Wednesday, July 23, 2008

I've been tagged!

I just remembered. I was tagged a while back by the lovely Raquel at http://kitchenmysteries.blogspot.com Sorry it’s taken me so long to get around to this.

Six random things about me:
  1. I am as blind as a bat without my specs. I have been short-sighted since the age of seven, but in recent years I have had to start wearing specs with transition lenses, as I can no longer see to read. One of these days I’ll go to the opticians and he’ll hand me a white stick and a guide-dog.
  2. I love reading and writing. In May this year I won first place in the Oklahoma Writer’s Federation annual writing contest with an outline for a non-fiction book. I also got a third place for an inspirational article entitled, You’re Looking Fine, Oklahoma, and an honorable mention for a young adult short story entitled, Play it again, Sam. I am also a regular contributor to Oklahoma Living Magazine.
  3. I seldom make desserts, cakes or cookies, as I am fat enough without all that sugar.
  4. Although I can bake, I can’t make pastry to save my life. Whenever I’ve attempted it in the past, I can never get it off the counter and into the pie dish without it falling to pieces and ending up looking like a patchwork quilt. My mother always made great pastry, and she told me I was too heavy-handed with it. That has never changed, thank goodness for Pillsbury pie crusts I say.
  5. I have eaten bananas all my life, but last year, for some obscure reason, I developed an allergy to them.
  6. Many people think that because I’m a British broad over here that I must be married to an American. Not so! Mick is from the county of Yorkshire, and I am a Lancashire lass, though sadly a lass no more. The War of the Roses continues to rage in our house. Well, occasionally.

I’m not going to tag anyone else, but if you want to play along feel free to do so.



More homegrown produce

Pizza Tomatoes

This side dish makes a great accompaniment to grilled sausages or bratwurst, and it uses up some more of those homegrown tomatoes.






Ingredients:

2-3 large tomatoes, thickly sliced.
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
A handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped
Fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Direction:
  • Pre-heat BBQ grill to low.
  • Take a large piece of heavy duty foil and turn the sides up to make a sort of baking tray, brush lightly with oil, and layer tomatoes.
  • Top tomatoes with basil, black pepper, mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
  • Grill on BBQ for 20-30 minutes, until tomatoes are heated through and cheese melts.

12 comments:

Beth (jamandcream) said...

I assumed Mick was American!! These Pizza Toms look great. Going to Tavistock Farmers Market on Saturday where a local farm sells these wonderful pork and leek sausages. Will have to give these a try when I grill them!!

amycaseycooks said...

Oh I am so making these for dinner tonight. Don't you just love when you have all the ingredients for a new dish on hand?!

Pam said...

Oh Jan my mouth is watering. I love, love, love this recipe! Nicely done!

Raquel said...

My new favorite way to have tomatoes! Ours have slowed up a bit, except for the Romas. We survived the green worm attack, I think the birds may have gotten some. Thanks for participating in the tag!

Jennifer said...

Jan, I love those tomatoes, my husband is a pizza fiend and he will love them. I like tags like that so we can get to know each other better. I also assumed you were married to an American!

Pam said...

Those pizza tomatoes look great and easy to do. Must remember that trick! And you'll have to post one day about how ya'll ended up in Oklahoma of all places from the north of England! We have relatives in Yorkshire and it is about my favorite place in England. But can't say I've been to Lancashire, unless Liverpool is Lancashire. I've been there!

test it comm said...

Those tomatoes covered in cheese look really good!

Paula said...

I love that you made this on the grill! My kitchen heats up really easily, which is great in the winter, but not so wonderful in the summer!

Congratulations on earning first place, third place, and an honorable mention in your writing! You've been busy! How wonderful to have your work recognized like that.

Jennifer said...

LOL she isnt really a baby, she is 6, but she is my baby, we don't have kids, she is it :)

Emily said...

I'm so sorry about your banana allergy! That's terrible.

But congrats on your award! That is so cool that you write. I need your help.

Chibog in Chief said...

i always enjoy reading tags and meme it makes me feel closer to the blogger behind!!

btw, first time i heard of banana allergy

and your tomato pizzas sounds delectable!

Jan said...

Beth, thanks, I hope you enjoy them. Those pork and leek sausages sound wonderul. British bangers are just the best.

Eat, thank you. I hope you and your family enjoyed them.

Pam, thank you so much.

Raquel, thanks. We are still inundated with toms, this has been our best year ever. Glad you got rid of those green worms, nasty little critters. We lost all our squash plants to vine borers this year. And, you're welcome, re the tag.

Cheryl, thanks. If your hubby is a pizza fan I think he will like these.

Pam, thanks. Everyone is always curious how a pair of Brits ended up in NE Oklahoma. It's a long story, and not very interesting IMHO, but I'll post about it on my blog at Grand Lake Ink sometime.

I think Yorkshire is a lovely county, but don't tell Mick I said so. Liverpool may have been part of Lancashire at one time, I'm not sure, but it is now in Merseyside.

Kevin, thank you for stopping by, and for your kind comment.

Paula, my kitchen is baking hot in summer and freezing in winter, that's why we do most of our cooking outdoors at this time of year. Thanks for your kind comments about my writing.

Cheryl, I have no kids either, though I do have a step daughter, whom I love dearly. But just like your lovely dog, my 3 cats are my kids.

Em, yes, the banana thing was weird. Thanks for the congrats, if I can help you I will. I'll e-mail you about it.

Dhanggit, merci beaucoup, vous etes tres gentile, please excuse the missing accents.

I did read up about banana allergies on the web, apparently they are not that rare. But it is unusual to develop one after eating bananas all your life without ill effects. Mais alors, c'est la vie.