Antipasti Salad

This is a great way to please a crowd - and no cooking involved :)  Easy and elegant and you don't have to make yourself crazy.

 

Marinated artichoke hearts

Bread sticks wrapped in proscuitto

Small mozzarella balls

Thinly slice italian meats ( salami, copicola, etc)

Olives

Fresh grape tomatoes

Small chunks of parmesan reggiano

Thinly sliced provolone cheese

Marinated veggies

 Pepperoncinis

Romaine lettuce tossed with viniagrette

Crusty bread to dip in olive oil and balsamic vinegar

 

Cooking instructions:  None  lol

Shrimp with Insalata Caprese

Can it get any more simple and savory than this?  This is great as an appetizer or light lunch on a hot day

 

Spinach Salad

This is one of my favorite super salads - a meal in itself and full of healthy, clean stuff.  Serves 2

2c  fresh spinach

2 hard boiled eggs, chopped

6 sliced strawberries

2 oz crumbled feta or gorgonzola cheese

12 walnut pieces

2  small diced apples

12 grape tomatoes, halved

Combine all ingredients and toss with a mixture of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

 

 

Katamala Olives with Feta, Baguette, Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar

This is a nice treat for company - my friend Barbara served this during a weekend visit.   Accompany this with a chilled glass of white wine - simple and savory !  Use chunk feta, not crumbled.

Slice the feta into 1/4 inch or thinner slices.  Drizzle a plate with good quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar - 2 tbs. each.  Arrange the olives and cheese on the plate.   Slice the baguette horizontially into rounds and enjoy.

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Ham and Noodle Casserole

HAM & NOODLE CASSEROLE   Good comfort food with great ingredients.  Easy to make and also wonderful for leftovers.

1 tbsp. butter 2 shallots,  minced 2 eggs, slightly beaten 1 c. sour cream 1/2 lb. cooked, wide noodles 1 1/2 c. chopped ham Sea salt 1/2 c. Gruyere cheese, baby Swiss or Swiss cheese, grated 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 2 quart casserole with olive or canola oil. Melt the butter in a skillet and cook the shallot over medium heat until soft. In a small bowl, mix the eggs and sour cream, then add the shallots,, cheese and ham. Add salt to taste. Put the noodles into the casserole, then add the sauce mixture and toss gently. Bake 45 minutes . Top with the fresh parsley and mix.    Adapted from Cooks.com Ham and Noodle Casserole

French Bread with Herbed Butter

Mash 1 stick room temperature unsalted butter with herbs of your choice - rosemary and tarragon work well

Slice one large French bread loaf into ½ inch slices, without cutting all the way through. Generously spread the butter mixture evenly onto each slice. Wrap in foil and bake for 15 mins. Serve warm

You could also change this up using a basil pesto for the filling

This is great as an appetizer or served with a soup or stew.

Lime and Avocado Slaw

This is great as a topping for fajitas, or would go well with any summer type barbecue meal.

3 C. thinly sliced cabbage

2 T fresh chopped cilantro

2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1 avocado, halved, pitted and diced

1/4 C  fresh lime juice

Zest of one lime

2 t. sugar

Add cabbage, cilantro, tomatoes and avocado in a bowl.  In another bowl, combine the lime juice, zest and sugar.  Pour dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to combine.