Tuesday, June 1, 2010


I'm back! I spent the weekend here...
at the Jersey Shore with my husband's family. It was 3 glorious days, spent in the sun, on the beach, with lots of kids, books and food. The weather was perfect and I really enjoyed my weekend. I totally unplugged this weekend from not only the computer but my cell phone too. I forgot my charger in NY by accident, so it wasn't totally on purpose that I had no cell phone, but I have to say it was awesome. 


Saturday night we had a big barbeque with lots of amazing food. One of my co-workers at school gave me a Rachael Ray magazine that was all about grilling. After flipping through it I knew what I wanted to make for Saturday night...skewers! My mother in law will basically let me cook anything. She just lets me do whatever I want...she's very trusting. 
Yum. They were so good.  I have a couple of recipes to share from this weekend, but I wanted to start with what I thought was the most amazing thing....artichoke pesto stuffed tomatoes. 
I didn't take as many pictures as I would have normally because I was trying to cook and get everything ready. So I don't have a ton, but trust me these are an amazing appetizer or side dish. 
I only used one skewer, but you should add another so the tomatoes 
do not flip over when removing from the grill.



Artichoke Pesto Stuffed Tomatoes
6 plum tomatoes (cut in half lengthwise)
1 can artichoke hearts (cut into small pieces)
2 cups basil
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 glove garlic, minced
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste


In a small bowl combine the basil, parmesan cheese, garlic and salt and pepper. Take an immersion blender and mix all of the ingredients. After mixed, stream in the olive oil. (You can also use a blender.) After the pesto is combined, mix in the chopped artichoke. 


Take the tomatoes and spoon out the seeds. Put the tomatoes on 2 skewers and then spoon the pesto into the tomatoes. Grill for about 10 minutes. 
This was my favorite thing I ate all weekend. What was yours??

21 comments:

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

Where do you guys go? We go to Cape May every year!

Abby said...

Those peppers look delicious! I might try them.. I don't think my hubs would be a fan, but I have no problem eating them myself!!!

whataboutsummer said...

there may or may not be drool on my desk haha looks good!

Chef Dennis said...

my wife would love those tomatoes!!!
thanks so much for sharing!
My wifes mother has a house in ocean city, we should have gone, it was soooo hot here.

pegasuslegend said...

Those pesto tomatoes are awesome great idea and the weekend looks just perfect glad you have fun!

Kat said...

Oh my gosh! Those look so fantastic! I have never even heard of a stuffed tomato before....this would be so great as a side dish for a bbq!!

Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen said...

Looks like such a great time! Unplugging is so great sometimes! If you have the beach and family...you don't need the outside world. Those tomatoes look so good!

Jennifer @ shesafitchick said...

Glad you had a nice weekend! Those skewers look AMAZING. Those are seriously like my favorite things to grill in the summer.

Evelyn @ cheers2healthy said...

Those stuffed tomatoes look awesome! Totally a summer food! I wish I had a grill to BBQ on : P

erica said...

Aww your family is so cute! I am saving this tomato artichoke recipe! It looks awesome!

Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) said...

love the beach pic! so glad you had this time!

kudoskookies said...

Everything on your grill looks amazing! I'm going to have to try those pesto tomatoes. They sound and look wonderful! Your beach photos are so cute. I'm sure everyone worked up quite an appetite. Good times!

Lindsay @ http://pancakesnpajamas.blogspot.com/ said...

The tomatoes look incredible. So simple and fresh. I've been leaving my phone on silent in the evenings to let me unplug a little lately. I have to admit it feels nice to not be chained down to my phone.

Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly said...

YUM! This entire post is definitely drool worthy! I am glad you got to get away and enjoy a weekend free of technology. We all need that!

Melissa @ For the Love of Health said...

Nicole- everything looks so good! The skewers look perfect, tasty and so colorful!
So awesome you had a great weekend!

fitandfortysomething.com said...

oh Nicole,
what a fabulous weekend and a great way to usher in the summer!
we can make it!

Faith @ lovelyascharged said...

Yummy! Those pesto tomatoes look so refreshing! My favorite weekend dish was the portabello burgers I grilled up - such a fab meatless BBq option!

hbobier @ Basil Vodka said...

Is it bad to say my favorite thing to eat all weekend was beer? Because it was. Lots of beer and salads and grilled veggies. Glad to see you were able to spend the long weekend outside!

Travel Eat Love said...

Oh my gosh, what a spread! I can almost feel that beachy relaxation from this post!

Belinda @zomppa said...

Sounds like a lovely weekend! And what a grill to end a wonderful day at the beach.

Emily Malloy (Ziegler) said...

The hubby's family has a house in Avalon! Where do you go?!

The tomatoes are gorgeous, too!

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