I can also put it in the oven.

After you top it with the cheese place the pan in the oven to finish cooking and the cheese is melted. If you do these on the grill just close the lid of the grill after you add the cheese to the top.

You can make these for appetizers or a nice lunch (we had them for dinner).

Mozzarella, Basil and Tomatoes

Okay I know all of you up north probably have their fair share of beautiful home grown tomatoes...and I am so jealous! I do miss my mom's grown tomatoes fresh from her garden. I have tried to grow them here in Florida with not much luck...so now I just get them at Yoder's where I know they get them local when they can...But I am able to get fresh mozzarella! Not that I made myself, but fresh none the less...

I can grow a little basil...I just keep replanting when it goes to seed...So a wonderful thing to make with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil is Caprese salad. Thick slices of tomatoes and mozzarella, with some of those basil leaves tucked in between...topped with a drizzle of balsamic (make a reduction for a special treat) and extra virgin olive oil...and a sprinkle of finishing salt (I discovered many finishing salts thanks to Jaden from The Steamy Kitchen), she told me where to go in Sarasota to get the best!

Or make some pizza!
Margherita Pizza is a pizza classic. This style of pizza was originally made for Queen Margherita, the Queen of Italy by a man named Esposito in Naples in 1889. Italy, Queen Margherita.

Simple ingredients make for a wonderful tasting pizza, it always helps to make sure you have the best, fresh ingredients.
I make a quick pizza dough in the dough cycle of my bread machine...

Spread on some fresh tomato sauce or your favorite pizza sauce. Sprinkle some fresh grated Parmesan, slices of fresh mozzarella, fresh basil leaves from your garden, and slices of your beautiful (wish I had) homegrown tomatoes! Drizzle with a little good olive oil and fresh garlic ....

...bake in a hot oven 425 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes until the crust is golden to perfection and the cheese bubbly!

Need I say more?!