Mahasti was up early this morning (heck, she’s up early every morning), sharing this recipe for 7-Layer Dip on WBIR. If you didn’t catch her on air, you can check out the recipe below. Plus, we’ll be serving it at the restaurant all day today.

Tomato Head’s Super Bowl Sunday 7-Layer Dip

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup chopped onion
¼ cup oil
1.5 Tbs ground cumin
¾ tsp. Salt
1 cup water

Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent. Add ground cumin and salt. Sauté one minute longer. Add water and bring to boil. Remove from heat and mash with a potato masher until 50% of beans have broken up.

Can be made up to this point one day ahead.

To assemble dip:

1 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey jack cheese

Place beans in a 1.5 to 2 quart baking dish. Cover with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Place the dish in a 350 degree oven just until cheese has melted. If you made your beans a day ahead leave the beans in the oven longer until they heat up and cheese melts.

1 cup shredded lettuce
½ cup diced onion
½ cup sliced black olives
½ cup diced tomatoes
½ cup sour cream
Your favorite hot sauce

Remove beans from oven – top with shredded lettuce, onion, tomatoes, black olives, sour cream and hot sauce. Serve with corn chips

Serves 4.

If you are expecting more of a crowd you can double the recipe.

Dale Mackey’s work just wrapped up showing in Knoxville at The Tomato Head’s Market Square location and will begin its run at Tomato Head Maryville on February 6. The show will be on display throughout February.

A reception for the artist will be held in Maryville on February 7, 2010, 5pm-7pm at The Tomato Head. All are invited to join in the art and the fun.

Join The Tomato Head, friends and art-lovers of the area for a closing reception honoring artist Leslie Hatten. Hatten’s work is currently on exhibit at the Maryville Tomato Head and has shown throughout January. Hatten’s work appeared at the Knoxville location of the restaurant throughout December. Come speak with the artist and enjoy some convivial time. Reception begins at 7pm.

We decided to hold a two-day fundraising effort to support disaster relief in Haiti because it just felt right. We wanted to do something to help, so we announced that five-percent of all sales from Friday, January 15 and Saturday, January 16, would be donated to aid efforts. We hoped for a good outcome and braced ourselves for (hopefully) two busy days.

Wow.

Upon posting the announcement to Facebook there were immediate responses, immediate activity from the Twitter feed and local news and entertainment media helped spread the word. We’d like to thank everyone who helped support the effort, especially to those customers who ate with us in Knoxville and Maryville those days. You helped raise $1,154, which was donated to Doctors Without Borders on Monday afternoon.

To our staff, who initiated the idea, and to everyone who took part, a sincere thank you. We’re proud to be a part of a community that gives to those in need and we’re pleased to be a part of making it possible.

Mahasti & Scott & the whole T-Head Crew

It’s MLK Day…Tomato Head will be open today, regular hours.

Upon hearing the news of the extensive devastation in Haiti caused by the recent earthquake, the staff and owners of Tomato Head knew they wanted to do something to help.

On Friday, January 15 and Saturday, January 16, The Tomato Head restaurant will donate five-percent of all sales to support disaster relief efforts for Haiti, including Doctors Without Borders. Both the Maryville and Knoxville locations of the restaurant will be participating.

WHO: The Tomato Head Restaurant
Serving innovative pizzas, sandwiches, salads and specials since 1990, The Tomato Head’s focus on great food extends from homemade breads, dressings, salsas, dips and desserts all the way to the peppers that are pickled in house.

WHAT: A donation of five-percent of all sales occurring on Friday, January 15 and Saturday, January 16, will be given to efforts supporting disaster relief in Haiti, including Doctors Without Borders.

WHEN: Friday, January 15 and Saturday, January 16
Knoxville location, 11am – 10:30pm (both days)
Maryville location, 11am – 9pm (both days)

WHY: The Tomato Head restaurant is committed to sustainable practices and community engagement. By acting locally to raise funds for this humanitarian effort, the restaurant can extend its reach to the global community that needs help most.

WHERE: Knoxville, TN—located in downtown Knoxville at 12 Market Square (865.637.4067) & Maryville, TN—located in downtown Maryville at 211 Broadway (865.981.1080).

HOW: Diners eating at The Tomato Head on Friday, January 15 or Saturday, January 16 will be supporting the Haiti disaster relief effort, no matter what food they select or the size of the order. Five-percent of all sales will be donated.

January 2010
Knoxville, 1/2-2/6: Dale Mackey
Maryville, 1/3-2/7: Leslie Hatten

February
Knoxville, 2/6-3/6: Robert Batey
Maryville, 2/7-3/7: Dale Mackey

March
Knoxville, 3/6-4/3: Julie Armburster
Maryville, 3/7-4/4: Robert Batey

April
Knoxville, 4/3-5/1: Todd Witcher
Maryville, 4/4-5/2: Julie Armbruster

May
Knoxville, 5/1-6/5: Diana Rogers
Maryville, 5/2-6/6: Todd Witcher

June
Knoxville, 6/5-7/3: Julie Bernal
Maryville, 6/6-7/3: Diana Rogers

July
Knoxville, 7/3-8/7: Jarrod Justice
Maryville, 7/3-8/8: Julie Bernal

August
Knoxville, 8/7-9/4: Zach Jones
Maryville, 8/8-9/5: Jarrod Justice

September
Knoxville, 9/4-10/2: Steph Huntz
Maryville, 9/5-10/3: Zach Jones

October
Knoxville, 10/2-11/6: Patrick McInerey
Maryville, 10/3-11/7: Steph Huntz

November
Knoxville, 11/6-12/4: Jonathon Howe
Maryville, 11/7-12/5: Patrick McInerey

December
Knoxville, 12/4-1/1: Heather Middlebrook
Maryville, 12/5-1/2: Jonathon Howe

The Maryville/Alcoa Jaycees Christmas Parade will be ho-ho-ho-ing right by our front door Saturday, Dec. 12 at 11:00 a.m. (Yes, we’ll be open!)

The Palace Theater is also screening some holiday favorites, which is a great opportunity for dinner and a movie.

Thursday Dec. 17 & Saturday Dec. 19 at 7:00 p.m. “White Christmas” with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney.

Friday Dec. 18 at 7:00 p.m. you can catch “It’s a Wonderful Life” with, well, you know who.

The Tomato Head is open! In fact, we’ll be operating with regular business hours until Christmas Eve.

And starting today, Market Square and Downtown Knoxville host a number of holiday celebrations. Come and enjoy!

*Outdoor Christmas Village on Market Street with market, caroling, marshmallow roasting and shopping (Nov. 27 12-9 p.m., Nov. 28 12-5 p.m.).

*Lighting of the 38 ft. First Tennessee Foundation tree (Nov. 27)

*Ice Skating on the Square!

*Fantasy of Trees (at the Convention Center)

*Shopping galore at all of the Market Square and downtown businesses

Plenty of activities to work up a good appetite…see you at The Tomato Head!