Asparagus Farro Feta Salad

Summer in the midwest is unpredictable at best.This summer has been pretty decent so far…….and then….holy crap its hot!!!!!!! When it’s hot, the last thing I want is to heat up the kitchen, or eat anything hot….ugh! Asparagus Farro Feta Salad is a cool delicious salad…. when its too hot to cook.

Asparagus Farro Feta Salad

Tim and I had to give up our beloved asparagus patch when we moved, but we still enjoy asparagus as much as ever. With summer heat ramping up I really don’t feel like cooking….I barely feel like eating, although I do manage…LOL

Asparagus Farro Feta Salad is cool but satisfying. Tender crisp asparagus with chickpeas, farro, and feta….covered in a light dill and red onion dressing. Continue reading “Asparagus Farro Feta Salad”

Italian Hoagie Dip

When it come to sandwiches, the Italian hoagie is king of the hill. Italian Hoagie Dip may dethrone the king!!

Italian Hoagie Dip

As summer approaches……OK, not here in the midwest, apparently here we need an Ark and perhaps a parka. So, maybe not a parka, but so far it has been a cool wet spring.

Italian Hoagie Dip

That does not mean that you do not need that “go to” take along food. Enter Italian Hoagie Dip. Cured Italian meats, smoked provolone, tomato, onions, and a touch of spice makes a hoagie you can dip.

Italian Hoagie Dip

I love Italian meats, smoky, spicy, just delicious. Paired with a nice provolone cheese…bellissima! Most grocery stores have an Italian meat variety pack. A selection of meats that pair well together, and are perfect for this recipe.

Italian Hoagie Dip

Tim and I are snackers. We don’t always fix a meal per se, we have snacks or as we like to call it…. grazing. Just grab a little something, no muss, no fuss.

We ate this for several grazing sessions. The longer it sets the better it gets. The dressing, although very simple, infuses the meat with a simple flavor.

Italian Hoagie Dip

A French baguette, sliced and toasted makes the perfect dipping vessel for the Italian Hoagie Dip.

Are you in need of a take along food for your next party, or just in need of a grazing selection at home? Try Italian Hoagie Dip……..deliziosa!!

Italian Hoagie Dip

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Italian Hoagie Dip

  • Author: Marty Boyd

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon organic apple cider vinegar (I like Bragg’s)
  • 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1/4 cup each hot capocollo and hot calabrese,
  • 1/2 cup each soppressata, and peppered salami
  • 1/4 pound smoked provolone cheese
  • 10 cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup red onion
  • 1/4 cup spinach, shredded
  • 2 tablespoon hot cherry pepper hoagie spread
  • Baguette slices, toasted
  • Fresh basil and parmesan cheese for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl whisk together the vinegar and Italian; slowly add in the avocado oil, whisking to emulsify. Set aside.
  2. Chop all meats, cheese, tomato and onions into small dice and place in a large bowl.
  3. Pour reserved dressing over the meat mixture, add the cherry pepper spread and toss to combine well. Allow to set for several hours. Before serving mix in the spinach. Garnish with fresh basil and parmesan cheese if desired. Serve with toasted baguette slices.

Notes

Note:Variety packs of Italian meats are available at your local grocery store.

 

Tuna Pan Bagnat

So you have a can of tuna…..you need lunch, or a light supper….. Tuna Pan Bagnat.

Tuna Pan Bagnat

Pan Bagnat (pan ban-Yah) wet or bathed bread, is a specialty of the Provence region of France. Traditionally a round wheat bread is stuffed with the classic Salad Nicoise ingredients…. tuna, anchovies, tomatoes, eggs, olives, red onions, capers, garlic and olive oil.

Tuna Pan Bagnat

Crusty bread, in this case my fav ciabatta, soaks up a yummy vinaigrette made from anchovies, garlic, dijon, balsamic, and olive oil. Use the best olive oil you can, especially when making a vinaigrette.

Tuna Pan Bagnat

For extra crunch, I tossed thinly sliced english cucumber slices into the vinaigrette and let them soak up the flavor while I prepared the rest of the sandwich.

Tuna Pan Bagnat is easy to make, portable, and can be made ahead. In fact, the longer it sets the better it gets. Perfect for a picnic, or make one on a french baguette, and you can have lunch for several days…..if it lasts that long.

Tuna Pan Bagnat

Admittedly, I am not a huge sandwich fan, Tim on the other hand is. I have no particular reason, but a sandwich is not always my first choice. Perhaps I have been swayed, this truly was delicious!

In keeping with tradition, I pressed the sandwich, meaning after I wrapped it,first in parchment paper, then tin foil, I placed two cast iron skillets on top and let it sit. Pressing makes sure all the flavors “bathe” the bread.

Tuna Pan Bagnat

We pressed our Tuna Pan Bagnat for just a few hours. I can only imagine how good it would be left over night. So, take a trip to the Provence Region of France with Tuna Pan Bagnet…..Bon Appetit!

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Tuna Pan Bagnat

  • Author: From the New York Times (original recipe here, I tweaked a few things)
  • Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 anchovy fillets, minced
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 ciabatta buns, halved (I toasted mine lightly)
  • 1/2 english cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium-size, ripe tomato, sliced
  • 1/2 small red onion, sliced
  • 15 ounce can tuna packed in oil, undrained
  • 2 tablespoons kalamata olives, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon caper, drained
  • 8 large basil leaves
  • 2 hard-cooked egg, peeled and thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Whisk together the anchovies, garlic, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Slowly drizzle in oil, whisking constantly.
  2. Slice cucumber thinly then add to vinaigrette and toss well.
  3. In a small bowl gently mix the tuna, olives, and capers, trying not to break up the tuna too much.
  4. Spread half the cucumbers on bottom of bread. Top with tomato and onion slices, then with tuna mixture, basil, olives and egg slices. Top egg with remaining cucumbers. Cover with second bread half and firmly press sandwich together.
  5. Wrap sandwich tightly in foil, waxed paper or plastic wrap, then place in a plastic bag. Put sandwich under a weight such as a cast-iron frying pan. Weight sandwich for 7 to 10 minutes, then flip and weight it for another 7 to 10 minutes. Unwrap and serve immediately, or keep it wrapped for up to 8 hours before serving.