Tomatoes with Pesto Vinaigrette

I don't know about you but I am tired of all the heavy, comforting dishes of the long winter months. Living in Canada the winter may even be longer than most of you can even imagine (in some provinces). I long for fresh summer flavours, warm sunshine and pots of fresh basil on my patio.

When I was at the market the other day I was lucky enough to have the very helpful sales associate direct me towards huge bags of basil...pesto size bags!!!! She recommended not putting it in the refrigerator, and, do you know, that that huge bag of basil stayed fresh for 2 weeks sitting on my counter top... at room temperature... in its zip lock bag. In the fridge it would have turned brown and wilted in a matter of days. Basil is my favorite herb so I have always found this to be the case. I have been enjoying fresh basil and reminders of warmer weather to come for weeks now. It doesn't take much to make me happy!!!

What also makes me happy is the response we have had for the Bloggeraid Cookbook. As you have already heard Val of More Than Burnt Toast and Giz of Equal Opportunity Kitchen and BloggerAid-Changing the Face of Famineare publishing a cookbook !!!There are no "head chefs" in this project. This is a collaboration of food bloggers and non "foodies" alike who have united to create awareness for world hunger. The group of talented bloggers committed to this project is growing by the minute!!!What better way to join together and "break bread" over some virtual wine and YOUR tasty dishes submitted to the cookbook!!! This project is HUGE but there is still room for YOUR recipe!!!

We all know that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the cookbook on Amazon will be directed to a specific program of the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations front line agency. The needs are great and we have their full approval!!!!!

You don't need to be a member of BloggerAid to submit a recipe. You just need a willingness to share your love of food around the world and want to be involved in raising awareness for the millions who cannot help themselves. There is no cost to you. No monthly fees. Just a sense of satisfaction that comes from participating in this exciting project and seeing your name and recipe in print.

Don't post your recipe...the cookbook will be the round-up where your recipe will be published. Once the cookbook has been published you can post or publish your recipe wherever you like...it will always be yours and you will always receive full credit.

What if my photo skills are not up to cookbook standards? I have seen all that you have to offer when I visit your blogs every day, but, if you like one of our team will recreate your recipe and photograph it for you. Submit a photo anyway because we are our own worse critics aren't we? Don't let that stop you!!!

Email your recipe in a plain text Word document along with a photo of your dish to bloggeraid(AT)gmail(DOT)com by February 12th the deadline for receiving recipes. Let's get the word out!!!!!

I am submitting this reminder of summer for the cookbook. This "Heirloom Tomatoes and Pesto Vinaigrette" is the perfect salad to remind us of warmer, sunfilled days. For now I will close my eyes and dream of warm summer nights and sunshine induced stupor...lying on our local beaches...reading my favourite novel.....

JOIN US.... BECAUSE YOU CAN