Roasted Tomato Soup with Thick Cut Bacon

Roasted Tomato Soup with Thick Cut Bacon

I know it's been a busy week for me, has it been for you, too? Luckily, we've survived Carmageddon with no issues. In fact, traffic has been a dream this weekend with everybody staying home. They should do this every year!

My mother reminded me of this recipe for Roasted Tomato Soup with Thick Cut Bacon that I first made in Floyd a few years ago. Boy, time flies! She cooked it right before the 4th of July, which inspired me to make it in Des Moines for my in-laws, with bacon from the local Des Moines Bacon Company and tomatoes, both purchased at the farmers market. The results were... heavenly!

It's essentially like a fresh take on the childhood favorite -- tomato soup. Only here, the tomatoes are roasted, and crispy bacon takes the place of a grilled cheese for dipping in the soup. It's perfect for tomato season.

I'm featuring the recipe this week in my weekly recipe column in West Hollywood and Hollywood Patch.

Here's a direct link to the recipe and photos

Patch 'Market Fresh Recipe' Round-Up: Frittatas, Burgers, Veggies & More!

As some of you may know, I'm the food writer for AOL's West Hollywood Patch.

In addition to reviewing restaurants and covering local food events, I also write a weekly recipe column called "Farm to the Table" where I share Market Fresh Recipes based on my finds at the local farmers market.

The column is regularly one of the most read articles on the website, and several other local Patch sites are starting to pick it up and publish it. Since I've compiled quite a few recipes, I thought that I would share a round-up of them for your reading enjoyment. There's everything from frittatas and burgers, to veggies and macaroons.

If you like what you see, please Facebook share them, Tweet them, comment on them, share them with your friends, etc. As always, your love and support is much appreciated!

Farm to the Table on AOL's Patch

• Avocado & Radish Salad
• Baby Beet Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
• Blueberry Walnut Muffins
• Chilled Gazpacho Soup with Feta
• Coconut Macaroons with Strawberries
• Greek Frittata
• Grilled Salmon with Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
• Halibut Tacos wit Homemade Pico de Gallo
• Jalapeno Cheese Grassfed Buger
• Quick & Easy Roasted Asparagus
• Sole Meuniere with Wilted Spinach

Meatless Monday: Blueberry Walnut Muffins

Fresh Blueberries from the Farmers Market

It's that glorious time of year: blueberries are back in season!

To say that I love blueberries would be the understatement of the century. I don't just love them -- I'm in love with them. I scoop them up at the farmers market and cradle a bag of them them like they're gold coins in a leather satchel. Blueberries are my desert island food. I can eat them by the handful, morning, noon, or night.

My mom claims that it's because when I was a wee little babe growing up in St. Croix in the Virgin Islands (it's a long story), it was one of the first foods that she introduced to me. There happened to be a surplus on the island that year. I loved them then, and my adoration for them has never waned.

Even better, they've since been proclaimed one of nature's most powerful superfoods, loaded with antioxidants and nutrients. There's only one caveat: conventionally grown blueberries have landed on the Dirty Dozen list because they test high for pesticide residue. So try to buy organic/no-spray blueberries if possible (like many of the ones sold at farmers markets).

To celebrate the coming of blueberry season, I wanted to share this recipe that was published in my "Farm to the Table" column on AOL's West Hollywood Patch for Blueberry Walnut Muffins. This healthy take on muffins contains whole grain flours, protein and healthy fats from the walnuts, natural sweeteners, and no dairy. It's the perfect way to start your morning.

Market Fresh Recipe: Blueberry Walnut Muffins

Special Passover Meatless Monday: Coconut Macaroons with Winter Strawberries

Coconut Macaroons with Winter Strawberries

In honor of the forthcoming Passover holiday, check out my new "Farm to the Table" recipe on WeHo Patch for Coconut Macaroons with Winter Strawberries.

If there's such a thing as a healthy dessert, then this is it! These delicate, tasty treats are free of flour/gluten and refined sugar (they're sweetened with maple syrup or agave nectar). Although coconut has gotten a bad rap in the past due to it's high saturated fat content, the kind of fat in coconut is not typically stored in the body. In addition, coconut is high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

I paired these lovely little cookies with the sweet, vibrant winter strawberries that popping up are all over my local farmers market, but any fresh fruit works, too.

Here's the direct link to my recipe for Coconut Macaroons with Winter Strawberries

Meatless Monday: Baby Beet Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Baby Beet Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

For this special edition of Meatless Monday, click on over to West Hollywood Patch to view my recipe for Baby Beet Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette.

This lovely salad combined roasted baby beets with a Greek-style goat's milk feta cheese, organic mixed baby greens, and sunflower seeds. The whole salad is topped with a light citrus vinaigrette. It's a healthy, delicious recipe that's perfect for lunch or a starting appetizer for a dinner party.

Going forward, I'll be writing a regular column called "Farm to the Table" for Patch featuring weekly recipes based on my finds at the West Hollywood Farmers Market. So stay tuned -- I have some great stuff planned!

Here's my recipe for Baby Beet Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Breaking News: I'm the New Food Writer for West Hollywood Patch!

I wanted to announce that I'm the new food writer for West Hollywood Patch, AOL's local news website.

I'll be writing weekly recipes based on finds at the WeHo Farmers Market in a column called, "Farm to Table." I'll also be covering restaurants and local food events, like last week's fabulous Taste Art (article below). Lucky for me, West Hollywood plays host to some of the city's top dining destinations like Lucques and Comme Ca, and the hotly anticipated Ink from Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio.

I love the new gig -- and it lets me do what I do best, which is write about all kinds of food and develop healthy recipes based on fresh, local ingredients.

Pinches Tacos

My article on Pinches Tacos was published today in the "Bites Nearby" column:

Pinches Tacos: Holey "Mole" Tacos

Here's my article on Taste Art, the unique dining experience that pairs fine art with haute cuisine: 

The Avenues Serve Up 'Taste Art'

If you like what you read, please like the articles on Facebook, Tweet them, email them, do whatever you do to share great food with your friends!