The Extreme Caprese

NOTE: omit prosciutto if vegetarian. 

The classic caprese, stepped up.

COMBINE, TOSS, OR STACK

Tomatoes

Arugula or greens

Prosciutto

Buffalo Mozzarella or Fior di Latte cheese

sliced peaches or apricots

TOP WITH

green pesto, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper as needed. 

Candied Pecan & Swiss Salad

YUM. Contrast bitter greens with sweet pecans!
YOU NEED:
Candied Pecans [  you can toast or bake them with some brown sugar]
arugula, mixed greens, baby romaine, whatever
cucumber
tomato
a light vinaigrette, simple, like olive oil and lemon juice
cubed swiss cheese [ emmental or gruyere works.... actually, feta cheese would be amazing. goat cheese too. sharp cheddar.... just don't go for blue cheese, or bland mozzarella. we want a sharp contrast]

Warm Garlic Mushroom & Emmental Salad

A simple salad.

Top rocket/arugula [or mixed greens, spinach too]
garlic mushrooms: sliced, sauteed with a tiny bit of olive oil and some minced garlic, salt and pepper.\
shredded or diced emmental [swiss or gruyere also good]
optional: a light mustard or sherry vinaigrette. [dijon is key]

Shrimp, Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad

Looking for a low-cal salad? This one is filling too, i assure you.

YOU NEED:

for 1 portion, multiply accordingly for the amount of people needed:
6 shrimp, devein and peel.
1 cup mixed greens [arugula, baby spinach, baby romaine, frisee, endive, whatever]
1/2 cup chunks of watermelon and 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, onions optional
a handful chopped fresh mint\
a bit of crumbled feta
DRESSING: lemon juice, balsamic, olive oil, a bit of garlic.... be creative.

1. lay out a bed of salad.
2. toss with watermelon and tomatoes.
3. grill shrimp or fry.
4. add dressing and feta and mint.
5. serve.
2. toss with watermelon

Roasted Endive with Goat Cheese and Endive

YUMMY. just lay this out in a baking dish.

YOU NEED:

2 belgian endives, sliced thinly
balsamic vinegar\
2 cloves minced garlic
olive oil\
salt and pepper
oregano
goat cheese
pine nuts or any nuts

layer it all together and bake. sprinkle with dry oregano

Garlic & Spinach Spaghetti with Meatballs

YUMMY. boring spaghetti sauce, away!!

 sautee some fresh spinach with onions and mushrooms, in a pan with olive oil. chopped. add 3 cloves mined garlic, salt, and pepper.

boil pasta, drain.

put sauteed stuff in a pot with 1 jar tomato sauce. season to taste and let simmer. optional: basil, wine, fresh herbs

serve on pasta with lots of fresh parmesan.

Asparagus Caprese Salad

Add sauteed asparagus for a unique take on the caprese. yum!

1. blanche asparagus, 5 minutes until tender but still a little crunchy.

2/ toss with chopped cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh basil, and lemon juice/balsamic/olive oil.

3. top with sliced mozzarella.