Simple Tomato Caprese Salad

 

Here is a SIMPLE and delicious recipe for those tasty garden cherry tomatoes!

Image from Here

Salad:
Salad Greens
Sliced cucumber
Sliced avocado
Fresh Mozzarella cheese balls
Sliced red onion
Cherry Tomatoes

Freshly Ground Pepper

Toasted almonds or pistachios (optional)

Dressing:
Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze

Greek Salad Protein Bowl

Beautiful and Delicious.  

I crave Greek food now. Something about the combination---YUM!

Ingredients:

Spinach

Cabbage

Cucumbers

cherry tomatoes

pumpkin seeds

feta

avocado (sprinkle with salt/pepper)

Chickpeas (either canned or the crunchy ones)

chicken

Microgreens

Hummus

Almonds

Tzatiki yogurt sauce (optional-the one from Trader Joes is delicious if you want to buy it)

Salad Dressing:

I like to either use Olive Garden Italian Dressing or 

this homemade Divine Lemon Basil Caesar Dressing or

this homemade Lemon-Herb Tahini sauce

 

Curry Egg Toast

 

Super simple, quick, and delicious!  This is a slight variation on the classic fried egg toast you may want to try!  Seasoning with curry creates this subtle sweetness and is an unexpected delicious twist.  My son gets credit for this idea--Thanks Bradford!

Image from here.

INGREDIENTS:

Egg

Toast

Honey (or hot honey which has a subtle heat kick)

avocado

salt/pepper/CURRY

*crumbled bacon-optional

DIRECTIONS:

While your toast is toasting...Fry up an egg in a cast iron skillet.  Season with salt, pepper, and CURRY.  Cook to desired doneness (is that even a word?).  Butter your toast, top with your fried egg, sprinkle with bacon and some avocado slices.  Drizzle with a little honey.  Enjoy a delicious and healthy start to your day!

Gourmet Garden Greek Salad

This is a "lettuce-less" salad.  This is so colorful and fresh.  Summer is here!

Image Credit Here

INGREDIENTS:

Combine in a bowl a combination of the following:

Tomatoes

diced red onion (a little goes a long way)
Fresh Chives
Fresh Basil/Parsley
Cucumber
Celery
Red Pepper
Avocado
Feta Cheese

Garbonzo Beans

Kalamata or black olives

Fresh pepper

-Toss salad with Olive Garden Dressing and garnish with a little Balsamic Glaze

Egg Toast with avocado and honey

 

So so good.  So so simple.  This is a great meal for one!

Egg toast is kind of a comfort food for me now.  It is a great breakfast, but if we have this just as often for dinner!  This is not something I grew up eating.  There are several variations.  Make it your own!  The picture kind of says it all, so no directions here!

Image from Here.

Toasted Sourdough

Avocado (season with pepper/garlic salt)

Fried Egg (cooked to your preference) seasoned with salt/pepper

Drizzle of honey (or Trader Joes Spicy Honey)

This is the spicy honey from Trader Joes.  This gives the perfect subtle heat kick!

Layered Avocado Toast

 

This is a simple meal or snack that leaves you feeling satisfied!  It actually is a FAVORITE breakfast of mine.

Layer 1: Cracked Wheat Sourdough, toasted

Layer 2: Spread with thin layer of pine nut (sabra brand) or Mediterranean hummus (Trader Joes brand)

Layer 3: Smashed avocado (season with garlic herb seasoning and salt/pepper)

Layer 4: micro greens

*You can use any bread you'd like, but my favorite bread to use is the Trader Joes Cracked Wheat Sourdough or Wheat Sourdough.

*A layer of hummus may sound weird but give it a try!  If you're not a fan, just leave it off and stick with three layers.

BBQ Chicken Salad

This is a recreation of Cheesecake Factory's' BBQ Chicken Salad.  Feel free to add additional ingredients that sound good to you...I'm all about LOTS of toppings with my lettuce!

Image Credit: Valentinas Corner

Salad:
Romaine lettuce
Cheddar or Monterrey Jack cheese
1 c. white or yellow corn
1 c. black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tomatoes, diced
2 c. tortilla strips
3 c. chopped grilled chicken

Crispy Onions (can be found on Salad Dressing aisle)

optional: chives, cucumber, sprouts

BBQ ranch Dressing:
1 c. homemade ranch
3 TBS BBQ sauce
1 TBS fresh lemon or lime juice

Citrus Beet and Avocado Salad

 

Image Credit: Chelsea's Messy Apron

My sister and I made this recipe together.  So now every time I make it I think of her!  I love that about cooking.  It rekindles memories and reminds us of friendships and family.  

This salad is so beautiful and delicious.  It is a nice and creative switch up to your typical salad.  If you can't find all of the different kinds of oranges, just use 1-2 kinds.

Orange Vinaigrette Dressing:

2 TBS fresh navel orange juice + 1 tsp zest

1 tsp dijon mustard

2 TBS honey

2 TBS apple cider vinegar

2 TBS olive oil

salt/pepper

Salad:

4 beets

2 naval oranges

2 tangelos

2 cara cara oranges

2 blood oranges

2 avocados

1/3 c. goat or feta cheese

1/3 c. coarsely chopped lightly salted pistachios

Optional-but highly recommend!: fresh mint or basil

Mediterranean Charcuterie Board

 

Here's another idea for a Charcuterie Board.  

Fill it will all sorts of amazing toppings to make a gyro or falafel taco or salad.

Falafel

Spinach

Greens

Cucumber Yogurt sauce

pickled onions

banana peppers

kalamata olives

pickles

cucumbers

tomatoes

bell peppers

sprouts

gyro meat

Cheesecake Factory Chopped Salad

This is a favorite salad of mine.  When my mom treats me to lunch on shopping dates...we always get one of these!  This copycat recipe is really good!

Ingredients:

Chopped Romaine

diced tomatoes

grilled chicken

chopped Granny Smith apple

crumbled bacon

sliced avocado

corn

Salad Dressing:

1/2 c. light olive oil

4 TBS balsamic vinegar

1 tsp dijon mustard

1 minced garlic clove

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 TBS chopped shallot (or red onion)

3 TBS chopped fresh parsley

Avocado Cranberry (Craisin) Salsa

I remember having this over 10 years ago at a friend get together---I love when I come across old recipes that immediately take me back 

in time and bring back great memories!!

Picture and Recipe from SoupAddict

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
• zest from one orange
• juice from 1/2 of a lime
• 2 tablespoons honey or agave
• 1 minced jalapeno seeds and ribs removed
• 2 tablespoons red onion finely chopped
• 2-4 ripe avocados peeled and sliced into 1/4"-inch dice
• 3/4 cup cranberries
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
• Coarse salt and ground pepper

Instructions

• Optional: blanch the cranberries for 30 seconds in boiling water, then plunge them into ice cold water. This softens the cranberries slightly and takes off their raw edge.
• Chop the cranberries roughly (do not put through a food processor - they'll get mushy), and pat them dry to remove their pink liquids.
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the lime and orange juices, orange zest, honey, jalapenos and red onion.
• Gently fold in the avocados, cranberries, and cilantro. Season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Serve with pita or tortilla chips.

Salmon Tacos with Cucumber Slaw & Guacamole

Another recipe from Ina Garten with a few changes to my taste...

Again, we've become fish taco fans.  This is our other favorite fish taco recipe!

Image from here.

Flour or Corn Tortillas

Slaw

3/4 lb green cabbage, cored and finely shredded 

1 seedless English cucumber, unpeeled, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced
3 TBS  white or red wine vinegar
1/2 c. sour cream
3 Tbsp minced fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
-Combine all ingredients in a bowl and let marinate in fridge

Salmon

Olive oil, for greasing the pan 

salmon fillet, skin removed 

-Sprinkle salmon with chipotle chile powder, fresh lime zest and lime juice, salt, pepper

--Bake 425 for 20-25 minutes until just cooked through

Build Taco and top with:
-Guacamole:  avocados, seeded and peeled-mash adding 1/2 tsp Sriracha per avocado, salt/pepper.

Tilapia Fish Tacos with Mango Peach Salsa

I had never had a fish taco until about three years ago.  To many that may be crazy!  It always sounded a bit weird to me, but I finally made the plunge...and now it is a family favorite!  We especially like this in the summer, but anytime is good.  Trader Joes is a great place to get your tortillas, breaded, tilapia, sprouts, chili lime seasoning, and peach/mango salsa!

Image from here.

Breaded Tilapia (bake according to box directions and cut into strips)
Flour or corn tortillas
sliced avocado
Trader Joes Peach/Mango Salsa (or another favorite brand or a fresh salsa works great too)
sliced radishes
sprouts
Cabbage Slaw (see recipe below)
*jalapenos optional
*limes for serving
*Chili Lime seasoning from Trader Joes for extra flavor/kick

Cabbage Slaw 16 oz:
red/green cabbage
shredded carrots
Coleslaw Dressing:
1/2 c. sour cream
3 TBS honey
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c. fresh cilantro, chopped
-Note the coleslaw will seem very dry.  The longer it sits in the dressing, the more it will soften.

BLT Salad

I know we're heading into fall...but I love salads!  My garden cherry tomatoes are amazingly sweet this year.  Here is a tasty version of one of my favorite sandwiches!  You can either use the Pesto Dressing (recipe below), blue cheese dressing, italian dressing, or ranch dressing.

Salad:
Mixed Greens
Spinach
Iceberg
Cherry Tomatoes
Avocado
Crumbled Bacon
Gorgonzola (or other preferred cheese)
Shredded Carrots
**Fresh Basil, chopped--secret ingredient!!!

Pesto Dressing:
2 oz red wine vinegar
6 oz light olive oil
1/2 c. prepared pesto (Costco's brand works great)

Taco Soup (chicken or beef)

I love taco salad, so I guess it makes sense that I love this hearty taco soup (I often even use leftovers for "taco salad" the next few days).  Fall is never complete if I don't whip up some of this.  My family loves this meal.  It is also a great meal for entertaining.

Makes 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
1 c. ground beef (cooked) or 1 c. cooked/diced chicken
1 medium onion, chopped
2 bell peppers chopped (any color)
1.5 oz taco seasoning
1 16 oz can corn
1 16 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 14 oz can stewed tomatoes (blend this up before adding if you don't like huge tomato chunks)
1 14 oz can petite diced tomatoes
1 14 oz can tomato sauce
1 4 oz can green chilies
Tortilla chips, cheese, avocado(a must in my opinion!), sour cream, fresh tomatoes for topping
1.  Caramelize onion in 3 TBS olive oil over medium heat for 7-10 minutes.  
2.  Add all other ingredients (except toppings) and simmer on low for 20-30 minutes.  
3.  Serve warm with desired toppings.

Grilled Chicken with Cobb Salad

I LOVE Cobb salad.  Here is another slight variation from Food Network (picture from them too).  I wish I could just pull this from my fridge without any effort!

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 8 ounces each)
• 1 small onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick rings
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 4 slices bacon
• 3 large eggs
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 4 teaspoons white wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 2 hearts romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 avocado, chopped
• 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese

Directions

Pound the chicken between 2 sheets of plastic wrap with a mallet or heavy skillet until 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Transfer to a large bowl and add the onion, 3/4 cup buttermilk, the garlic and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat, turning, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain; reserve the drippings for the dressing. Chop the bacon.

Fill a small bowl with ice water. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the eggs and cook 4 minutes, then transfer 1 egg to the ice water using a slotted spoon. Continue cooking the remaining 2 eggs until hard-boiled, 6 more minutes; drain and let cool.

Make the dressing: Remove the 4-minute egg from the ice water and carefully peel (it will be soft); transfer to a blender. Add the vegetable oil, reserved bacon drippings, remaining 1/4 cup buttermilk, the vinegar, mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and blend until smooth and slightly thick, about 1 minute. Refrigerate while you cook the chicken, at least 15 minutes.

Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high. Lightly brush with vegetable oil. Drain the chicken and onion, discarding the garlic; pat the chicken dry. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken, turning once, until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Grill the onion, turning occasionally, until tender and lightly charred, about 10 minutes; roughly chop.

Peel and chop the hard-boiled eggs. Toss the romaine, grilled onion, tomato, avocado, blue cheese and 1/4 cup of the dressing in a large bowl. Divide the chicken among plates and top with the salad; top with the bacon and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and season with pepper.

Garden Greek Salad with Balsamic Glaze

We have an abundance of tomatoes and cucumbers this year!  This is a great salad to utilize that abundance.  I love adding celery to give it the extra crunch, the creaminess of the avocado, and fresh basil and chives from our garden give this salad extra delicious taste!

In a large bowl combine (in any ratio you prefer):
cherry tomatoes (yellow pear tomatoes are beautiful too in this dish--mine aren't ripe yet!)
diced tomatoes
diced cucumber
chopped celery
diced avocado
feta cheese (or you can do fresh mozzarella cut in small cubes)
fresh basil
fresh chives (or finely chopped red onion)
salt/pepper to taste
--Toss ingredients with some Olive Garden Dressing.  Garnish with sliced tomatoes and balsamic glaze.

BLT Bliss Bowls

I love that the internet allows for recipe sharing!  This gal at lovely little kitchen has some great recipes and amazing pictures!  I couldn't improve upon her recipe, so here is her exact recipe and picture.

 

Author: Lovely Little Kitchen

Prep time:  20 mins

Cook time:  13 mins

Total time:  33 mins

Serves: 2 bowls

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 teaspoon oil (I used avocado oil)
• salt and pepper
• 4 strips center cut bacon
• 2 packed cups mixed baby greens
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1/2 avocado, sliced
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• Topping: Balsamic glaze* plus additional avocado oil, salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Place tomato halves one side of a baking sheet, and toss with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Lay strips of bacon on the other side and place in the oven. Turn the oven on and set to 400 degrees. Cook the tomatoes and bacon for about 13-14 minutes, or until the tomatoes are blistered and the bacon is crisp. The oven will just about reach 400 degrees in that time.
3. To assemble the bowls, place mixed baby greens on the bottom, and top with cooked quinoa and sliced avocado. Top with crumbled bacon, blistered tomatoes, and feta. Sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Drizzle with a bit more oil and balsamic glaze.

Notes:

You can find balsamic glaze at Trader Joe's in the oil and vinegar section. It's wonderful on salads, but also on grilled veggies or chicken. You can also heat balsamic vinegar on the stovetop slowly to reduce it into a glaze. It becomes sweet and tangy!

Summer Tomato Salad

Picture from Williams Sonoma Outdoor Entertaining Cookbook.

This is a beautiful simple summer salad!

3 avocados
Juice from 1 lemon
8 assorted heirloom tomatoes
1 small red onion, thinly slices
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
kosher salt
ground pepper
2 TBS coarsely chopped fresh Italian parsley (or basil)

-Arrange sliced vegetables on platter.  Drizzle with oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh herbs on top!

Farmers Market Quesadillas (or Veggie Burrito)

I love quesadillas!  The options for fillers are endless!  Here is a recent recipe I've been making often.  There are three ways to cook the veggies that you use as the filler.  Pick which one is easiest for you :)

Vegetable Filling Mix
Bell Peppers
Zucchini
Yellow Squash
Onions (red, yellow, or sweet)
-Toss vegetables with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper (you can also add any seasonings you want at this point or it is good just as is).

Cooking options:
Skillet: Cook over high until vegetables tender
Roast: in oven at 425 for 15-20 minutes.
Grill:using a grill basket cook in your grill turning vegetables occasionally until slightly blackened.

-Then assemble quesadillas as desired with cheddar, mozzarella, or Monteray jack cheese.  Serve with some homemade guacamole.
-You can also make them burrito style and use Gorgonzola or Parmesan cheese if your up for a slightly different tasty twist!