Burrata Salad

A delicious summer salad, perfect with an array of heirloom tomatoes.

Burrata are typically very large balls of cheese (stuffed with cream), 

Carefully cutting them in half to serve, makes

it a more desirable portions size and 

you can now see the lovely creamy interior. 

Select a pretty plate and arrange thin slices

of different types of heirloom tomatoes.

Place the beautiful cheese in the center.

Drizzle with olive oil, a sprinkling of salt and pepper, 

and some fresh herb. 

Typically basil is the traditional herb of choice, 

but you might be surprised at how mint, cilantro or fresh parsley tastes

with the tomatoes and cheese.

As Always,

ENJOY!

Italian Hot Pepper Sauce

I was so excited to see that Trader Joe's was carrying this spicy
Italian pepper sauce!

There was a time you could only find this type of item in a really
good Italian deli or sandwich shop.

Now it seems, even Trader Joe's carries this fantastic condiment.

Spread it onto an Italian sub sandwich, or put
a small dollop on the side of your plate of pasta.
Adding little bits of the pepper into each forkful of pasta.

Add it to a pasta salad, or any other salad you want to
carry some heat.

I am sure you will find many uses for this Bomba sauce!

As Always, 

ENJOY!

Smothered Salmon

A technique I like to use, to keep salmon moist while baking, is to cover

it with lemon slices. 

Season the salmon as you normally would, I like to keep it simple

with just olive oil, salt and pepper.

Then slice a lemon into rounds as thin as possible. Lay these over 

the top of the seasoned salmon and bake. 

The salmon remains so moist when cooked this way!

I like to serve the salmon with the baked lemon slices still on top. 

The heat of the oven will have softened all the pulp, 

and it is very easy to just press your fork  onto these cooked pieces

and let all the warmed juices pour over the fish.

As Always, 

ENJOY!

Blondies, a Tower of Treats

Stacked in a tower, simple bar cookies become show stoppers!

Or served on a tray for easy hand access.

Blondies are one of my families regular requests! 

The buttery and brown sugary taste is so appealing. 

The walnuts seem to balance all the flavors. 

Some people are not chocolate lovers, and so this is the yummy answer

to their sweet tooth!

As Always, 

ENJOY!

Summer Tomato Salad

When your garden is loaded with a variety of different tomatoes, 

make a tomato salad!

Just a bit of olive oil with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. 

If you have a lemon on hand, you could even add a dash of that. 

Just that simple!

Wonderful additions like basil or fresh mozzarella, 

can fill out the dish if you like, but great tomatoes

can stand on there own and their beautiful flavor

doesn't really need much enhancement!

As Always, 

ENJOY!

Gorgonzola Stuffed Fig Salad

When figs are ripe in the summer, what could be more 

delicious than adding them to a salad?

Paired with peppery arugula, rich prosciutto, sharp and pungent gorgonzola,

the sweetness of the figs makes all the flavors come together. 

Toss your greens in a simple vinaigrette, place the stuffed figs on top, 

and drizzle some balsamic vinegar over the top, and you have one 

amazing salad!

As Always,

ENJOY!

               Partially slice the figs down the center to create a cavity without cutting all the way through. Place a small chunk of gorgonzola in the center, wrap with a piece of proscuitto. 

In a warm skillet heat the figs until the cheese softens and the prosciutto crisps!

Place on your tossed greens that are plated. Drizzle and serve.  Additional prosciutto can be added on the side of the salad. 

"New" at Trader Joe's

Isn't it interesting, how the "New" shelf at Trader Joe's is relevant to where you live?

I love checking out Trader Joe's stores all over the country, wherever

I am traveling.  They seem to always have a unique selection of items

that are predominent products for that area.

For example.... In Wisconsin, they have so much cheese, and the pubcheese selection 

takes up a huge display! At my Trader Joe's in California, they only have one row 

of pubcheese!

This "New" end cap is featured at the Trader Joe's in Dublin, Ohio. 

Some of the items are found at all Trader Joe's and some of the 

items are specific to this location. 

The next time you travel around the country, check out the 

Trader Joe's and see what is "New"!

As Always, 

ENJOY!

Real Cesar Salad

Elevator Brewer and Draught Haus, in Columbus, Ohio,

serves one of the best Cesar Salads.

Made with all the key ingredients, not dressing out of a bottle. 

House made croutons, freshly grated parmesan cheese, anchioves, 

and a lemon wedge to adjust the acid level in the salad if you so desired!

A cesar salad is not really a complicated salad, and when done correctly, 

it is so enjoyable!

As Always,

ENJOY!

Cupcake Sandwich

Do you want to skip getting the frosting all over your lips?

Then just make a cupcake sandwich!

Easy to hold and easy to eat! 

Take the cupcake paper off, gently use your fingers to separate

the bottom of the cake portion for the top. 

Place the bottom portion, bottom side up on top of the frosting!

Now you have created a cupcake sandwich.

As Always,

ENJOY!