Today I felt a little fall in the air, just a little. The weather was cooler, relatively, we attended a Navy football game, winning game I should say, and the tops of the trees in the neighborhood are turning red and orange. I love fall. I feel like I can exhale as I look forward to the next month or two. Apple picking, Halloween, crunchy leaves, pumpkins, mums..so much color and beauty. Is it the ending of something or the beginnings of something? I don’t know but both options signal change and transformation. Everyone needs a transformation every now and again, so embrace it. Enjoy some early fall in my home!
Some fall in the sitting roomGorgeous fall quilt from feedback material. Pumpkins lead you up the staircaseHappy fall owls and pillows. Excited for a Navy win!
Honestly, I never heard about tomato pie until I lived in the south. Even then, for some reason, it just held no appeal for me…oh boy,was I blind. Finally, after several “suggestions” from Pinterest, I decided to give it a go. Pleasant surprise…despite the simplistic nature of the ingredients, it truly tasted…well, just like a fresh late summer day. Let me give you the recipe!
The usual cast of characters…although I have experimented with some guest ingredients like bacon and corn…
Blind baked pie shell. I typically have several homemade pie crusts in the freezer, but store bought is fine…no judgment
1/2 to 1 cup fresh chopped basil, extra points if you grow your own
5-6 freshly chopped tomatoes with the juice squeezed out….I save and freeze the juice to use in stocks and broths
1/2 cup mayonnaise…I use full fat, I assume reduced fat would work, if you try it let me know.
2 cups chopped and shredded cheese…I use whatever I have on hand, for this pie I used cubed mozzarella and shredded cheddar.
A few dashes of hot sauce and a sprinkling of sea salt
Easy peasy steps
Placed juiced tomatoes in blind baked crust
Sprinkle chopped basil and sea salt on juiced tomatoes
Mix mayonnaise, cheese and hot sauce together until it is the consistency of a “slushy snowball” and spread on chopped basil…gently spread!
Bake 30-40 minutes in a 350 degree oven…I don’t cover it.
Remove, cool and enjoy!
Of course, a beautiful Fall afternoon in downtown Annapolis is pretty nice as well.
A Day of Small Things... 