July 19, 2009

Caprese Salad

Author: Amateur Cook // Category: , ,
I love summer tomatoes, fresh basil and mozzarella together, and whoever created the caprese salad is a genius. Below is my version of it -- I can't wait to be able to use my own home-grown tomatoes for the salad.

Ingredients:
1 large tomato, sliced
1 ball of buffalo mozzarella, sliced
2-3 sprigs fresh mozzarella
3 T. olive oil
1 1/2 T. balsamic vinegar
course salt and pepper to taste

The key to this recipe is allowing all of the flavors to meld for a few hours. I also think that adding a lot of basil really improves the flavor. Slice your tomato and your mozzarella. Combine the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Lay tomatoes on a rimmed plate, pour about 1/2 of the olive oil mixture over all of them and top each tomato with a basil leaf. Add mozzarella on top of basil leaf and pour the rest of the oil mixture over top. Add another basil leaf to the mozzarella. Put in the fridge and allow flavors to meld for a few hours.

I just wanted to add a photo of my tomatoes -- they're growing. Can't wait to use them for caprese salad!
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July 17, 2009

Pineapple Spritzer

Author: Amateur Cook // Category:
It's been a tough work week for this working girl. I wasn't planning to blog tonight, but I was inspired by Sunny Anderson. You can see her on the Food Network; her show is called Cooking For Real. Tonight, she premiered a special called 'Sunny's Summer Eats,' and I was drawn in. Basically, she goes to a bunch of summer festivals - with really bad food 'eats' - and gives her favorites from each place. I'm really enjoying it, and she inspired me to blog.

This recipe for a pineapple spritzer is definitely one of those that count as a refreshing summer drink. It's non-alcoholic, but since I've had a busy week, I mixed it with a shot of peach vodka. Regular vodka would taste just as good, but for the purposes of the recipe below, it's a delicious non-alcoholic summer spritzer.

Ingredients:
1 part pineapple juice
1 part diet ginger ale (for less calories)
a few frozen pineapple chunks (and ice if needed)

Mix all together and enjoy! This recipe is great for a summer party, and you can serve it with alcohol or without.

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July 12, 2009

Chickpea and Red Pepper Salad

Author: Amateur Cook // Category: , , ,
This is a really tasty salad. The recipe below makes about 3 cups and is good for a day or so in the fridge. You can serve alone or with bagel-chip dippers.

Ingredients:
1 15 oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and roughly chopped
4 scallions, sliced
1 c. arugula, chopped
2 jarred (about 1/4 c.) roasted red peppers, chopped
2 T. lemon juice
2 T. olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Throw it all together and serve. It's a very delicious recipe.

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Rice Krispie Treats

Author: Amateur Cook // Category: , ,
When I started this blog, I wanted to write about quick, easy recipes. I didn't want to include too many recipes that people wouldn't find a lot of value in - like how to grill chicken. Rice Krispie Treats are so easy to make, but the reason I include them here is because I don't know that a lot of people know just how easy they are. I followed the classic recipe from Kellogg's Rice Krispie web site.

Ingredients:
6 c. rice krispies
3 T. butter
1 (10 oz.) bag marshmallows, about 40 large

Coat a 9 x 14 pan with cooking spray. Then, melt butter over low heat in a large sauce pan. Add marshmallows and continue to cook and stir until all of the marshmallows are completely melted. Remove from heat. Mix in all of rice krispie cereal, stirring until coated. Spoon into your 9 x 14 pan, then with a buttered spatula, press the mixture into the corners of the pan. Allow to sit and harden for an hour or two, then cut into squares and serve. This recipe is best if made the same day you eat them - yum.

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July 9, 2009

Chicken Pasta Salad with Lemon Essence

Author: Amateur Cook // Category: ,
This is a great summer pasta salad because it has a hint of lemon flavor. The chicken and penne pasta are tossed with plain low-fat yogurt, which I think adds great depth. It's a nice, different pasta salad that doesn't take too long to make.

Ingredients:
8 oz. (about 1/2 a box) penne pasta
2 1/2 c. shredded rotisserie chicken
1 c. plain low-fat yogurt
1/2 c. parsley, chopped
2 T. toasted almonds, finely chopped
1 t. finely grated lemon zest
2 T. lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, boil water and cook your penne according to directions. Reserve about 1/4 c. of the pasta water. Drain and run under cold water to cool. In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients, including pasta. If you need to thin the sauce, add some of the pasta water. You can store in the fridge up to one day before serving.

*Note: If you need to toast your almonds, cook them for about 2 mins. on each side in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. You shouldn't need cooking spray, but watch the almonds, they burn easily.

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July 7, 2009

Orange-Rum Punch

Author: Amateur Cook // Category:
I love a good mimosa in the morning, but I thought I'd try something a little different for the 4th of July. This is a really great drink, and the bitters "make" it. Like I mentioned in yesterday's post, I had some folks over to watch my husband and our friends run in the Peachtree Road Race. We watched 50 thousand runners make their way down Peachtree Street from our corner of the road. It is quite an experience!

Ingredients:
2 c. orange juice, pulp-free
2/3 c. rum
3 T. lemon juice
4 t. sugar
1/4 t. bitters

In a large pitcher, stir all ingredients together. Serve over ice and, if desired, garnish with orange zest.

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July 6, 2009

Southern Drawl

Author: Amateur Cook // Category:
A while back, I had sweet tea vodka at a party, and it was delicious! Very tasty. As well as some food for the July 4th holiday, I also made some fun drinks. The Southern Drawl calls for sweet tea vodka and is a nice, refreshing drink on a hot day. Apparently, the vodka is infused with tea and sugar, giving it a sweet tea flavor.

Tomorrow's Recipe: My husband ran the Peachtree Road Race on the 4th, so I made a "race-watching" alcoholic beverage for the morning. I'll post that one tomorrow.


Ingredients:
1 part sweet tea vodka
2 parts ginger ale
1 orange wedge

Mix all of the ingredients together and enjoy. Be careful, this drink sneaks up on you because it doesn't taste like alcohol.

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