FLOUR

Slice of Tomato Pie

     Tomato Pie.......hmmmmm.  This is definitely the time of year to enjoy such a savory treat with SO -  MANY -  DIFFERENT -  varieties of tomatoes now ripe and on nearly every farmer's table at the local markets.  I'm almost glad my husband would prefer a sweeter pie (hehe) but, ohhhhh, what he and maybe others are missing.
     It took a while for me to realize baking tomatoes in a crust was something I needed to do.  I, too, grew up leaning towards the sweet fillings that a crust could hold.  But it didn't take long when I realized that tomatoes, spices, and a "doctored up" mayonnaise filling baked together made this wonderful creation.
     I made a Tomato Pie in the last week.  I decided to stick with what I knew and used a traditional bottom crust.  Make your own or purchase one, it does not matter.  I saw a recipe recently where someone used puffed pastry for their crust.  A packaged crust that has been thawed and prebaked is fine to use as long as you are familiar with it.  I had a recipe to use for a guide, but I changed the cheese proportion and used the tomatoes I had on hand instead of trying to have a uniform look.  I sliced two that were regular size and for the rest I sliced pieces of the Juliet or Roma type tomato.  Tomato Pie is forgiving like that.
     In a nine inch pie pan I layered tomatoes, chopped fresh basil, garlic powder, salt and pepper.  And as in nearly all my cooking, I added some sliced red onion that had been lightly roasted.  Both my mom and sister always said everything needs a little onion. I like the sweeter taste of roasted onion here, instead of getting a partially cooked bite that would be sharp.  All of the seasonings should be to your taste.  Then I spread the filling over all and topped it off with a little feta cheese.
     Was mayonnaise a part of my filling you ask?  Actually I tried mixing about 3/4 cup Greek yogurt this time with about 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar and I was truly surprised at how good and creamy it was.  Don't get me wrong, I love mayonnaise, especially with its lemony punch.  However, it's good to try something different occasionally and Greek yogurt is lower in fat and cholesterol.  So in the first few bites I got the crust flavor, which was standard and bread-like.  Next were the sweet tomatoes, some varying in flavor.  Then came the pop of garlic, salt and pepper with the aromatic basil scent, as well as taste.  Lastly, the cheeses and yogurt served as the binder, and provided the creamy texture.  All the layers of flavor come together wonderfully in each bite.  Tomato Pie could be a lighter, but tasty addition to your summer meals.  It can easily be a side dish or the entree.  With so many tomatoes available, isn't it worth a try? 
    
    

& FLOWER

     The ant, the frog, and the rabbit.  Sounds like the title of a limerick, or maybe a funny joke.  Well, I am living with the ant, the frog, and the rabbit here in Southeast Missouri this summer... more than usual.  I realize that we humans must coexist with creatures.  I also know that these said creatures have their own agendas like staying alive, but must they love my surroundings so much?  Haha, I do admit I am part of the problem by me having and caring for several potted plants and then my perennials, shrubs and summer vegetables. 
     Let me begin with the ants. 

Tiny line of ants

They are everywhere in my yard.  I have seen them in every hole I have dug and every pot I have emptied, repotted, or planted.  I can position a sprinkler in a bed and witness a whole line of ants trailing low across the side of my house, apparently headed for a damp and moist promised land. (As in the photo at right.)  When I pick up a pot on my porch to sweep or move for better light, there are ants underneath scurrying around due to my disturbing them.  Usually this is when I find them rebuilding a new colony.  This summer has been one for using the grainy poison that sends them on their way once it is dampened.  Trails of these light brown granules can be seen lining my porch against the house because some ants have tried to enter our home uninvited.  Can you imagine??  (But that's another story.  So far I am fending them off with strong smelling soap bars, spray cleaner and vinegar.)  I have even put some of this grainy material in the potted plants the ants visit the most and it does make them vacate the premises!
     The frog or actually big, (excuse me, but I know no other adjectives that will do justice here) FAT toads have not been near the problem as the ants.

Toad in square pot

  They are, however, a nuisance when I am watering pot after pot and something leaps out of one at the most unexpected times, often on or near my foot or leg.  Makes me think of a mouse!  Yikes!!  An occurrence such as this one happening once or twice is like I said, a nuisance, but I have seen so many big, gray, toads lying in the tops of my pots, as in the square pot at left.  I finally learned to look for them BEFORE beginning to water.  They know what they are doing too because they lay flat and actually appear very similar in color to the potting soil surrounding them.  Color is a factor in keeping them safe.  The toads think they have it made.

     Lastly is the rabbit.  I love that rabbits believe they are safe in our yard.  Every year we have rabbits and that is fine.  This year we see three nearly every day.  And of course, I think of them as Daddy, Mama, and Baby.  I am not certain they live on our property, but as often as we seen them, it is possible.  I just wish they didn't love a couple of my plants so much.  I have not actually caught a rabbit chewing on a plant this year, but I have had this happen before and have either seen a rabbit on the porch or running from there.  
     Anyway, I have two pots of walking iris of which they cannot get enough!  One has two plants.  The other has 10.  The planter with 10 began to show signs of leaves being gnawed in late May and early June.  I was not happy with that, but I figured it being on our front porch with foot traffic and more noise did dissuade the rabbits from causing further damage.  But the pot with just two that was in the back yard, oh my goodness!  I first saw gnawed leaves and figured that was all they would be after too.  The next time I looked, ALL of the leaves and stems had been chewed down to the base and that had been gnawed as well!  Then the next time I looked at the pot on the porch, most of it had been eaten down to the root nubs too.  Cute little stinkers!  One, two, or all of them also found my parsley and had their way with that.  Now it is gone.  So, I have begun using plastic cutlery to make the rabbits rethink trying to eat my plants.  I stick either knives, forks, or spoons in the soil close together so they are standing upright all around the perimeter of my pots.  I used this idea when I planted my tomato plants in my garden and it worked.  So far it has helped with my potted plants.  At least the plants have begun to grow again! 

Plant leaves and roots gnawed