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Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24: A Tomato Garden Party
I knew there were five key ingredients to making this party a success; the weather, the setting, the food, the logistics and most importantly the people. The Weather:
The Food: The menu was part of the proposal and one of the reasons why “A Tomato Garden Party” was selected, so we already had that mapped out. As you can see, I had a quite a bit of work ahead of me. A Tomato Garden Party Cocktail Hors d’oeuvres First Course Desert Now, some of these recipes are tried and true Jersey Bites favorites, like the Orzo and Flank Stake recipes. These were no brainers. The new recipes I was trying or developing for the party were another story. Finding a desert recipe that incorporated tomatoes was a challenge. Most recipes are very heavy and more like zucchini bread. I found the recipe for the cupcakes on a blog called Cupcake Project. It was very easy and tasted very much like carrot cake. I am not a baker at all. Infact, I’ve never used a pastry bag until yesterday when I was frosting the
 cupcakes. It was a good thing no one was taking pictures. (Note to self: do not fill pastry bag too much or you wear more icing than the cupcakes) If you want to see a picture of a really beautiful version, click on the link above. Let’s just say, mine didn’t look exactly like that and luckily it was so dark by the time desert was served, no one noticed.
Another first on the menu is the Creamy Tomato Basil Soup. I have to say, I think it was my favorite dish of the night. This was a new recipe created on the fly the night before. Someone commented that it tastes like vodka sauce. I have a lot left over and I think I may just try it as a pasta sauce tonight. CREAMY TOMATO BASIL SOUP INGREDIENTS 2 Tbs. olive oil Saute onion in olive oil until tender. Add tomatoes and juice and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Add basil and garlic and puree with stick blender. Stir in heavy cream and butter. Salt and pepper to taste. Yummo! Serve with lots of crusty bread for dipping. The Logistics: In addition to the parking issues, I also realized very late in the game that I do not have enough dishes for a 4 course meal for eight people. So, I had to beg, borrow and steal (well, not steal) to put together the table scape I had in my head. I think it turned out beautifully. Some fun additions that were born out of necessity were the purple basil bouquets in tomato cans you see above.
My wonderful boyfriend, Peter, who has his own blog at history-geek.com, was in charge of grilling the ciabatta bread, tomato and cheese and the steaks. As always, he did a stellar job. He was also in charge of the tomato research. Check out the video for the history of Pizza Margarita. My best friend Jill and her husband John were here for moral support and to witness the tomato dress. You’ll see what I mean below. The last newbie on the list was the Fried Eggplant with Tomato and Goat Cheese. Talk about your risk taker. I waited until the day of the party to give this a whirl. My guests and I tasted it for the first time together, and it was delicious. I sliced pink eggplant in half inch thick slices, salted one side and let stand on paper towels to drain. After about 20 minutes, I dipped them in egg and then Italian Panko bread crumbs. Browned them in Canola oil and drained on paper towels. I did this a couple hours in advance. When it came time for serving, I sliced yellow tomatoes, salt and peppered them and placed a slice on each piece of eggplant. Put them on a cookie sheet and broiled for a few minutes. Next, cut a goat cheese log into Remember to check out the video of the night. Great shots of all the dishes. In the end, the Tomato Garden Party was a big success. You’ll see in our video we were out there way past sundown. I didn’t wear the tomato dress _____________________________________________ Special thanks to Mom for making me the dress and custom making the table cloth for my extra large patio table. Thanks to my boyfriend Peter for running here and there and everywhere in preparation for this party. Thank you to my BFF, Jill, for watching my kids while I frantically got things together yesterday and for loaning me her dishes. Melissa, thanks for the dishes too. Thanks to my guests for humoring m
38 Responses “Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24: A Tomato Garden Party”
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Oh my, that is a tomato jungle! I really like your dress! Great party and post!
Deb – Your party looks DELICIOUS! Great job, you did the Jersey tomato and all Jersey Girls proud!
What gorgeous Jersey tomatoes you have!
And congratulations with your post.. wonderfully displayed.
What a beautiful job you did! I love the centerpieces. I am also very sorry I could not be there.
What a wonderful evening! You put together a beautiful party–the food looks amazing, and the company seems lovely.
Your tomato plants? Oh my GOD. I bookmarked your post about making the ring, and I hope hop hope I remember it this coming spring!!
Hey all,
Thanks for commenting. Yeah, the tomato plants are crazy and so much fun. It’s been a kind of sentimental journey with growing them. It’s one of the few memories I have of my Dad, his huge tomato plants.
If you are going to try one recipe from the evening, give the tomato soup a shot. Just had leftovers over pasta, but I think its best just as a soup.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Hi Deb,
The party was awesome. It was great to get to know some fellow jersey food bloggers, to eat some awesome food, to enjoy a beautiful garden and to talk about the civil war with peter. Hope we can do something like it again sometime.
Bill
This is awesome! What a great theme party – no matter the reason. Thanks for sharing. I’ve been enjoying your blog for a while now…my husband is a “Jersey-ite.”
Hi Bill,
It was great meeting you and your wife too. We’ll have to do another party (oh, am I really saying that already). Next time, many more Biters I hope.
Deb
Deb,
What an AMAZING post. The party looks like it was a wild success. Your tomato jungle is incredible. I can’t wait to try the creamy tomato basil soup. WOW! I think I’ll take your word for it on the tomato cupcakes though – sounds a bit adventurous. Congratulations – now rest up – you deserve it!
You are a lucky person with all those tomatoes. And, the party looks delicious, especially the cupcakes.
You are a lucky person with all those tomatoes. And, the party looks delicious, especially the cupcakes.
You are a lucky person with all those tomatoes. And, the party looks delicious, especially the cupcakes.
You are a lucky person with all those tomatoes. And, the party looks delicious, especially the cupcakes.
You are a lucky person with all those tomatoes. And, the party looks delicious, especially the cupcakes.
You are a lucky person with all those tomatoes. And, the party looks delicious, especially the cupcakes.
Great dress, and fantastic tomatoes! It all sounds so delicious, and with great company! Congrats on a tomato coup!
Deb – Other than getting a bit lost getting to your house, I had a very enjoyable time. Everything came out wonderful. You guys did a great job. It was also fun to meet some fellow Jersey food bloggers and swap some stories. All in all, a fun day. – John
What a wonderful party! I like your dress
I was dining alfresco too and thank god the weather was kind to me as well, hee … lovely post … & congrats! 
Loooove that dress! Plus a tomato martin sounds wonderful, yum!
Your dress is super fabulous!
The baked bean and tomato cupcake takes the… well, you know.
I’m sure it tasted better than the tomato popsicles we get in Korea.
Oh, what fun!!!! That is an inspiring menu!
And you have a Corgi!!! We lost our Cordelia this past winter and still miss her terribly.
Looks great, and I *love* the touch of putting bouquets in the cans… marvelous and whimsical!
great party. wow! lovely tomatoes….
you must have had a blast.Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed it
I was SO thinking about you on Saturday – while, sitting on a soccer fields for 3 hours and not one tomato in sight – so glad the weather cooperated and it sounds (and looks) like everyone had a great time.
Good job, Momma!
Lovely party,love the idea to put flowers in a can , adorable .
Well done
What a great evening and party!
what a great idea and well done too
Nice!
Fun video! I can relate trying to remember the ingredients after someone has asked me…and yes I heard you say a stick and a half of butter. Oh, my. Love tomatoes — wish I had room to grow them. Nice job on the menu and your party…and the dress? Oh, my.
thats a nice party…
How fun! I say keep the dress! Or if you dont like it as a dress transform it into an apron!
Great great idea…love the effort that went into each tomatoee course, the tomatao flower cans, the red dressed invitees, the tomato cupcake (gosh…unbelievable) & your tomato dress…LOL! WELL DONE Deb…brilliant all the way!
Heidi, love the idea of turning the dress into an apron. Brilliant.
Kellypea, there’s always room for tomatoes. Get yourself some container plants if you’ve got no yard. Most important thing is sun, sun and more sun. And, oh yeah, stick and a half of butter and 2 1/2 cups heavy cream. LOL. I feel like Paula Dean, but it does make a lot. I fed a party of eight, had a bowl the night before and the day after, made pasta and used it for sauce and then froze 3 containers of it.
Thank you all for the great comments. It made the effort well worth it.
Great party, everything looked so delicious!
What a beautiful soup!
I love your tomato themed centerpieces and “vases”…very charming and perfect for your theme!
Adorable pics (love the doggy one)! Doable menu, and fun, fun, fun. With all the craziness in the world right now, I’m excited about those events that include plenty of flava while keeping us cozily close to home. Bravo.
This looks like a really fun meal! I’ve been wanting to try those baked bean cupcakes.