Now the warm weather has finally arrived, get ready to make this delightful snack to enjoy with a glass of the grape, on the deck or patio, and simply enjoy life. If using a larger bread or two of them (company?), then increase the salsa amount.
- 2 cups of cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 tbs. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. fresh basil, chiffonade cut
- 1 focaccia bread
- 1-2 Burrata cheese bundles
- 1/4 cup smooth salsa
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Toss the tomatoes with the olive oil and spread out in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until the tomatoes become shrivelled. Make sure to turn them over half way through the 30 minute baking time. Let cool down to room temperature, letting it all rest for 25 minutes before continuing on.
Lay the focaccia bread on a parchment lined baking sheet and broil for 2 minutes. Turn over so it becomes golden in colour.
Brush the bread with the salsa. Slice open the Burrata cheese bundle and spread out over the bread. If it is a large bread, then you will need the 2nd bundle.
Spoon the tomato mixture over the cheese and bake in the oven for about 4-6 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the fresh basil. Cut into 2 ” squares and serve warm.
Ooooooooooooohhhh my that is delicious.
Taco Salad
Everyone is soooo busy at this time of year and I thought this would make a great way to sit down, take a few minutes and enjoy the moment before off and rushing again.
- 2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp. Crisco oil
- 1 tbsp. FINELY chopped jalapenos, seeds removed
- 1 1/2 tsp. liquid honey
- 1 tsp. white wine vinegar
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce (or mixed greens)
- 1 large can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 3/4 cup fresh corn (1 large ear of corn should do the trick)
- 1 large avocado, peeled and sliced in thin wedges
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced (if you must)
- Season with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lime over the top.
- Grated Havarti cheese for garnish
Mix the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.
Wash and dry the lettuce, adding it to the bowl along with the rest of the ingredients. If you can purchase the taco bowls, use them or wrap up into soft tortilla wraps. Sprinkle cheese over the whole salad.
Have a cold beer handy or a shot of tequila. (I told you this would relax you). If you take this step, make sure you are done your shopping for the day and will stay inside.) In other words, no drinking and driving unless it is a great cup of coffee.
- you can also put in a cup or two of ground beef, fully cooked and then fold in with the rest of the ingredients.
Easy BBQ Bruschetta
Don’t laugh..it Is getting soon to be that time of year (unless you can bbq all winter long). Give this a try. So, so easy but oh so good.
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
- 1/3 cup small basil leaves
- 1 tbsp. capers, drained and rinsed well
- pinch of salt
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes (all colours), halved
- 1 large Italian baguette, cut diagonally in 1 inch thick slices
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and cut in half
- Grated Asiago cheese for topping
Preheat the barbecue to a medium temperature. Whisk together the oil, vinegar, basil, capers and salt in a medium bowl and stir in the slices tomatoes. Set aside.
Barbecue the bread slices until grill marks form: 1 – 2 minutes each side. Transfer to a plate and rub 1 side of the toast with the garlic and spoon the tomato mixture on top.
Sprinkle the cheese on top and place on the top shelf of the barbecue to melt the cheese (be sure you have turned off the heat). This should just take a moment or two.
Yummy!