I am feeling a little sentimental today.
This weekend I was back in Massachusetts for my bridal shower, which my mom hosted down at my parents’ beach house. Eleven women that I love spent the whole weekend showering me with affection, pouring me wine, and celebrating my happiness. It. Was. Wonderful.
There’s something about everyone I love – and live so far away from! – coming together to celebrate me that just gets me. I think it’s safe to say that I’m going to be quite emotional at my wedding. Good thing I picked bridesmaids’ dresses with pockets – someone better bring the tissues!
In addition to reminding me how lucky I am, this weekend also reminded me of several of my mom’s recipes I can’t believe I forgot. One orzo salad in particular that I hope to bring you soon… oh man is it good.
Food is definitely love in my family!
As a bridal shower present, Nate’s mom had sent a huge box of spices, salts and other goodies out to Salt Lake a few weeks ago, and a huge bag of sulfite-free julienned tomatoes was one of the ingredients I was most excited to cook with. I knew they were destined for this recipe as soon as I saw the big orangey-red bag of them.
This spread is made mostly of rehydrated sun dried tomatoes, tomato paste, and olive oil. Spices and a bit of maple syrup add extra flavor and complement the sweet, fragrant tomatoes. The idea came from Bruegger’s Bagels sun dried tomato spread, which is famous (in my life) for being the key ingredient in their Herby Turkey sandwich. You should try that sandwich, if you haven’t already. Or just whip up a batch of this stuff yourself, cause it is goooood. And combined with feta, a fresh basil leaf, and these rosemary crisps, it is just out of this world!
This spread + creamy cheese + herbs. You need that combo in your life.
I knew I had a winner when Nate, who thought he wasn’t a sun dried tomato fan, admitted after one bite, “I guess I do like sun dried tomatoes.” That’s what I’m talking about!
After we finished stuffing our face with crackers and feta, we enjoyed the leftover spread on a grilled cheese. YUM – hiiiighly recommended. I also have a feeling it would be delicious on a grilled veggie sandwich or pretty much any kind of burger. Or spread on pizza or mixed into a soup? I must try all these things.
Starting with something sentimental and ending with obsessing over food – I feel like that’s pretty much par for the course in my blog posts these days.
I hope you all had just as delightful a weekend as I did. Also, I hope you’ll make this spread – it can only make life better. Grab some crackers and dig in!
- 2 cups julienned sun dried tomatoes (NOT soaked in oil)
- 6-oz can tomato paste
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp dried basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- crackers
- sliced feta cheese
- fresh basil leaves
- Place sun dried tomatoes in a small pot. Cover with cold water. Heat until hot but not boiling. Remove from heat and let sit for 30 minutes. Drain and place rehydrated tomatoes in the bowl of a food processor.
- Add remaining ingredients to the food processor. Process to a paste consistency, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Serve on crackers with feta and basil, or however you desire! Enjoy.
I love this idea! Looks like a very tasty spread, that required surprisingly little ingredients and effort.
That looks soooooo good. Just love sundried tomatoes in everything.
Wahooo! So happy to hear you had a fun bridal shower! I bet you’re getting more and more excited about the big day :D
This spread! I want to spread it on eeeeee’erything!
It looks so beautiful. I love the chunckiness of it, because it creates a good texture, and I love the use of the maple syrup to round up the flavors, elevating the sweet notes of the tomatoes. Awesome!
I’m so happy to hear you had a great weekend! It sounds like you are surrounded by so many wonderful women in your life, including your mother-in-law who sent you the basket.
I’m with Nate on the sun dried tomatoes; they’re not always my favorite, but that’s solely because of the texture. I love the flavor so I know I would demolish this spread in seconds…and I’m officially craving grilled cheese at nine o’clock in the morning. Thanks! ;)
This sounds SO awesome! I bet it would be great on a grilled cheese sandwich :)
Aww! I love being surrounded by family, too! I don’t live near my family, either, so it is always a super special time when we get together! And for you, an incredibly fun bridal shower! :)
My hubby’s aunt recently sent us a bag of dehydrated sun-dried tomatoes … I haven’t opened them yet. But now I know what they are destined to become! Gorgeous pics, by the way!!
I’m so happy you had such a wonderful time back home. Your bridal shower sounds perfect. What an exciting time for you and your family!!!
This sun dried tomato spread has me thinking of my next pizza recipe!!! Cannot wait to make this!
I totally understand your emotional moment. It must feel so good to be surrounded by all the people who truly care about you… I’d love to hear more about your adventure towards the wedding!
There is nothing better than being surrounded and showered by love. So glad to hear that you had such a wonderful experience. Thank you for sharing this delicious spread with us too!
Sounds like you had a lovely week of being showered with love + celebration. Congrats on your impending bridal glory!
And these look awesome.
This with risotto would, I think, make my life. YUM. Thanks so much for sharing!
Also, I think being about to get married just makes you more sentimental — it’s so hard for me to not say something like, “SO, I’M GETTING MARRIED AND I’M PRETTY EMOTIONAL ABOUT LIFE RIGHT NOW” in every blog post I write lately! Kudos to you for finding a great balance :)
Such a wonderful time to be surrounded by your closest friends and family. I loved all the family celebrations that came along with my sister’s wedding.
I was quickly checking my emails in a meeting when I saw a photo of this spread come through. Automatic Pavlovian response triggered! Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to get some sundried tomatoes from my darling Greek friends and give this one a try!