Tag Archives: cherry tomatoes

Green Bean and Tomato Salad

Posted on by
Reply

 

Green Bean & Tomato Salad

I found this recipe on Smitten Kitchen’s website, and with both beans and tomatoes at the market it was a quick and easy side dish – loved it!

Serves 6

1 pound green beans, though if you can find a mix of green and yellow beans, it will be all the prettier
1 pound cherry tomatoes
1 large shallot
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Basil or other herb (optional)

Prepare the vegetables: Top and tail the beans and cut them into large segments. Parboil the beans in salted water until just tender, about four to five minutes. Drain and immediately spread them out to cool. Stem the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half.

Make the vinaigrette: Peel and mince the shallot and put it in a bowl with the vinegar and salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil. Taste and adjust the balance with more vinegar, oil, or salt, as needed. Toss the cherry tomatoes in with the vinaigrette; this can sit for a while. Do not add the green beans until just before serving or they will discolor from the acid in the vinaigrette. For variety, the salad can be garnished with basil or some other fresh herb such as parsley, chervil or hyssop.

Do ahead: Beans and vegetables can be prepared ahead of time. Simply toss with the dressing only at the last minute, as it can discolor the green beans after several hours.

Roasted Pork Shoulder and Cherry Tomatoes

Posted on by
Reply

Image

This spice rub may taste strong initially but once it has roasted on the pork, you will have a hard time getting it carved with all the fingers trying to grab pieces of the crusted edges!  A great way to serve pork to a crowd – so tender and juicy.

1 tbsp plus 1 tsp coriander seeds

2 tsp fennel seeds

2 tsp whole black peppercorns

1/2 star anise pod

4 garlic cloves, crushed, plus 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic

1 tbsp kosher salt

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

One 4-5 pound boneless pork shoulder roast

2 cups dry red wine (make sure it is good wine – good enough to drink!)

2 pints cherry tomatoes or small late-season tomatoes, halved

1 teaspoon finely chopped lemon zest

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon chopped flat-leaf parsley

2 tbsp bread crumbs, lightly toasted

In a spice grinder, grind the coriander, fennel, peppercorns and star anise to a fine powder. Transfer the spices to a bowl and stir in the crushed garlic, salt and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder roast, wrap it in plastic and refrigerate overnight.

Unwrap the pork and let it return to room temperature before proceeding.

Preheat the oven to 300°. Set the pork shoulder on a rack in a medium roasting pan. Pour the wine into the pan and roast the meat for about 4 hours, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 180°.

Transfer the pork to a carving board, cover loosely with foil and let rest for about 15 minutes. Turn oven up to 375

While the pork rests, toss the cherry tomatoes with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and spread them out on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast for about 20-30 minutes, just until soft.

In a small bowl, stir the chopped garlic with the lemon zest, bread crumbs and parsley. Thinly slice the pork and sprinkle with the parsley mixture. Serve with the roasted cherry tomatoes.