Fresh peach salad

Don’t let anyone fool you.. Making a good salad is time consuming but worth it.

While peaches are in season this is a great summer meal.  I added lightly sautéed chicken breasts to it to fill our tummmy!

Hubby and I loved it and I will make it again.


I adapted this salad to my liking as noted.

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 shallot, thinly sliced

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 to 2 large ripe peaches, pitted and sliced into thin wedges

1/2 cup candied pecans ( I toasted walnuts with a little brown sugar)**

4 ounces smoked Gouda, crumbled into small pieces( I cut slices into shoestring pieces)**

5 ounces baby arugula( I used Fresh Romaine lettuce)**

Served along with a sautéed chicken breast.**

Served two.

1. Add the oil, vinegar, honey and mustard to a jar with a lid. Add the shallot and season with salt and pepper. Close the jar and shake until combined. (See Cook's Note.)
2. Layer the romaine, pecans, peaches and Gouda on a large plate. Pour the dressing over the top, then toss until everything is coated.  Serve immediately. 

Enjoy!

Cook’s Note

Dressing can be made 1 day in advance and kept refrigerated in an airtight container.

Garofalo pasta with spinach, bacon and diced tomatoes

Pasta again.  That's what's cooking in my kitchen....

I really try to come up with good recipes for everyone but with my Italian hubby pasta has to be included in most recipes.  I like to watch carbs but with my guy it just isn't easy.  Adding some bacon changes somewhat boring ingredients to quite tasty.

This recipe is quite simple.

10 oz. of pasta cooked according to directions.(salt water)
6 slices crisp bacon broke in pieces( add Right before serving to insure crispness)
1 clove minced garlic
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
2 T olive oil
1-14 oz. can diced tomatoes
1/2 bag frozen spinach (you can use fresh if you have it)
salt and pepper to taste
  

11/11/19

In a medium size pot saute bacon until crispy.  Remove bacon and break into small pieces.  Add 1 T olive oil and minced garlic.  Saute..add diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, basil and parsley.  Cook several minutes.  Rinse spinach under cold water and drain by squeezing as much water out of the spinach as you can. Add spinach and broken pieces of bacon to tomatoes.  Toss with 1 more tsp. olive oil and drained pasta.

I topped this dish with a little shredded mozzarella.

It's good! I could have seasoned it a bit more.  Next time will add a little more salt and red pepper for a little more bite.

Enjoy!

New Blogger format

Hi everyone!

I hope I can get this correct once and for all.

Here are a few of my recent delights posted on my We like to bake and cook group.  You are welcome to join our group on Facebook!

Fingers crossed!

Garlic Butter orzo with chicken

This is a food network recipe I made adjustments to.  

10/20/19

It called for sliced cherry tomatoes and I preferred using canned petite diced tomatoes which my hubby and I agreed made this recipe delicious.

Super easy meal for two or more.  Increase ingredients if necessary.  This recipe made enough to serve 4 adding a salad as a side.

4 thin chicken cutlets( I butterflied mine)
2 T olive oil
Salt and red pepper To taste
Sprinkle Italian seasoning
Place in a bowl and toss to coat evenly.

In a separate bowl place

2 T butter
2large cloves garlic
Microwave until butter is melted.


Note: All seasonings were guesstimates.  I’m not fond of heavy seasonings.



Melt butter with garlic

Pour mixture over dried orzo and stir.

1/ 1/2 cups diced tomatoes( drain slightly ). ( recipe called for cut in half cherry tomatoes)
1cup uncooked orzo
1 -14 oz can chicken broth

Shredded mozzarella for topping after baked.

In a greased 13 x9” baking dish place place dry orzo. Add butter garlic mixture and stir.
Add chicken broth and stir.
Spoon diced tomatoes on top.

Place seasoned chicken on top and cover.  Bake 350 degrees 50 to 60 minutes.  Remove from oven remove cover and add shredded mozzarella and bake uncovered an additional 8 to 10 minutes.  Delish!

Self care during the Pandemic! The eyes have it!

I’m going out on a limb letting myself

 Show my worse to add a little humor as well as  self care during this Pandemic.

Moral to the story....since you’ll be wearing a mask skip the make up and

 Focus on your eyes!!!!  Especially eye cream!