A Bloody Good Idea For Your Tomatoes

By Phran Novelli

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - When life gives you tomatoes - make Bloody Marys! If you have more tomatoes than you can eat right now, drink them instead!

One of the easiest ways to make use of too many tomatoes is to smoosh them up into sauce, soup or something sippy; such as tomato juice or a cocktail mix. Look at the many recipes online, then create your own - you can peel tomatoes or not, smush them through a sieve or use a blender - but beware, if you buzz too much that ripe red tomato color turns a pale pink.

Taste your tomatoes so you know how much salt and pepper you want to add, along with some fresh lemon juice. Hot pepper and horseradish are optional - as are garden goodies like onions, chives, bell pepper, parsley and other herbs, then chill and serve with a stalk of celery to stir.

Whatever combination you concoct, you can add booze if you choose to quickly turn 'too many tomatoes' into your own Bloody Mary summer celebration libation.