It is like the world has sighed a deep breath of relief. The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, and going outdoors is tolerable again.
It is like the world has sighed a deep breath of relief. The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, and going outdoors is tolerable again.
Caprese salad is something that I discovered much too late in my life.
I have always loved Italian food. In fact, pasta was always requested for my birthday dinner, and most big events or dinners have included an Italian restaurant. It still seems almost silly that I did not try my first Caprese Salad until I was in my mid twenties.
I remember the first bite of Caprese salad I had at my favorite Italian restaurant, and I was so amazed by the combination of flavor and texture. It was love at first bite.
Since that first taste, I have been creating different ways to enjoy this awesome flavor combination.
A few days ago, I was at my favorite grocery store Mariano’s (here is my post dedicated to this store’s wonderfulness), and they had an awesome selection of cherry and grape tomatoes, and I had an amazing idea.
I got some wooden skewers, tomatoes, bocconcini (small mozzarella), and a ton of fresh basil.
I skewered a tomato, wrapped the bocconcini in a basil leaf and put that on next, and then added another tomato.
I loved that I was able to use different color tomatoes.
Finally, I poured my favorite store bought Balsalmic viniegrette into a small dish for dipping.
Ta da! Portable and delicious and oh so easy! If only I could make every salad like this.
It is the dead of winter, my mind is on planning another vegetable garden, walking to the park, and ballet flats instead of boots. Typically winter doesn’t bother me, as I love the change of seasons, but this is the time of year I start getting a bit of spring fever.
Last week, I dug through my refrigerator and pantry. This is what I came up with. I love when I am able to mix some fresh ingredients and come up with something easy.
Greek Pasta Salad
1 lb tiny cut pasta like Orzo or Stelline cooked, drained and cooled
1 large bell pepper (I used yellow) chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes cut in half
1 large seedless cucumber chopped
1/2 red onion chopped
1/2 cup green olives pitted and coursely chopped
1/2 cup black olives pitted and coursely copped
5 oz Feta cheese crumbles
1/2 cup of your favorite balsalmic vinaigrette (I used Panera Bread brand)
Mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Serve room temperature or cold.
(NOTE: To keep pasta from becoming one big mass when cooling stir in a couple of teaspoons of olive oil and mix.)
What kinds of dishes get you thinking about springtime? Anyone else have plans for their garden this year?
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For a printable recipe card, click on the caption below, click Greek Pasta Salad, and then click download.
Yesterday, I shared my goals for 2013. Like most people, eating healthier is at the top of the list. I think it is hard to not want to eat healthier after a season of indulging in home made treats and butter laden food.
This past weekend, we hosted a bunch of friends for dinner and an autumn bon fire complete with s’mores. The menu consisted of two of my favorite autumn dishes. Grilled Brats and Orchard Salad.
This is a great meal for entertaining, but also for a weeknight dinner.
Grilled Brats
3 bottles of your favorite beer (I used Swithwick’s)
1 package Brats
1 package rolls
In slow cooker add brats and cover with beer. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6 hours. Preheat grill on medium heat. Remove brats from slow cooker and put on grill turning occasionally for about 10 minutes or until crispy. Serve with rolls and favorite mustard or grilled onions.
Orchard Salad
1 bag of pre washed Romain lettuce or two heads of romaine cleaned and chopped
1 large apple (Braeburn, Honeycrisp, Gala are some of my favorites) cored and sliced thin
1 large pear cored and sliced thin
8 oz sharp cheddar cheese (I use Kerry Gold Extra Sharp Cheddar) cut into thin slices
1/2 cup of dried cranberries
2 Tbs Apple Juice or Apple Cider
2 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 cup Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
In a large bowl add romain, apple, pear, cheese, and dried cranberries. In a separate bowl, add cider, vinegar, salt, pepper. While whisking the vinegar mixture, slowly pour olive oil until thoroughly combined. When ready to serve, drizzle dressing over salad.
It is worth mentioning that this meal tastes especially good with an ice cold beer and a Bears game, but that is of course optional.
So, once a year my buddy, Colleen and I try to have a
weekend away from the family to try and get some serious scrapbooking done. We
usually pick a weekend in the middle of winter and the goal is to try and
complete an entire album. This year, her mom offered to host us at her house
for the weekend. Which on a side note, Mrs. S’s house is gorgeous. It looks
like out of the pages of a Pottery Barn catalogue. So since there were no hotel
fees and being only 20 mins from home in case of emergency, I cooked up some treats for the weekend
as a Thank You to Mrs. S.