green zebra gazpacho

the green zebra is an interesting variety.  they are grouped in with the other heirloom tomatoes but they are actually a hybrid of two different heirlooms.  and because heirloom means that the seeds come from pure strains – in other words, they have not been crossed with another variety – by crossing two heirlooms it actually yields a non-heirloom.  kind of like how multiplying two negative numbers makes a positive one.  does that... Read More

heirloom marinara – the good stuff

i’ll let you know right off the bat that to make some seriously good marinara you need to start with some seriously delicious tomatoes – i recommend buying organic heirloom tomatoes at the farmers market while they’re still in season.  because they can be expensive, i recommend finding a farmer that has great tasting tomatoes but is willing to sell you the less perfect ones at a discount.  at the markets i frequent in los angeles,... Read More

lemon cucumber and heirloom tomato carpaccio

i get so excited when heirloom tomatoes come back in season that i quite audibly squeal.  i don’t know if it’s the short season – only about a month and a half if we’re lucky – or the unique taste that can’t be found in conventional tomatoes, but they are the one veggie i dream about all year long. i consider the heirloom tomato to be the darling of the farmers’ market.  out of all the produce that cycles... Read More

roasted rainbow heirloom carrots with pesto

when these beautiful spring carrots showed up at the farmers’ market i was unsure how to showcase them.  i eat a lot of carrots but they are rarely the star of the recipe, so i needed to find a special way to highlight these beautiful shades all on their own. i first got the idea for roasting and tossing with pesto from the gastrobus at the los feliz farmers’ market.  they serve an organic “tapas-style” brunch every sunday... Read More

rustic heirloom tomato salad

these tomatoes don’t need much to taste good.  sometimes i just eat them plain.  but if you are new to heirlooms and need a simple idea for how to enjoy them, try this simple salad.  it features an easy honey dressing which cuts the sharp taste of some of the more acidic tomatoes, and subtly compliments the sweeter ones perfectly.  it’s lightly tossed with fresh heirloom tomatoes, basil, parsley and onion in a perfect summer concoction. ... Read More

heirlooms are back…and so am i!

i haven’t been posting much lately, not because i haven’t been cooking – i’ve been cooking like crazy.  and not because i’m not taking pictures – i finally figured out how to use my other lens and these summer hours lend me many more hours of favorable light.  and not because i don’t have recipes – i’ve written and shot several recipes that i’ve just been too lazy to post. it’s easy... Read More

10 tips for enjoying heirloom tomatoes

tomato season is coming to an end, but there are still a few weeks left to enjoy all of the sweet, tangy, fresh and juicy varieties of seasonal heirloom tomatoes.  you can find the freshest picks and most different varieties at your local farmers’ markets.  since i happen to sell tomatoes at a few farmers’ markets, i’m offering up these 10 tips for successfully choosing, moving, storing and serving those unique and delicate veggies. ... Read More