Recipe by Mary MacCallum of Sierra Root Wellness

Last month I took a class for “Medicinal Uses for Culinary Herbs” presented by Clinical Herbalist, Mary McCallum, owner of Sierra Root Wellness. This class really opened my eyes to the many different ways you can use herbs by incorporating them into food, infusing oils, making salves, creating tinctures and so much more! As we start to approach fall and winter I want you to remember that herbs have many benefits to healing from colds to wounds to sleep, to overall wellness.
 
Mary shared with me a recipe that uses so many herbs and tastes so amazing. You can get almost all of these items in our market.

Ingredients

5 medium ripe tomatoes
6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar or infused vinegar of choice
3 large cloves garlic chopped
2 Tbsp fresh thyme chopped or 1 Tbsp dried
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup chopped fresh mint
15 leaves basil or a large handful
½ tsp red pepper flakes (if you like the spice)
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

1. Rinse the tomatoes, then with a paring knife remove their stem.
2. With a serrated knife (bread knife) cut the tomatoes in slices
3. Then cut the tomato slices into small dice of similar size.
4. In a bowl, add the diced tomatoes while draining some of their liquid, extra
virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, crushed and peeled garlic cloves, sea salt,
pepper, and basil leaves +herbs that you tear apart with your hand or chop.
5. Mix well with a spoon until all the ingredients are well combined. Taste
and if necessary, adjust flavor. Let marinate at room temperature for about 10 –
15 minutes
 
*Serve with fresh toasted bread or crackers of your choice and enjoy the
healing benefits of your herbal pals!