Lawson's Heirloom Tomato Pie

Nothing screams Fourth of July to me than a trip to the Farmers Market either in the Hamptons on Saturday morning or if I happen to be in the city of course Union Square on Wednesdays is awesome! When I am down south, Charleston SC has one of the best farmers markets in the country!

Find the Heirloom tomatoes and as many crazy colors as possible. Here's my southern fabulous recipe for you. Enjoy.

1 9 inch pastry shell (unbaked)
3 large colorful heirloom tomatoes thinly sliced
1 large Vidalia onion thinly sliced (it MUST be Vidalia) They're the sweetest!
cracked pepper
sea salt
1 cup fresh whole basil leaves
1 cup Dukes Mayonnaise. (Duke's is a southern brand. . but is AMAZING if you can get it)
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2  cup grated asiago
1/2 cup Gruyere

set oven to 375 and bake pie shell off for approx 12 minutes and let cool

Combine the mayo and the cheese

Place tomatoes on a paper towel and sprinkle with some sea salt to dehydrate a bit.

Place layer of tomatoes, then onions on top of that and then the layer of mayo and cheese spread and repeat until fill. Make sure to dot eat layer with fresh basil leaves. On the final layer chop of the basil and sprinkle on top.

Bake at 350 for approx 35 minutes or until golden brown.

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Operation Occupy Children for the Fourth!!!

It's no secret. Kids get bored easily even when playing out by the pool or the beach. Here's a fun crafts corner idea to keep them busy for a while. It's not too difficult and heck even we can have fun with them!!

What you'll need:

•   Household sponge

•   White printer or copier paper

•   Blue and red craft paint

•   Gold paint pen

•   Ruler

•   Pencil

•   Thumbtack

•   Pony bead

•   Scissors

•   Wooden dowel

How to make it:

1.Using A template as a guide, cut the white paper to a 7" square.

2.Cut a star shape out of a household sponge.

3.Squeeze blue paint onto a palette or paper plate. Dip sponge into paint, dab off excess, and press onto paper. Repeat design in several places. Clean out the sponge and repeat with red paint.

4.Use a gold paint pen to draw dots and curly lines on the paper to decorate it further. Let dry then turn over and decorate the other side.

5.Use a ruler and a pencil to lightly mark the paper according to the template. Cut diagonal lines toward the center, using the template as a guide.

6.Use the pencil to poke holes in the paper where indicated on the template.

7.Insert the thumbtack into the wooden dowel to create a hole. Remove

thumbtack.

8.Fold one of the corners (with a hole) toward the center of the paper. Insert the thumbtack through the hole. Bring the next corner up and under the first one, inserting the thumbtack. Repeat for all four then push the thumbtack through the center hole.

9.Holding the tack and the paper together with one hand, turn over and slide the pony bead onto the thumbtack, then insert the thumbtack into the dowel. This will add space between the paper pinwheel and the dowel.

Tips:

1.You can use a new pencil with an eraser instead of the dowel.

2.To shorten the dry time, only paint one side of the paper. When you begin folding, have the unpainted side facing up at you so that when folding over the corners, the designs will become visible.

Do not use card stock or poster board. That type of paper is too heavy and your pinwheel will not turn.

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Sensible Scents Around Food for your Fourth

I know what you're thinking. Who the heck wants to be bugged by all of these bugs this season. If you're from down south where it was unseasonably warm this Winter and quite wet this Spring, that means one thing. MOSQUITOES!!!!!

I can't stand them. I am always looking for ways to keep them away from us while still allowing for an enjoyable outing for the Fourth. I was recently in Yankee Candle and came across the  Bug Free Candles. These things are great!

One of the biggest problems  I have with citronella on tables or even around anywhere is that it smells so bad and without even trying can taint the smell of your food. These candles I have found do not have ANY scent at all and work exactly like Citronella!!!!! BONUS.

Here is what I am doing this season. Take 3 vessels and fill with water. Add blue food coloring to one, add red to another and leave the 3rd clear. This creates your red white and blue theme. Float the candles in them and you're all set.

(This shot taken from a recent NBC appearance I did)

It's an easy and chic way to keep the bugs away from the party!

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Red, White and Blue Potato Salad

Ok, this is taking color coordination a little far. However, given that you can get all three colors at your nearest market, why not right?!!

2 pounds small new potatoes, cut into 3/4 inch chunks, red, white, yellow, and/or blu

3/4 cup light sour cream

1/4 cup light mayonnaise

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese, optional

6 scallions, thinly sliced

4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

salt and pepper, to taste

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Add a pinch of salt and bring water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer potatoes until they are just fork tender, about 12-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the sour cream, mayo, and blue cheese (if using) together until smooth.

When potatoes are cooked, drain and toss them gently with the sour cream mixture until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper, cover with plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to one day.

Before serving, carefully fold in the scallions and top with the crumbled bacon. Serve immediately.

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Spice up your Fourth with this Fab Cocktail

As we continue offering you daily doses of lifestyle living leading up to your Fourth of July Celebration, it is time to offer the first of several cocktail options.  This one takes its lead from the latest rage and that's adding a little heat into your drink. 

• 1 ounce watermelon schnapps
• 1 big splash cranberry juice
• 1 very thin  slice of  serrano pepper
• 1 slice lemon
• 1 slice lime
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila
• 1/4 ounce blue curacao
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• Watermelon wedge, for garnish (optional)

It's simple: Here's how you make it!!!

Mix the schnapps and cranberry juice in a shaker; pour into an ice-filled glass.

Muddle the jalapeno pepper, lemon and lime slices, tequila, blue curacao and simple syrup (to make a batch, dissolve sugar in equal parts hot water and chill) in the shaker. Slowly strain into the glass over the red layer. Garnish with watermelon, if desired.

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Killer Crab Dip

Growing up down south, you find crab dip everywhere. Some chilled, some warm and most of it just so so. I have had this recipe that I have been making for years now. This however will mark the first time I will share it. It's nothing out of this world special about any of the ingredients. However, after the flavors marry, it is truly fabulous.

1 pound lump crab meat
1 teaspoon old bay seasoning
1 table spoon lemon juice
1 whole block shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup of Dukes Mayo
2 tablespoons hot sauce of your choice
1 tablespoon of horse radish
salt and pepper to taste

Now that's it. Mix all in a bowl and let sit in the refrigerator for 45 minutes to an hour and serve with crackers. If you're feeling frisky, you can add a block of cream cheese with chives in it and it takes it to an entirely new level!!

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Farm Fresh for your Fourth

Getting set for the big Fourth of July celebration? 

 In the couple of weeks leading up to the big day, 

I will give you all kinds of delicious goodness and crafty table scape ideas as well.

Every Fourth of July I always think of the grill! 

I thought it would be interesting to look at grilling something

 I have never done before. 

I have ventured into the world of the Avocado. 

Here is a fun recipe that I thought I would share with you. 

• 4  avocadoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Corn Salsa

• 8 ounces gold & white corn, strained
• 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
• 8 ounces black beans, strained
• 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped fine
• 1/2 medium white onion, diced
• salt & pepper
• corn chips, to serve with

Directions:

1. 1
   Heat grill to medium-high heat. Remove pits from avocados and brush first with lemon juice, then extra virgin olive oil.
2. 2
   Place avocados skin side down on grill for 2 minutes, turn and grill for 2 more minutes.
3. 3
   With a spatula, carefully remove avocados from grill and spoon salsa into seed pits.
   
   
   
   

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