Tomato Basil Squares

I recently made this recipe after a 10 year hiatus. I can't remember why since it is so fantastic and delicious!! It was originally a Pampered Chef recipe that I made my own with a few tweaks. Hope you enjoy as tomato season is nearly upon us!

TOMATO BASIL SQUARES

1 batch your favorite pizza crust (my recipe is below)
2 cups shredded fresh mozzarella cheese (I used Four Corners Creamery, it takes 1 1/2 mozzarella balls)
¼ cup Parmigianno-Reggiano cheese, grated
2/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp snipped fresh basil leaves
1 garlic clove, minced
4 fresh tomatoes, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 425°F
Roll out pizza crust on to flat baking sheet to 1 inch of edge. Bake 18-22 minutes until golden brown.
Top crust with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese; let stand 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Combine Parm cheese, remaining mozzarella cheese, mayonnaise, basil and minced garlic and
mix well.
Slice tomatoes and arrange evenly over crust. Scoop cheese mixture over tomatoes; spread evenly. Bake 10 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted. Let cool 10 minutes and slice into squares.

(FYI I'm going to try making this with smoked fresh mozzarella next time...hence the photo!)

Pizza Crust
1 cup hot tap water
1 Tablespoon INSTANT yeast (adjust accordingly for active dry)
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2-3 cups flour

Throw all of the ingredients together into your mixer with a dough hook attached and mix until dough is smooth and shiny. Let rise 15 minutes and roll out.

Pesto making commences...

I think it was the 3 liters of Extra Virgin Olive Oil that tipped them off!

All of a sudden John brought home a baguette, Jamie was discussing homemade pasta.....

Pesto season has officially started for the week!

I had planted 5 basil plants in my garden this year.  The lack of rain did stunt their growth a bit, but I think it intensified the flavor!

I gathered all of the essentials; Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, pine nuts, EVOO, garlic and washed/dried basil leaves.

I never use a real recipe, I just chuck it all into the blender and let 'er rip.  Taste, adjust, taste, pour into some sterilized  jars or plastic containers and pop in the freezer!

Last year when pine nuts were in the ballpark of $40 per pound, I used walnuts instead and it was fantastic, so don't feel too obligated to use pine nuts if you don't have them.

One whole basil plant is simply for slicing the leaves thinly and covering with olive oil to protect it from the air and going into the freezer.  I love to use that all winter as well for garnishes and cooking.  As long as the leaves are fully covered with the oil, they will stay bright green and quite fresh, even right out of the freezer.  I also use the "basil" oil for salad dressings and drizzling!

"Harvest" is such a meaningful word today!   

A whole lotta pork!

Just the two of us last night for supper...Jamie and I! We enjoy a little something different when John isn't home. Jamie and I eat, talk and laugh together, enjoy a new recipe and limit distractions. We find out something new about the other, find a different perspective, share secrets and what we are reading, share dreams and fears. Daughters are really something special!

We decided on pork tenderloin wrapped with basil and guanciale a pork cheek bacon that has been rubbed with black and red pepper and cured for 3 weeks. Guanciale has a stronger pork flavor, but a more delicate texture than traditional bacon.

I chose a tenderloin that was about 1 1/2 lbs. (perfect for 3 people) so I didn't have too much leftover and it cooks quickly to avoid blackened bacon. You could put this in the oven, but I grilled mine. A side of rice pilaf with olive oil and a green salad with goat cheese rounded out the meal!

1 1/2 lb pork Tenderloin {remove silver tendon}
25 Fresh Basil Leaves
6 pieces Guanciale
Salt & Freshly Ground Pepper

Preheat grill to high.

Salt and pepper tenderloin on all sides and cover with basil leaves. I covered half with basil leaves then strips of guanciale, then flipped it over, covered the remaining half and wrapped the guanciale tightly.

I put the tenderloin on the hot grill with the guanciale ends on the grill first so it would sear the bacon and have it hold together when I flipped it over. It WORKED! I then turned heat to medium on grill and cooked about 9 minutes per side until nearly well done. I love pork juicy, so be careful not to overcook! The bacon was perfect too! Enjoy...