San Marzano Saturday! Our Daily Dinner

San Marzano Saturday!

chuckieb 7 years ago
Good morning everyone! It's a chilly one here in the Ottawa Valley! It was -22C/-7F when Jim and I woke up! Brrrrrrrrr.....

We were chatting about canned tomatoes recently and always having them as a staple in our pantry. I'd mentioned that I buy this ginormous tin at Costco. I think it's like $3.69 or $3.99 and it is 2.84L. A standard can of tomatoes is 596 ml. so this is basically 4 1/2 times bigger. They're wonderful tomatoes for cooking with. I googled them and reaffirmed that San Marzano tomatoes originate from the small town of San Marzano sul Sarno, near Naples, Italy, and were first grown in volcanic soil in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. How fun is that? The San Marzano was called "the most important industrial tomato of the 20th century"; its commercial introduction in 1926 provided canneries with a sturdy, flawless subject. Most San Marzano tomatoes sold commercially are grown in Italy, though they are produced commercially in smaller quantities in other countries.In San Marzano, the tomato harvest begins in August and runs through September. The crops are very delicate and all the tomatoes are picked by hand at the peak of their ripeness. Because of the close attention to quality, many cooks consider San Marzano tomatoes to be among the best in the world to use in a sauce.

The tomatoes are grown under very specific and strict rules and as such, authentic San Marzano tomatoes will have an official DOP (Denominazione d' Origine Protetta) on the can or jar, although there are domestically grown versions using the same seed varieties. It's comparable to the difference between French Champagne and sparkling wine from California. Because of their great flavour and texture, very little has to be done to them upon opening the can.

I'm going to have to look closer next time I buy some but I don't think the San Marzano tomatoes I get at Costco have that designation. But....that being said, they're the best canned tomato I've cooked with and that says something. :) Pic below to show you how big the can from Costco is! :)

Going to do a little jaunt to Almonte today, a small town nearby. One of their foodie shops "Dandelion Foods" is having an anniversary sale. It's a fun shop to check out so I'll do that and right close by is a Craft brewery where JIm can go and fill up his growler from his last visit. May also stop at a library and do a bit of family tree research.

Thinking of making Toasted Westerns for brekkie but haven't figured out what to make for dinner this evening yet. Sens Game on this evening.

Wishing everyone a lovely day!
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Cosmicmother 7 years ago said:

HI Janet, that must be really cold for you in Ontario since you have more of a humid climate! That's probably the same cold when we have -30's here, brrrr is right!! Wow, that is a huge can of tomatoes! I love San Marzano tomatoes, I find they are not acidic as most other types of canned tomatoes. I always thought if it said San Marzano then it has to come from that region. I've seen some brands label as roma tomatoes or plum tomatoes or Italian tomatoes etc..I'll have to read the labels better next time I buy them! Thanks for the info! :) Enjoy your jaunt to Almonte, and your family research!

I was on a roll yesterday cleaning and organizing, so I decided to do some exercises before having a shower. I usually do pilates, but I decided to use my new gym ball and do stretches on it first. My old gym ball was much smaller than this one and I should of known not to use it! But here I go--- I sit on it and lay backwards until my hands touch the floor so I get a good backwards bend with my feet on the floor and my head touching the ground. Well of course the ball is too big and my feet come off the floor, I lose my balance and roll sideways off the ball and land on my right side on top of my glass coffee table---with such a force that I break 3 legs and go down to the floor with the corner of the coffee table poking into my arm as we land!! The glass didn't break thank goodness! But my coffee table is toast and I have a sore arm. Colter came to my rescue and we cleaned up the debris and pulled out our old thick solid wood table from the basement so I have an unbreakable coffee table now, lol. I didn't realize how bad I hurt myself until I woke this morning and my upper arm is swollen as a grapefruit and purple! Blue bruises from my elbow to my shoulder, and a huge scrape and red poke mark in the center of purple swell from the corner of the table. I haven't had purple bruises like that since I was in my motorcycle crash. My side, hip and leg down to my ankle have blue, pink and yellow bruises too, so my whole right side.---The gym ball is banished to the basement until I get one the right size! ;)
We ended up having perogies last night so I'll make a big pot of minestrone soup today. I need to put ice on my bruises this morning so I have no plans as of yet. I'd love to get outside and take the dogs for a walk since the temperature is suppose to be a balmy high of -6C and sunny! Whoot whoot! LOL, well that is balmy weather considering the artic wind chill we've been having, practically t-shirt weather here ;)

Have a great day everyone! :)

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gaspesiangal 7 years ago said:

The temps are up to a balmy -14 now, brrr. I to love San Marzano tomatoes but the Costco that I shop at rarely has them. My second choice is cucina d'oro. I find that I really have to read the labels as some brands say San Marzano style, not the same thing.
Enjoy your jaunt to Almonte. I haven't been there in years but I do remember the beautiful buildings and the river.
Goodness gracious Shona!! Is it possible that you've broken a bone? Do keep icing the bruises and hopefully the swelling will come down.
Not much new here. I hope to finish up the laundry and give the house a good cleaning. Dinner will be the usual Sat. night special...grilled steak and shrimp with baked potatoes and caesar salad. I'm thinking of making Asian tomorrow if I have any ribs in the freezer. Lol, it's like Mr. Dressup's tickle trunk...I never know what I'll pull out of it.
Wishing everyone a great day.

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Good4U 7 years ago said:

Yes, it is cold here, Janet! Cold enough to open the Rideau Canal for skating today. Very interesting info about the San Marzano tomato. Have fun in Almonte today!

Oh My Goodness Shona, your bruises sound nasty! Take good care of yourself, please!
Enjoy your soup and maybe take the dogs for a wee walk.

Den did the grocery shopping this morning. We didn't really need much except kleenex which I forgot to pick up the other day. I have some sort of allergy, I don't know to what? t I go into sneezing fits a couple of times a day and I always need a kleenex box close by. We had MacDonald's for brunch and then Den shoveled the walkway to the backyard but he said it was very hard and icy so he did what he could do then put down some salt and sand on it b/c one day this week it is supposed to get way above freezing. He is now vacuuming the basement! He is on a roll today! He will be having his normal fare of cheeseburgers and fries and I don't know what I am going to have at the moment.

Linda, Thinking of you and your DB HUGS))))

Hi, Marie, Michelle, Bren and Karen and anyone else MIA.

Wishing everyone a great day!

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

Oh no Shona @ your exercise ball mishap. It sounds like it would have really hurt! Poor you! Ugh on the coffee table. And ugh on all your black and blue bruises. Goodness.

Good luck with your laundry and house cleaning Bren. I would LOVE to have your dinner tonight! Here it is almost 2 p.m. and I haven't a clue what to make and I HATE that pressure. :)

Ya, it's nice that the Canal opened today alright Joce. Goodness on your allergy. Hope it goes away soon. Nice of McDonald's for brunch. I'd love cheeseburgers and fries as well. :)

We didn't end up going to the library as they close by 1. Dandelion Foods was busy and I bought a few neat things. I bought some neat looking pasta.Strascinati pugliesi, some lavender flower tea and a new Mocha drink made with almond milk. I had a taste test and it was very yummy.

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

Okay....decided on Hot Turkey sandwiches and a veggie tray for dinner.

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MissouriFarmWife 7 years ago said:

Yum on the San Marzano tomatoes Janet! I hope to plant Romas this spring.....very good canned. Dandelion Foods must be a cool place to browse. Big Lots sometimes has Italian made pasta, which GS can eat bec it doesn't have artificial or GMO anything.

Ugh on your fall, Shona. Hope your injuries improve. Glad Colter was there to help. Hmm....I do have pieroges on hand. Otherwise no idea what to have for supper.

Gee, Bren, we have a balmy 34F here, with ice melting from the trees. Ran down to check on the neighbor and about flew off their wooden steps, they had not put anything on the steps to melt ice. Had a cup of coffee and headed home.

Joce, good for Den vacuuming the basement. I need to sweep or vacuum the living room and kitchen, or else.

The electricity has been out from about 3:00 to 12:45 or so. No problem except the whole house generator didn't come on. Wayne called the repair guy, no answer yet. Thank goodness for the wood stove, I put a pan of water on to heat but power did come back on before the water heated. It evidently affected a huge area, we are 40 miles from two of the four affected towns, Wayne thinks the constant flickering in lights last night might have tripped a breaker / plug / switch, ?? In the generator. He will check it later this afternoon.

We also lose water when the power is out. I keep distilled on hand as a backup.

The fog has thickened. At least it is not super cold. Guess I better go do something productive. See you later.

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Good4U 7 years ago said:

I would love your dinner, Bren!
Sounds like you scored a few neat things at Dandelion Foods, Janet. Well, aside from my allergies it seems like now I have succumbed to a cold:( I took some cold medication and I am waiting for it to kick in. My nose is running like a tap Ugh!

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

Well that's a pain the whole house generator didn't come on when it was supposed to Karen. :( We too lose water if the electricity is out. We have a water cooler for drinking water but Jim's been known to cut a hole in the ice on the pond and bucket brigade water for flushing to the house.

Aw Joce. Sorry to hear a cold got its hooks in you :( Rest up and keep warm. Feel better.

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kimmer 7 years ago said:

Good afternoon all.
My goodness Shona! Hope you heal quickly but thinking thank goodness the glass didn't break which could have caused you far more injury!!
Sounds like you did get some neat things Janet. Glad the power is back on Karen.
Had a delightful lunch with two girlfriends today. Went to Panera Bread. I'm not a huge fan but that's where they wanted to go. Just had a bowl of french onion soup with half a baguette, which was good. Making this Italian Meatloaf that I saw on FB this morning for dinner tonight. http://77easyrecipes.com/italian-meatloaf/ Had most all the ingredients already. Just had to stop for sausage and a bit more mozzarella. I usually only make "my" meatloaf so will see how it turns out. Been in such a rut cooking wise lately now that holidays are over. Wanting to try some new ideas. Will have mashed taters and maybe a green bean or two with.

Off to catch up on some chores myself. Just remembered I put a load of towels in the wash before I left for lunch. Meant to ask hubs to put them in the dryer but forgot. And my house needs vacuumed oh.so.bad! Can't help but think my dog should be bald by the amount of hair I vacuum up on a regular basis!
Hugs too for you Linda.

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

My hubby loves meatloaf Kimmer but I'm afraid I'm not a fan so he never gets it poor guy. :) That's nice you got out for some GF time. :) Good luck with your chores.

Linda, do touch base if you get a chance and feel up to it. Gentle hugs.

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MissouriFarmWife 7 years ago said:

Can identify with toting flushing water Janet. We installed a hand pump and battery pump on the well so either truck battery or a hand pump will draw water. Or we have gone down to the creek and brought it up by the bucket load. The repair guy will be out Monday since the power is back on, fine with us. He said he never has had problems with this model and is puzzled.

Boo on the cold, Joce. Wayne's allergies...sinus are acting up, there is something making the rounds that starts with sinus, bronchitis, then flu, I don't want it.

Hi Kimmer! Panera French onion soup is sometimes great, if you order it early in the day, can be not so good if you get it later. We found go there and I like the "clean" food advertisements. Good you had a nice time.

Fritz is jockeying for position on Wayne's lap, he wants the lion share of the chair.

Have a nice day.

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LindaLMT 7 years ago said:

Hi all. Long story short I brought DH home today after a major drama episode yesterday. They put another patient in his room and he flipped! Packed his bag and was leaving. I get a call to hurry up and come because they can't force him to stay and of course he's in no condition to leave. His one therapist was on the floor and he talked him down till I got there. They were able to move him down a floor to a private room so DH agreed to stay overnight and to discharge properly tomorrow. I'm truly dealing with a person who is mentally compromised. When we got home he spent an hour exploring the house and looked so puzzled to see everything packed up. Thank God he is on Xanex and an anti depressant. The homecare nurse comes out tomorrow to assess everything and set up his therapist visits and the private nurse I hired comes Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. To 1:30 so I have time to run errands, take a shower ... that sort of stuff. I just hope this gets better. I know in my heart I need to sell the house in SC and it breaks my heart to do it but I can't see moving DH and it'll take months for his cognition to start working and I doubt it'll ever be the same.

Shona I'm so sorry to hear how bad you hurt yourself on that dang ball. Hope you heal soon. And look into Kava for anxiety ... take it from someone who knows anxiety. I've been using it since DH's stroke, it helps level my nerves without clouding my head.

Nice piece about the tomatoes Janet.

Not a good way to find out your generator zonked out Karen. Hope it's an easy fix and it doesn't give you anymore problems.

Hi Joce and Kimmer and Bren and Michelle and Marie and Tina and Laurie. Think I got everyone.

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LindaLMT 7 years ago said:

In that DH's release date was suppose to be the 20th, then a few days ago got moved up to the 16th and then in an instant the 14th ... I've been super busy putting the house back in a functional order even though everything that's not needed is still packed I had to move everything around and too I had not cleaned since before 12/23 all the while still visiting him 2x day and managing all the other stuff ...

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MissouriFarmWife 7 years ago said:

Linda, I hope things settle down for you. Prayers for both of you. Hang in there and don't be afraid to ask for help. You do seem to be handling things super well. There are decisions to be made ahead, but for now you have initiated a good plan for his care and are looking after his interests.

Meanwhile, couldn't they put him in a private room? He seems to do better in his own room, and maybe could tolerate a room mate as he improves.

Take care and please feel free to vent any time!

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LindaLMT 7 years ago said:

It's a hospital and it is what it is ... Some units are private rooms and other units not. So best he home without all the drama and receive the care here. It's a lot on me either way but for now I'm receiving help.

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