MOZZARELLA TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Slice the tomatoes into 1/4 inch thickness. Drain cheese of any excess water and slice into 1/4-inch slices. Set aside. Chiffonade basil. Arrange the tomato and cheese slices so they over lap each other. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Top with the basil. Serve with crostini, Roasted Beet Napoleon and Chino Chopped Vegetable Salad.
• In a food processor, combine all the ingredients, except the olive oil and crostini. Using the pulse button, process until coarsely chopped and well blended. Continue to process, slowly adding the olive oil. Refrigerate in a covered container. Spread on homemade crostini, recipe follows.
• Arrange the bread slices in a baking tray. Brush with olive oil and bake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Allow to cool, then rub with garlic clove. For each of the crostini, spread 1 tablespoon Herbed Goat Cheese (recipe follows) and top with 1 teaspoon Black and Green Olive Tapenade.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• In a pot of boiling water, blanch tomatoes. Drain and refresh in ice water. Drain. Peel, core, cut into quarters, and remove seeds.
• Line a baking tray with parchment paper and arrange the tomato quarters on the tray, cut side down. Drizzle generously with olive oil. Sprinkle with thyme and garlic. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper and sugar, and sprinkle evenly over the tomatoes.
• Bake until the tomatoes begin to shrivel, about 1 hour. When the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, transfer to a container. Pour olive oil over and cover the container. Refrigerate and use as needed.