Red Gold Tomatoes

I was offered a complimentary sample of Red Gold canned tomatoes, which is a family owned business based in Indiana which has been around since the 1940's. The website provides information about the company and lots of great recipes. I used the tomatoes for turkey chili, in omelets and to make bruschetta. If you are in the market for a new canned tomato you should definitely Red Gold a try!

Muir Glen Tomato Dinner at Aria - Take 2

Fried Green Tomatoes with Deviled Egg Salad, Ruby Red Tomato & Dill Pickle Dressing.

I was excited to be invited to the second Muir Glen Tomato Dinner at Aria - I attended the first one earlier this year and you can see my post here. In celebration of its fine tomatoes, Muir Glen invites chefs around the country to create recipes using their organic canned tomatoes. Some chefs create a whole menu for guests to try at a special dinner. Before we sat down we enjoyed Tomato Clam Chowder; Tomato, white bean, red chard & fennel sausage soup; spicy Angus beef grillades and Southern Fried Chicken with Creamy Ruby Red Tomato Gravy (both served on buttermilk biscuits); grilled cheese, bacon & tomato keasters and Oak Grilled Ciabatta Bruschetta with Red & Yellow tomatoes and basil.

My favorites included the tomato, white bean, chard & sausage soup and the grilled cheese - both used the flavorful tomatoes perfectly.

Chef Gary Klaskala of Aria explaining the special tomato menu.

After the appetizers mentioned above, we sat down for a four course menu. We were also provided with samples of the tomatoes and reserve tomatoes - this year the reserve is called Harvest Sunset (trademark) and is a blend of red and yellow tomatoes. You can order a reserve basket here, which includes the recipe for the beef dish pictured below.

I am looking forward to making some chilli very soon using my tomatoes. I especially love the fire roasted tomatoes that Muir Glen produces. These tomatoes take canned to another level. To see recipe ideas, click here.

Pan Roasted Jumbo Prawn with Herbed Lobster Ruby Red Tomato Broth



Spicy Braised Angus Beef with Fire Roasted Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Gold Potatoes and Cilantro. This was my favorite dish (well, after the dessert!)



UpsideDown Tomato Cake with black Pepper Tomato Ice Cream. Simply delicious - it sounds odd but a very good combination!

Muir Glen Tomato Dinner at Aria

Favorite dish of the night - Tomato Panna Cotta with Tomato Sorbet. Sugar Cookies with Tomato Jam on the side.

I was invited to a fabulous tasting event at Aria, sponsored by Muir Glen. The organic tomato folks asked Chef Gerry Klaskala to create a tasting menu featuring their canned tomatoes. These are definitely not your average canned tomatoes, some even hold the "reserve" label. In addition to the delicious dishes pictured below, hors d'oeuvres of grilled cheese with bacon and tomato, bruschetta with tomato, blue cheese and prosciutto and tomato burger sliders were offered along with Bloody Mary's.

My favorite had to be the dessert, followed closely by the lamb dish with tomato and eggplant ragout. At the end of the meal we were given a Reserve Kit with tomatoes to take home. The fire roasted tomatoes have become a favorite of mine, especially for spaghetti sauce and lasagna. Yum! Thanks Muir Glen!

Chef Gerry Klaskala

Tomato tasting. Love the fire roasted!

Fire Roasted Tomato & Shrimp Bisque.

Ditalini with Squash, Tomatoes and Reggiano Parmigiano.

Spinasse Ragu with Anson Mills Polenta.

Oak Grilled Lamb with Tomato & Eggplant Ragout.