fabulous photos by sara farrar!
Time For Tomatoes
This month take tomatoes out of the garden and to the centerpiece of your table. To create an interesting table use a great bowl, basket or pedestal to hold heirloom tomatoes. These varieties of tomatoes come in unique colors and shapes and will have guests talking. Heirloom tomatoes are grown locally and available from Kurlbaum Heirloom Tomatoes, Bryson’s Farm Fresh Produce and Bad Seed Farm or at the many local farmers’ markets. This hand carved wood bowl used here worked perfectly to show off the luscious features of the tomatoes. Find a similar bowl at West Elm on-line or coming soon to the shops at 119th.
Keep the rest of the table design simple. Add a single variety of flowers in mason jars. Here I used organic sunflowers from whole foods markets. No other flower represents summers in Kansas like the sunflower! They stand up to the heat at outdoor gatherings and add to the straight from the garden theme of the table.
Add a little pattern to the table with an easy sewing project-reversible placemats. There are so many wonderful fabrics to choose from at local shops Urban Arts and Crafts and Harper’s Fabrics that you might want to make several versions of these! To make each placemat cut two 14” x 19” rectangles from fun coordinating fabrics, pin together with right sides out and sew together using a straight stitch around the perimeter leaving an inch border. Trim the edges with pinking shears for a finished look. These can be washed as necessary. Here I used a modern floral in red and white which reverses to a polka dot. Both fabrics are from Amy Butler’s collection. Heavy sheets of patterned paper can be used instead of fabric and tossed after use or for a no-sew placemat head to Pryde’s for a selection of vibrant oilcloth. For this version just cut a
14” x 19” rectangle with pinking shears and you’re finished!
Of course since the tomatoes are the highlight of the table serve your favorite tomato inspired dishes. If you are serving brunch I’ve included a scrumptious tomato and spinach egg casserole. A spicy bloody mary would be a great compliment to this dish. For a light lunch with a great presentation I love simple tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella stacks drizzled with balsamic vinegar, oil and fresh cracked pepper and sea salt. Stuffed tomatoes are another great make ahead option. Whatever the occasion celebrate with fresh from the garden tomatoes before we are back inside reminiscing about the flavorful splendor of summer!
Brooke’s Tomato & Spinach Egg Florentine
This month take tomatoes out of the garden and to the centerpiece of your table. To create an interesting table use a great bowl, basket or pedestal to hold heirloom tomatoes. These varieties of tomatoes come in unique colors and shapes and will have guests talking. Heirloom tomatoes are grown locally and available from Kurlbaum Heirloom Tomatoes, Bryson’s Farm Fresh Produce and Bad Seed Farm or at the many local farmers’ markets. This hand carved wood bowl used here worked perfectly to show off the luscious features of the tomatoes. Find a similar bowl at West Elm on-line or coming soon to the shops at 119th.
Keep the rest of the table design simple. Add a single variety of flowers in mason jars. Here I used organic sunflowers from whole foods markets. No other flower represents summers in Kansas like the sunflower! They stand up to the heat at outdoor gatherings and add to the straight from the garden theme of the table.
Add a little pattern to the table with an easy sewing project-reversible placemats. There are so many wonderful fabrics to choose from at local shops Urban Arts and Crafts and Harper’s Fabrics that you might want to make several versions of these! To make each placemat cut two 14” x 19” rectangles from fun coordinating fabrics, pin together with right sides out and sew together using a straight stitch around the perimeter leaving an inch border. Trim the edges with pinking shears for a finished look. These can be washed as necessary. Here I used a modern floral in red and white which reverses to a polka dot. Both fabrics are from Amy Butler’s collection. Heavy sheets of patterned paper can be used instead of fabric and tossed after use or for a no-sew placemat head to Pryde’s for a selection of vibrant oilcloth. For this version just cut a
14” x 19” rectangle with pinking shears and you’re finished!
Of course since the tomatoes are the highlight of the table serve your favorite tomato inspired dishes. If you are serving brunch I’ve included a scrumptious tomato and spinach egg casserole. A spicy bloody mary would be a great compliment to this dish. For a light lunch with a great presentation I love simple tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella stacks drizzled with balsamic vinegar, oil and fresh cracked pepper and sea salt. Stuffed tomatoes are another great make ahead option. Whatever the occasion celebrate with fresh from the garden tomatoes before we are back inside reminiscing about the flavorful splendor of summer!
Brooke’s Tomato & Spinach Egg Florentine
1 pkg (10 oz.) frozen spinach (thawed)
1-2 tomatoes depending on size (thinly sliced)6 eggs beaten1/2 lb. cheddar cheese3 T flour32 oz. small curd cottage cheese1/2 cup softened butterCombine all ingredients except for tomatoes
Mix well. Pour into 9"x13" pan.
Place a layer of the tomatoes on topbake 350 degrees 1 hour
Find Them Here:
Heirloom Tomatoes
Kurlbaum Heirloom Tomatoes
http://www.kurlbaumtomatoes.com/
sold at local Hen House Markets
Bad Seed Farm
1909 McGee
KCMO
http://www.badseedfarm.com/
Bryson’s Farm Fresh Produce
23832 Hwy 139
Hale, MO
660.565.2777
Fun Fabrics & Paper
Urban Arts & Crafts
Briarcliff Village
4157 North Mulberry Dr.
KCMO
http://www.urbanartsandcrafts.com/
Fabrics
Harper’s
7918 Santa Fe Dr.Overland Park, KS 66204
http://www.harpersfabricandquilt.com/
Pryde’s
115 Westport Road
KCMO
http://www.prydeskitchen.com/
1-2 tomatoes depending on size (thinly sliced)6 eggs beaten1/2 lb. cheddar cheese3 T flour32 oz. small curd cottage cheese1/2 cup softened butterCombine all ingredients except for tomatoes
Mix well. Pour into 9"x13" pan.
Place a layer of the tomatoes on topbake 350 degrees 1 hour
Find Them Here:
Heirloom Tomatoes
Kurlbaum Heirloom Tomatoes
http://www.kurlbaumtomatoes.com/
sold at local Hen House Markets
Bad Seed Farm
1909 McGee
KCMO
http://www.badseedfarm.com/
Bryson’s Farm Fresh Produce
23832 Hwy 139
Hale, MO
660.565.2777
Fun Fabrics & Paper
Urban Arts & Crafts
Briarcliff Village
4157 North Mulberry Dr.
KCMO
http://www.urbanartsandcrafts.com/
Fabrics
Harper’s
7918 Santa Fe Dr.Overland Park, KS 66204
http://www.harpersfabricandquilt.com/
Pryde’s
115 Westport Road
KCMO
http://www.prydeskitchen.com/
