I never thought that what I would do with my very first tomato of  this summer’s garden would be to make a pizza. The times I’ve had a tomato plant in the past (and that was over five years ago) I usually just did the standard BLT. Which is great, don’t get me wrong, and I’m still looking forward to my ultimate summer lunch of a BLT and fresh blueberry pie, probably in August. But today’s ode is to a pizza.

All last week I was busy with the usual schedule of work and kids, but with all three here full time, it seemed like more than usual. Then on Thursday my stepson went to his mom’s for the weekend, and on Friday the little ones went to my parents for the weekend. And on Saturday morning, I picked the first red tomato off my Rutgers tomato plants. They’re pretty heavy with green tomatoes, but it seems like it’s taken forever for any to ripen.

I think it was something about having the house to myself, or maybe it was the fact that I went to the grocery store by myself and was able to think things through. Whatever the inspiration, I realized that I had a small pizza crust, a block of Parmesan cheese in the refrigerator, and this new tomato, plenty of ‘Sun Sugar’ cherry tomatoes and fresh basil from the garden as well. All I needed to make a gourmet pizza was some mozerella cheese.

So that’s what became of my little red tomato. It joined a couple of tiny orange tomatoes and bright green basil to make one of the best pizzas I’ve ever eaten. Better than anything I've paid up to $10 for in a restaurant. I took pride in the fact that I grew three of the main ingredients. And I enjoyed that pizza immensely even more in a silent house. Here’s to celebrating the simple pleasures in life.

What are your favorite recipes for utilizing your summer harvest?