Spicy Tomato Soup

2 cans whole tomatoes in juice
1 large onion, chopped
2 tsp. chopped garlic
1 tsp. chopped fresh jalepeno
2 tsp. finely chopped ginger
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
2 1/4 cups chicken stock
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 tsp. salt

Directions: Drain ONE can of tomatoes, then puree with other can WITH JUICE. Saute onion, garlic, jalepeno and ginger in olive oil in large pot. Add cumin and cook one minute. Stir in pureed tomatoes, broth, sugar and salt. Simmer stirring occasionally 20 minutes. Working in batches blend soup in blender (trust me....work in small batches, from previous experience large batches can create havoc on one's kitchen). ;) Haha! Serve with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese and crusty bread. Yum!!

Red or Green Enchilada Sauce.

Make a big batch and freeze!

Red Sauce
3 med tomatos
4 8oz cans tomoto sauce plus 3 cans water
1 small onion
1 serrano chile pepper
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 small handful fresh cilantro
lemon pepper and salt to taste

Blend all in blender or food processor, and season with lemon pepper and salt. Pour over your favorite enchilada recipe and enjoy!

Green Sauce
1 small red tomato
5-7 large tomatillos, roasted
1 small yellow onion
1 serrano chile pepper
2 chicken bouillon cubes
2 C water
1 small handfull cilantro
lemon pepper and salt to taste

Blend all in blender or food processor, and season with lemon pepper and salt. Pour over your favorite enchilada recipe and enjoy!

Fresh Tomato Basil Pasta

Another recipe my neighbor gave me that i haven't tried yet.

Serves 6

6-8 fresh basil leaves, cut up
1/3-1/2 cup chopped fresh chives
1/3 cup olive oil
4-5 gloves garlic, sliced
4 Cup fresh tomatoes, diced
1/2 Cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 pkg linguine or angel hair pasta

Heat olive oil and add sliced garlic cloves. Heat until hot (don't scorch) and mash garlic a little. In large bowl mix basil leaves and chives with cut up tomatoes. Cook pasta and drain. Remove garlic from oil and pour hot oil over tomato mixture; lightly salt and pepper. Combine with pasta. Crumbe cheese on top and serve immediately.

Basic Fresh Salsa

This recipe is great, and you can tweak it to your specific salsa tastes.

6-8 tomatoes, skinned*
1-2 onions
Juice of one lime or lemon
1/4 C chopped cilantro
Chopped Serrano or jalapeno pepper, to taste
1-2 t sea salt

Mix well and enjoy!

* To skin tomatoes: Clean tomato and remove stem. Cut a small X on bottom of tomato. Submerge in boiling water for about 1 minute, then immediately cool in ice water. The skins should slip right off.