Summer Tomatoes

We are coming to the end of summer and now is the season for tomatoes grown locally.
Try my fabulous Grilled Shrimp and Heirloom Tomato Salad before summer comes to a close.

Grilled Shrimp Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes
Serves 4

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled, deveined
5 Tb. lime juice
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 small jalapeno, seeded, minced
6 Tb. cilantro, chopped
1/4 tsp. salt
3 large Heirloom tomatoes mixed colors, diced
1 shallot, minced
1/4 cup basil, chopped
3 Tb. balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
6 cups mixed greens
1 half of a small papaya, peeled, diced

Procedure
1. Combine the shrimp with the lime, olive oil, cumin, jalapeno, cilantro and salt in a medium bowl. Toss, and allow to sit at room temperature for one hour or refrigerate for two hours.
2. Combine the tomatoes, shallot, basil, balsamic, olive oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Allow to sit while you grill the shrimp.
3. Heat a grill pan until hot. Remove the shrimp from the marinade and grill until pink and curled, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate.
4. Toss the mixed greens with the tomatoes. Taste for seasoning.
5. Place the greens on serving plates, divide the shrimp between the plates and top each serving with the diced papaya.

Olive Oil- what kind should you buy?

I get many students that ask me what type of olive oil is best, what is the difference between extra virgin and regular olive oil, how much should they spend..

The name extra virgin refers to the first press of the olives which produces the most olive flavored and greenest oil. The more the olives are pressed the lighter the color gets to where it eventually becomes pale yellow. At each stage the oil has less olive flavor.

As far as what is best I recommend having a couple different oils in your pantry. One with real olive flavor for drizzling on cold salads and pastas or for dipping. Other olive oil is nicer for cooking because the flavor is less intrusive. As far as brands go - I recommend Italian, Greek, Spanish and Californian olive oils. The best way to decide what you like is to taste it and try different ones.
The price is similar to anything of quality- the more you spend the better the product. So it is nice to have one very good oil for special dishes and then a medium priced oil for daily cooking.

Enjoy your food and have fun shopping for olive oil!

Welcome to Amanda's Cooking Blog

Each month you will find new recipes added by me. Please comment on them and let me know what you think.
Thanks for stopping by!
-Amanda