Bloody Mary Grape Tomatoes

Let's just start by saying that this recipe says it serves twelve.  We made 1/3 of the recipe and inhaled the tomatoes.  Two of us.  Now, maybe if you've got other appetizers.  Or if one of two of the group doesn't like tomatoes.  But, even with middle of the winter, you've got to be kidding grape tomatoes, we inhaled a whole pint of the things. 

Back up a minute here.  Connie told me that there was something calling his name at the Midland Arts and Antique Mall.  We had to run a couple of other errands on Saturday so I suggested we run by the mall and find the elusive voice.  Turns out I was the only one to find anything.  I found two cookbooks.  One was The Best American Recipes 2002-2003 by Fran McCullough and Molly Stevens.  Four others in the series live at my house.  They're all excellent cookbooks.  I proceeded to read it to Connie on our way from downtown to Zionsville - about a 20 minute drive.  This was the first recipe that we both found appealing.  Ok, fine.  We didn't just find it appealing, we chattered on and on about it.  What a unique idea this is.  And, different.  It's not an appetizer we've ever seen.  We immediately decided to make it for our Valentine's Day feast. 

The rest of the story, and you knew there was going to be a rest of the story about the elusive voice, now didn't you, is this.  I got to the breakfast chapter and found a recipe for Jordan Marsh blueberry muffins.  That is the ONLY thing Connie has talked about from his kidhood that he really wants me to recreate.  I looked at him and commented that indeed something had been calling his name.  It'd just taken me to find it for him!

The muffins, however will have to wait a bit.  The tomatoes and four other recipes are for this week.  Now, we can't wait til we've got our own cherry tomatoes.  This will be a regular during tomato season.  And, when we're craving real tomatoes during the winter?  This will work just fine.  And, we'll probably try using our homemade pepper vodka next time just to switch it up a bit.


Bloody Mary Grape Tomatoes

Ingredients:
3 pints firm small red and yellow cherry tomatoes
1/2 c vodka
3 T white wine vinegar
1 T confectioners sugar
1 t finely grated lemon zest
3 T kosher salt
1 1/2 T coarsely ground black pepper

Directions:

In the end of each tomato, cut a small X.  Bring a pot of water to a boil.  Put a bowl of ice water next to the stove.  Using a slotted spoon, dip five tomatoes at a time into the boiling water.  Count to three seconds and remove them and put them into the ice water. 

Once all the tomatoes have been dunked, drain them and put them into a large, shallow bowl.  Now, it's time to peel them.  Since you've dunked them in the hot water, peeling them will actually be quite easy.  Took the two of us about three minutes total.


Mix the vodka, vinegar, sugar and lemon zest and pour it over the tomatoes. 

Toss the tomatoes until all of them are coated.  Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes to allow to marinate. 

To serve, put the salt and pepper in two small bowls. 

Use toothpicks for the tomatoes and dip away. 



adapted from The Best American Recipes, 2002-2003