Intro
Sometimes you need a segue. Not one of those vertical scooter-like vehicles that automatically prompts a chuckle with visions of Paul Blart or Gob awkwardly motoring along (I apologize if you have not seen Mall Cop or Arrested Development. I also apologize for admitting that I have). A segue that gracefully closes the door on one thing while getting you excited about what is yet to come.
Currently I’m making the transition from Summer to Fall. In the last few weeks I’ve had a lunch of fresh tomatoes with shaved corn, basil and goat cheese while then enjoying a slice of apple pie for dessert. While I’m not complaining about either of these dishes, I’m feeling the pull of wanting to snatch up the last of the Summer’s bounty while yet being nudged into cold weather foods, with thoughts of cold, dark evenings, and *gasp* even the holidays.
With my mind leaning into the cold months eating raw zucchini, and fresh tomatoes feels somewhat uncouth. In an effort to seque to Fall while still saying my long goodbyes to Summer I created a meal that has a hand in either direction.
Bright Summer tomatoes blend with sun-dried tomatoes for added depth and warmth. Fresh herbs brighten while sweet paprika add a subtle smokiness that spurs up images of evenings in front of the fire. A thick hearty tomato paste that softens under the heat of pasta is again brightened with a casually placed pile of fresh arugula. Topped with freshly grated Parmesan and toasted walnuts it’s the perfect segue of the seasons.
Tomato Pesto
If you’d prefer to pass on the pasta slather this pesto on a sandwich instead. Perhaps grilled with a slice of Provolone.
1 medium tomato
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (if using oil cured reserved 2 T of the oil to add in later)
1 garlic clove
½ cup fresh basil
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon (optional)
½ teaspoon sweet paprika
¼ cup toasted walnut halves
½ cup grated Parmesan
½ teaspoon salt
In the bowl of a food processor add the tomatoes and garlic. Blend. Add the remaining ingredients and blend to combine. Tast and adjust seasoning.
Toss this with pasta and top with Parmesan and walnuts. Or simply use as a sandwich spread or a fresh vegetable dip.
This looks amazing. Adding it to my must try ASAP list!
Erica from Feasting on Life
Love pesto, especially tomato, and you can never go wrong with it. I love your photography as well! I am so subscribing!
So, I’ve been living under a rock, I guess. I’d never heard of tomato pesto! I am enthralled, thank you for this!!
Looks delicious!! I am going to give this a try later this week with some homegrown tomatoes! Thank you for the wonderful idea!
This is sounds super. YUM.
it is really going to happen, we are going to have to hunker down for a few months. Get it while the getting is good!
I have tomatoes just begging to be whirled about. Will give it a try with my roasted varietiels. Lovely.
I’m so with you on the summer/fall clash. It feels like it’s time to say goodbye to summery foods and break out the pumpkins and root veggies. I love how this tomato pesto mixes the lightness of summer foods with a touch of autumn’s heartiness.
Never thought to do a combo of fresh tomatoes and sun dried. Love it- thank you!
Beautiful photos. Delicious pesto recipe. We are just beginning to cool down here but I have to admit, all of my thoughts are on Fall…
I’ve never heard of tomato pesto, but it makes so much sense… will be trying this one!
I was looking (with one eye if that) at TV a couple of nights ago and saw a dishwashin liquid commercial……so I was curious to see if this blogger was real or if it was just made up for that tv commercial!;) So I went online soon after, and there it was, a real blog! And, I love it! Your pictures and recipes look delisious and make me want to do something awesome!
I love pesto, but never tought to try tomato pesto! Thank You!!! Your blog is beautiful.
Beautiful and delicious! The perfect transitional meal.
This is absolutely beautiful. Funny how your simple tomato pictures turn out to be something I’d have on my wall! Love it.
Mall Cop I understand, but there’s absolutely no reason to apologize for Arrested Development.
Beautiful photos! Your recipe looks absolutely delish! I’ll have to try it out soon!
xo, Cassandra
I made this last night and it was amazing…it really packs a big flavour punch. We have had a couple of very cool days and this was the perfect dinner for such a day. It will be a regular in our house!
Gorgeous pictures and the recipe sounds absolutely delicious!
The tomato pesto is a great idea! Love the flavors.
I made plain pesto yesterday, but I still have lots of basil left, so maybe I should try this! I know it would still have that marvelous basil flavor, but a new twist with the tomato, tarragon, and paprika.
This looks so delicious! I will definitely be adding this to my menu soon. Thanks for sharing!
This looks so delicious!!! I absolutely love tomatoes and this would be a wonderful change from regular basil pesto. Yum!
Beautiful photos! Love the bright red tomato against the dark background! recipe sounds good too 🙂
oh goodness. That first picture is such a beauty. Not to mention the beautiful recipe and other photos.
I feel the same, in transition, divided between oatmeal and smoothie, naps and long bike rides in the sun. The weather here still invites to stay outside and enjoy summer fare. I’ll second it, and feel goos enough, thinking there will be time for confort food. I will make this to help the transition, yet eating it as it was a summer dish, because this is what every pesto seems to me, it always reminds me of lunches in sunny days. Thanks for sharing.
This sounds lovely, using both fresh and sun dried tomatoes is a great idea! I love the addition of sweet paprika, too.
Thanks, Joanne.
This looks amazing!! Definitely a perfect transition for this time of year…love how it combines the sweet smokiness of fall with the fresh, light feel of summer. Trying this one for sure.
It’s pretty amazing you can jazz up a traditional pesto with other herbs and veggies. Thanks for the fabulous recipe and idea. Definitely something to make in the near future!
I always loose interest in eating raw food when it gets colder, but I love your pesto, it for sure smells like hidden summer. I will try it. I promise.
I’m with you too! Lots of comfort food, but still loads of summer fruits and veggies while I can still get ’em! 🙂
Ooooo…this looks so comforting. This transition time is a kinda awkward, and this is the perfect solution! Yum.
i love your recipes! i made the one with the beet root pasta and it was perfect!
kisses
love the addition of paprika! have never seen that in a pesto before.
I do believe in easing into a season… especially when it comes to food. While I’m anxious to get chowin’ on some squash, I know that in a month’s time, I’ll be yearning for the delights of summer.
Lovely photographs…just makes me want to make this recipe right away!
Looks absolutely delicious 🙂
This recipe is amazing, I already added it to my menu and everybody in my family love it. The pictures are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I’m still holding on to my tomatoes but am slowly easing my way into fall. This pesto sounds like a good, easy transition in 🙂
This looks incredible!!! Cant wait to try this recipe. A new tomato recipe that I’ll surely get addicted to.
just the thing my tomatoes are crying for.
LOVE the idea of this. Brilliant stuff. Great photography too.
Ashley! Just had to tell you that last night I made this pesto and used it as the base for your calzone recipe w/ a little chicken sausage – SO good! Thanks for sharing your gifts & recipes – made for a VERY tasty evening, an amazing smelling house, and lunches for the days to come!
Don’t apologize for Arrested Development!
I wish I had success with tomatoes in my garden this summer, because this pesto looks fabulous.
Oh ashley, any time I see or hear mention of a segue, my mind immediately defaults to an image of Gob, and I laugh a little–I agree, no need to apologize for the AD reference. And your pictures, of course, are beautiful.
I love you pictures and I love to cook. I get my natural food ingredients from http://vitaminlady.com in their healthy food category, just a tip for your readers.
Delish and so easy