What Says Summer Better Than Tomatoes (and a giveaway)?

As an unknown blogger there are a few things that make me happy.  

1. People leaving comments on my posts
2. The idea that companies will send me things to try.

Well, number 1 has happened a handful of times.  And a few weeks ago number 2 happened!  I got an email from Christi at Red Gold Tomatoes.  She sent 6 different varieties of tomatoes, a couple cool tomato aprons, and a bottle of jalapeno ketchup for me and the family to try.  

All the yummy samples Red Gold sent me

Red Gold has been around since 1942.  They have focused on growing local in the Midwest, where true seasons positively impact the flavor of tomatoes. The Midwest, while it's cold in the winter, has the perfect growing season for tomatoes, perfect angle of the sun, perfect temps -- and even the winter is good for tomatoes, as it breaks up the soil for tiny root systems.

Links to Red Gold's webpage and Facebook are located at the end of the post.  Plus, Red Gold is running a contest until August 23rd.  Go to their Facebook page and register to win a Big Green Egg and a bunch of other prizes!


Not only do these tomatoes taste great there are also some added benefits of using canned tomatoes. Canned tomatoes have more lycopene than fresh tomatoes.  The cooking process causes more lycopene to be released and makes it easier for our bodies to use.  What is lycopene?  Lycopene is an antioxidant.  It reduces our cancer and cardiovascular disease risk. 



Since my parents were in town I decided to make burgers.  Plus, tomatoes are an essential part of summer. Everyone loves burgers and they went wild over these. Moist and juicy, filled with flavor, simple yet awesome. 

Tomato Burgers
Serves 4

Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 can Red Gold Tomatoes, drained
1 egg
1/4 cup breadcrumbs

Directions

1. In a bowl combine all the ingredients
2. Form into patties
3. Grill until done

The second recipe I did with the tomatoes is what I call Triple S Salsa {the first two S's are for Super Simple}  I served this with some homemade tortilla chips.  Then we realized that it would be great warm so, I mixed it in with some rice.  Voila!  A second meal to make with your leftovers!!  Double duty foods, I love them.

Triple S Salsa
Serves 8
Calories:  82
Fat:  0.6g
Carbs:  18.1g
Protein:  4.2g

Ingredients
1 can Red Gold Tomatoes with Lime and Cilantro
1.25 cup corn kernels
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 onion, diced


Instructions

1. Mix ingredients together
2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour so the flavors can deepen
3. Serve with tortilla chips

And what's a better way to start a weekend but with a giveaway???  The Red Gold has generously given me a gift pack to give away to one lucky reader!  The gift pack will include a sample of Red Pack goodies (ketchup, Red Gold w/Green Chilies, Red Gold Lime Juice & Cilantro), as well as coupons and recipes for a Spicy Tomato Burger and Caribbean Chicken Burger.  

 Enter using the form below between now and September 1st.  




Links
Red Gold Website
Red Gold on Facebook 

National Homemade Soup Day

February 4th is National Homemade Soup Day.  Food holidays always make me laugh.  How do they decided on these things??

But, I celebrated early by making soup tonite.  I made grilled cheese and tomato soup.  The kids got the canned stuff.  I personally think the canned soup is yucky so I made myself some roasted tomato soup to go with my grilled cheese.  

Side note:  Spreading a thin layer of pureed pumpkin on your grilled cheese is actually really good.  It adds a nutty quality.  I was pleasantly surprised. 

This soup though is simple with 4 ingredients.  It's nice, thick, and creamy.  

Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup
3 ripe tomatoes, halved
3-4 whole garlic cloves
1 onion, quartered
1/2-1 cup vegetable broth

Directions

1. Heat oven to 450 degrees
2. Spray a baking sheet with pan spray.  Put the onions, garlic, and tomatoes on the baking sheet then spray the vegetables with the spray.
3. Roast in the oven for 20-30 minutes until soft and slightly browned flipping halfway through
4. Put the water and vegetables in a pot and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until slightly reduced.
5. Using either an immersion blender, blender, or food processor, puree the soup until smooth (be careful since it's hot)
6. Pour it back in the pot and reheat if necessary.

With a nice drizzle of jalapeno hot sauce

Perfect combo.  Tomato soup and grilled cheese with mushrooms and pumpkin

On another happy note, this past week I've received Facebook messages from 2 of my friends asking for nutrition and exercise advice.  This shows me that people are finally starting to notice my hard work.  

Please, by all means, tell your family, your friends, your coworkers, anyone you know, about me!  I love giving advice and letting you in on my secrets and tricks. 

What's your favorite homemade soup?  Do you add interesting things to your grilled cheese?