Recipes and ideas so you never have to ask what the forks for dinner!
Even though summer is over, somethings still hang on. Cherry Tomatoes to name one , Upside Down Tomato Tart can use up those hanger-oner’s.
Although I have not had a garden in several years, there were times when I still had tomatoes the end of October. Especially cherry tomatoes, they just keep going and going!! Continue reading “Upside Down Tomato Tart”
Sometimes in the blog world you need a little help from your friends. Sriracha Orange Glazed Green Beans was a recipe I found over at Simply Recipes.
If you follow me you know I am the Food Service Director for a small town in Northern Illinois. School started this week. Can you say crazy busy??
So, I after visit to a local produce cart and purchased some really nice green beans, I needed a recipe. But, with my mind on school lunch, it was hard to focus on anything other than chicken nuggets, and school pizza. I really needed a recipe!
My go to Pinterest led me to Sriracha Orange Glazed Green Beans from Simply Recipes. Simply delicious and simply simple.
Blanch the green beans, which takes only minutes, once the water boils…..oh hum!
Give the cooked beans a quick dip in some icy water to stop the cooking process. This method gives them a beautiful green color, and a crisp snap.
In a small bowl the “dressing” is 3 simple ingredients, orange marmalade, soy sauce, and Tim’s favorite Sriracha. Spicy ketchup. It adds a little kick to the recipe.
Drain the beans and toss with the sauce……lol, I’m a poet!!
Serve at room temperature. They are the perfect side for anything grilled, or would be a nice on a Crudite Platter. Fancy French word for veggie tray.
A big thanks to Simply Recipes for giving my over worked blog brain a rest so I could focus on the busy business of feeding the future leaders of the world a nutritious breakfast and lunch!
Have some green beans to use? Try Sriracha Orange Glazed Green Beans.
Just a quick little post for a quick little salad……. Caprese Spinach Stuffed Tomato
It’s Saturday and after my favorite thing in the world……almost……..buying groceries, I needed little lunch. I bought some beautiful tomatoes, even though they aren’t in season….yet! Of course if the weather doesn’t start to cooperate, we will not have tomatoes, it’s freezing!
I am un-deterred and I made myself a spring-ish salad for lunch. So simple really……I have stuffed tomatoes frequently in the summer, egg salad, tuna, salad, chicken salad…….. so why not with a salad???
I used baby spinach that I shredded and stuffed inside the tomato. At first I was thinking, just a tossed salad inside of a tomato, then Caprese crossed my mind.
Caprese salad, meaning “Salad of Capri” is a simple Italian salad, made of sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and green basil, seasoned with salt, and olive oil. It’s made to resemble the colors of the Italian flag: red, white, and green.
I love, love, love the combination of fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil. So, the spinach was in the tomato, and I topped it with cubes of fresh mozzarella….pretty!
For the basil, I made it into a dressing, a pesto dressing. Basil, walnuts, parmesan cheese, white balsamic vinegar, and olive oil with a touch of water to make it easy to pour.
For my money, the pesto dressing made this dish. Basil is extremely aromatic, with the initial scent of pepper, anise, and mint. The taste is sweet, but savory. Perfect for Caprese Spinach Stuffed Tomato.
This salad is a great light lunch and would be a side side salad for any grilled meat……steak sounds good!
It’s so quick and easy you can make it in a flash for those unexpected guests, or if you just need a quick lunch……like I did today!
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