Killer Marinated Tomatoes

I spotted these marinated tomatoes from ButterYum a few weeks back and knew I had to make them. I love tomatoes, my mom once told me that I used to eat 'em like apples when I was a kid! I can't imagine what a mess that was.

The marinade is a simple blend of herbs, spices, vinegar and oil, but it packs a real punch. These marinated tomatoes are delicious as is or served over a bed of fresh spinach with some parmesan for a quick salad.

Killer Marinated Tomatoes
(printable recipe)
via Butter Yum

6 large tomatoes, cut into wedges (or equal amount halved, cherry, grape, or pear tomatoes)
3 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
1 tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt (I used Lawry's)
1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
3/4 tsp. dried thyme
3/4 c canola oil
1/2 c red wine vinegar
3 scallions, sliced thin

Whisk everything but the tomatoes wedges together in a bowl. Add the tomatoes and stir to coat. Marinate at room temperature for at least 2 hours, stirring every now and then.

This is a great dish for potlucks as these are best eaten at room temperature on the day they are made.

Red River, NM Vacation Recap

So, I was MIA all last week due to a family vacation to Red River, NM. It was a blast. I hadn't been to Red River in a few years, (I wasn't even drinking age the last time I went!) so it was nice to go back to "Little Texas" as it is often called. We enjoyed shopping, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and several day trips to Taos and Santa Fe. Definitely a jam-packed week.

Here's a few highlights:


One of the best ways to appreciate the lush mountains in Red River is to take the lifts up to the top of Wheeler Peak. Red River is a popular destination for skiers in the winter, but the lifts stay open year round. If you're ambitious (and haven't eaten your weight in candy on the drive) you can even hike down.


Red River also has some scenic fishing spots, we caught our fair share of rainbow trout here with some good ole' nightcrawlers.


And then there was shopping, or for me the pursuit of silver charms and all things turquoise. By far the best place to find a treasure is in Santa Fe. You can by right from the hands that forged the silver on the plaza, and get a pretty good deal to boot!


And before we spent all our money we had to take a trip up the mountain on horseback. Or in my case, via burro. Red River Stables had a full tour and employed all their horses and donkeys, putting me with Little Mexico and Hank with Einstein. It was a nice (and steep!) ride up. I was glad to be with sure footed Mexico on the rocky cliffs. The guide told me she had been found with a bunch of wild horses along the Turquoise Trail, at the Mexico / Arizona border. They believed her to be a drug smuggling burro who had been set free after performing her task!


Last but never least, the food. We ate really well on this trip, everything from giant italian sandwiches to enchiladas, to steak and hamburgers. I got lots of great ideas from this trip, Green Chile Enchiladas are up next on my to-make list. And look out for Cactus Salsa soon!

Enchiladas in New Mexico

Blue Corn Chicken Enchiladas at El Taoseno in Taos, NM.

Also

We picked up this little guy yesterday, hopefully Jack takes to him well.

Back in the Saddle Again

We're back from New Mexico, just in time for the hottest part of the Texas summer. Our trip was great, gorgeous weather, beautiful mountains, and lots of fun (got to ride Mexico, the littlest smuggling burro!).
Recap tonight.

Saturday

I love Saturdays, even more so when I have a week of vacation ahead of me. Off to visit New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment with the family. See everyone next week.

Bigger in Texas (Pillow) Cookies

It seems like numerous variations of pillow cookies have been floating around the blogosphere as of late. Everything from peanut butter stuffed with banana to chocolate stuffed with candy, the possibilities are endless. I'm not usually one to jump on the bandwagon so quickly, but this concept was too good to pass up!

If you've never tried or heard of a pillow cookie, it is basically cookie dough that is formed around an already cooked center such as a brownie or another cookie (eek - cannibals!!) then baked.

For my Bigger in Texas Cookies, fudge brownies are baked and wrapped around a caramel square then covered up in my favorite chocolate chunk cookie dough. The result is a monster of a cookie with a fudgy brownie middle and melted caramel center, definitely big enough to share with a friend. or several.

Bigger in Texas Cookies
(printable recipe)

1 boxed brownie mix, bake according to package directions in a 9x13 pan and cut into 18 pieces
8 caramel candies, unwrapped

For the cookie dough:
2 sticks butter
1/2 c sugar
1 3/4 c brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 lb. 60% cacao dark chocolate, chopped

Cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time and mix well. Add vanilla. In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients. Slowly add to wet mix, until just combined. Fold in chocolate.
To assemble the cookies, form brownie around caramel square, making sure the caramel is completely covered. Form the brownie into a flat disc, (like a hockey puck). Take 1/2 c of cookie dough and place it on parchment paper, press the brownie into the center. Cover with another 1/2 c cookie dough, making sure the brownie is completely enclosed on all sides.
Bake cookies (2 at a time, they are huge!) for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.


Makes 8 enormous cookies. You could certainly make these smaller if you like, just omit the caramel and cut small chunks of brownie. I prefer the larger ones though, the more cookie the better!