Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Tomato Soup (for canning)

Tomato Soup


10-12# Roma tomatoes
10-12 stalks celery
1# carrots
8 onions
2 cloves garlic
1 quart stock (such as chicken)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup salt
1 cup butter
1 cup flour

Cut the celery, carrots, garlic and onions into large chunks and place in a deep stock pot.  Add the chicken stock and slowly bring the mixture up to a low boil.  Cut tomatoes into quarters and add to the pot, stirring periodically to avoid scorching. Cook at a very low boil for several hours or overnight.

Run the soup through a foley food mill and place into a clean stock pot.  Return to heat and add sugar and salt.

Cream together the flour and butter in a mixer.  Add a ladle of the soup at a time to the creamed mixture until it is thin enough to add to the soup.  Stir in the creamed mixture with a wire wisk to prevent clumping.

Ladle soup into hot jars.  Cap the jars and process in a pressure canner for 20 minutes at 10#

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

The Best Pasta Salad. Ever.

The Best Pasta Salad.  Ever.

1 pound spiral pasta
1 jar (14 oz) roasted red peppers, minced
1 pound feta cheese, crumbled
3/4 cup kalamata olives, chopped
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted

For the dressing:
1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/3 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1/2 tsp oregano
1 teaspoon Basil
1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh mint
1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper

Cook the pasta just until done.  Do not overcook.  Drain and rinse with cold water.  Add cold pasta to a large mixing bowl and add peppers, olives, and cheese.
Mix dressing and pour over the pasta mix, gently stirring.

Chill at least 4 hours, better overnight.