Mozzarella, Basil and Tomatoes

Okay I know all of you up north probably have their fair share of beautiful home grown tomatoes...and I am so jealous! I do miss my mom's grown tomatoes fresh from her garden. I have tried to grow them here in Florida with not much luck...so now I just get them at Yoder's where I know they get them local when they can...But I am able to get fresh mozzarella! Not that I made myself, but fresh none the less...

I can grow a little basil...I just keep replanting when it goes to seed...So a wonderful thing to make with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil is Caprese salad. Thick slices of tomatoes and mozzarella, with some of those basil leaves tucked in between...topped with a drizzle of balsamic (make a reduction for a special treat) and extra virgin olive oil...and a sprinkle of finishing salt (I discovered many finishing salts thanks to Jaden from The Steamy Kitchen), she told me where to go in Sarasota to get the best!

Or make some pizza!
Margherita Pizza is a pizza classic. This style of pizza was originally made for Queen Margherita, the Queen of Italy by a man named Esposito in Naples in 1889. Italy, Queen Margherita.

Simple ingredients make for a wonderful tasting pizza, it always helps to make sure you have the best, fresh ingredients.
I make a quick pizza dough in the dough cycle of my bread machine...

Spread on some fresh tomato sauce or your favorite pizza sauce. Sprinkle some fresh grated Parmesan, slices of fresh mozzarella, fresh basil leaves from your garden, and slices of your beautiful (wish I had) homegrown tomatoes! Drizzle with a little good olive oil and fresh garlic ....

...bake in a hot oven 425 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes until the crust is golden to perfection and the cheese bubbly!

Need I say more?!