Vine-Ripened Tomato Salad Recipes

Nothing tastes like summer as much as a vine-ripened tomato. Eat one straight out of the garden, as you would an apple. Sprinkle it with a little salt if you wish. 

Then take your tomatoes into the kitchen and toss them into these delicious, easy salad recipes and also learn Italian food. Nothing could be simpler, better for you, more colorful, more tasty! What more can you ask for?

Tomatoes with Cucumber and Onion

4 tomatoes, sliced

2 cucumbers, sliced

1 red onion, diced

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup light Italian dressing

Freshly ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients and serve with ground pepper to taste.

Tomato-Mint Salad

1/4 cup tarragon vinegar

1/2 cup lemon juice

1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

1/4 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/2 cup chopped mint

6 large vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced

3 cucumbers, sliced

Romaine lettuce

Mint leaves for garnish

Combine the vinegar, juice, sugar, salt, pepper and mint; mix into the tomatoes and cucumbers and marinate at least 1 hour. Line a bowl with romaine leaves, place the tomatoes and cucumbers in the middle and garnish with additional mint leaves.

Tomatoes with Pepper Salsa

1 green pepper, chopped fine

6 green onions, minced (white part)

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves (optional)

1 jalapeno pepper, minced, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon wine vinegar

4 ripe tomatoes

Romaine lettuce leaves

2 cups bean sprouts

Combine all ingredients except the tomatoes, lettuce and sprouts; marinate for 4 hours or overnight. Slice the tomatoes and arrange on a bed of lettuce and sprouts; top with the salsa.

Tomatoes and Basil

Sliced vine-ripened tomatoes

Chopped fresh basil leaves

Rice wine vinegar

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Combine the ingredients in any quantity you wish.

Pecorino Cheese - an Italian Specialty

Tuscany is famous worldwide for its wine and olive oil, however, the people of Tuscany have lots of other food products to be proud of. One of the best things that are made Tuscany is the Pecorino cheese. The Pecorino is made of ewe's milk (pecora in Italian means sheep), and is also typical of more southern regions of Italy.

The Pecorino used to be considered a simple peasant's food, and was eaten as a snack with some bread and wine. Now it has become part of the best kitchens in Italy.

Pecorino types vary by the area of production, degree of ripeness and the way they were treated. The new Pecorino ripens for about 2-4 weeks. It is mild, and not very hard. The center of it can be creamy. The medium is sold after two months of ripening. As it ripens the taste gets sharper and the cheese is harder. Very ripe Pecorino that has matured for six months is usually used for grating over dishes, the same way Parmesan is used.

The different colors of the cheese depend on the way the crust was treated while the cheese was ripening. Some producers use tomato concentrate, so the color becomes red. This is usually a sign of cheese from the area of Siena. Others use edible charcoal to give the cheese grey - black color. If the cheese was placed in walnut leaves while ripening, it is brown.

Other areas of Italy have more ways of treating the cheese, such as burying it in trenches filled with special ashes.

The Tuscany Pecorino is protected by DOP council - something like DOC for wine. It makes sure that only cheese that comes from the right area and the right process is sold as Pecorino Toscano.

The taste of the Pecorino is strongly influenced by the diet of the sheep, so the herds are allowed to feed in large areas full of herbs that give the cheese a special flavor depending on the area.

The Pecorino cheese is produced in Tuscany from December to August. The best areas in Tuscany for Pecorino are near Siena, in the Maremma, and in Chianti near Cortona and Casentino.

So - Which Pecorino is the best? All the experts agree that the best pecorino does not come from Tuscany, but from Lazio (the area of Rome) it is called Pecorino Romano. The Pecorino Romano is a cooked cheese that matures for at least 8 months, and contains 36% fat. It has a strong salty flavor, and it is a hard cheese.

This article will not be complete without a recipe:

Leek with Pecorino and olive oil

Ingredients:

8 leeks, olive oil, 5 tbsp. grated Pecorino

Preparation:

Clean the leeks and leave only the white part. In a pan, cover the leeks with olive oil and cook on a very low heat, not allowing to boil. After about an hour remove the leeks from the pot and cool. Cut each leek lengthwise into 4 sticks. Separate the leaves, put on a plate and sprinkle with the cheese.

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Eggplant Parmesan With Buffalo Mozzarella

Italian food is one of the most delicious cuisines in the world and Italian dishes like pizza are famed all over the globe. In order to make the best Italian dishes, it is important to have some knowledge about typical ingredients.

This will help you to choose the right ingredients to make Italy's top dishes and it will also give you the ability to create your own dishes by combining these delicious ingredients like a seasoned chef.

Sun-dried tomatoes are one of the nicest ingredients for cooking with. The best ones are marinated in garlic, oil, spices, and herbs and you can use them in dressings, pasta dishes, pizza recipes, and salads. You can also get dry sun-dried tomatoes and you should slice these and keep them in olive oil for the best results. Canned artichokes are also great for pizza recipes. Fresh artichokes are nice if you add some oil to them, as well as salt and black pepper, and grill them over a charcoal fire for a smoky taste.

Eggplant Parmesan With Buffalo Mozzarella

Ingredients:

• 4 Medium Eggplants
• 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• I Recipe Quick Tomato Sauce
• 12 Ounces Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella, Thinly Sliced
• 3 Ounces Grated Parmesan Cheese

Crumb Topping: (Optional)

• 1 Cup Fresh Breadcrumbs
• Salt & Pepper
• 1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 2 Teaspoons Olive Oil

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut the eggplants in half, and using a vegetable peeler, remove all of the skin except for a 1-inch strip along the cut edge.
• Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, and spread the oil over the foil.
• Place the eggplants cut side down on the baking sheet, then roast until eggplants are soft, about 35 to 40 minutes.
• If using breadcrumbs, rub together the crumbs, seasonings and oil with your fingertips.
• Transfer the eggplants cut side up to a large shallow baking dish.
• Use a spatula to gently press the eggplants to flatten them to about 3/4-inch.
• Spoon the tomato sauce to cover each eggplant half.
• Place the sliced mozzarella over the sauce.
• Sprinkle the eggplants with the crumbs (if using), and the grated parmesan cheese.
• Bake in the preheated 400 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cheeses are bubbly and lightly browned.
• Serve warm.

Jerk Chicken Salad with pasta

Jerk Chicken Salad

 Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Garlic Oil or olive oil

1 tablespoon Jamaican Jerk Rub

1 pound chicken tenders

1 medium pineapple

3  green onions

 2 heads romaine lettuce

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained

6 slices bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled

1 red bell pepper

Dressing:

2 limes

1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise

2 tablespoons pineapple preserves

Method:

In Classic Batter Bowl, whisk together oil and jerk rub with Stainless Whisk. Add chicken tenders; mix well to coat and set aside. Peel pineapple and cut in half lengthwise with Santoku Knife; reserve half for another use. Cut remaining pineapple in half lengthwise and remove core. Slice crosswise into 1/4-inch slices. Heat Grill Pan over medium heat 5 minutes. Add chicken; cook 3-5 minutes on each side, turning once. Remove from pan. Add pineapple to pan. Cook 1 minute on each side, turning once; remove from pan. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces using Utility Knife; set chicken and pineapple aside.

Thinly slice bell pepper and green onions on Cutting Board with Measure Cups using Santoku Knife. Arrange 12 large lettuce leaves around Simple Additions® Large Round Platter. Chop remaining lettuce; set vegetables aside. Drain and rinse beans using Strainer; set aside.

For dressing, zest one lime using Microplane® Adjustable Grater. Juice both limes into Small Batter Bowl using Citrus Press. Add lime zest, mayonnaise and pineapple preserves to batter bowl; mix well.

Layer chopped lettuce, beans, bell pepper, chicken, pineapple, bacon and green onions over each lettuce leaf. Drizzle dressing over salad.

Yield: 6 servings

Cook’s Tips: If desired, 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into strips, can be substituted for the chicken tenders.

To microwave bacon, line Medium Bar Pan with sheet of Parchment Paper. Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on bar pan; cover with another sheet of Parchment Paper. Microwave on HIGH 4-6 minutes, checking after each 30-second interval and turning once with Bamboo Tongs. Remove bacon to paper towel-lined plate to drain.

For a kid-friendly version of this recipe, prepare recipe as directed, omitting lettuce. Cook 1 pound rotini pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta and toss with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add remaining ingredients; drizzle with dressing and toss gently.

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Chimichurri Steak Salad

There is a reason why the chimichurri recipe is so famous in Argentina; it's so good! Chimichurri is a wonderful garlic-based sauce that is easy to make and even easier to eat. It can be added to steaks, chickens, fish, prawns, and even as a salad dressing. Follow this easy chimichurri recipe to have a great side or serving for every meal that you make.

Ingredients:

4 cloves of minced garlic
2 tablespoons of chopped onion
1 cup of parsley
½ tablespoon of oregano
2 cups of water
1 tablespoon of olive oil

Method:

1- Pulse the garlic and the onion until chopped and mixed well together. They don't need to be too small here because you will be pulsing them again in the next step.

2- Add the parsley and oregano and then pulse again two or three times; again until everything is chopped up into small pieces and mixed together.

3- Add the water and olive oil in small amounts until the sauce has the texture that you want. Traditionally chimichurri is a chunky sauce but it's not a dip so the water and olive oil will keep it smooth.

4- Place in the fridge until it's ready to be served.

One of the other great things about this chimichurri recipe is that it can be changed up to go with what you're eating. At a barbeque with lots of people then this recipe will work well; however if you like a bit of a kick to your chicken then you can add in ½ cup of red peppers or 1 teaspoon of chilli flakes (add in during the second pulsing with the parsley). You can also add more garlic or take some away, and add lemon or lime juice (or both) at the end with the water and olive oil for more of a tangy flavour. Many people add salt and pepper at the end for more flavour.

Like I said earlier, this chimichurri recipe is so easy to make and such a good thing to have around because it goes well with everything. You can even use this same recipe as a marinade and coat some chicken breasts or prawns and leave them in the fridge for two days before grilling. This is also a low-fat alternative to salad dressing and pasta sauce. No matter how you use it, if you keep this chimichurri recipe on hand then you will never have another boring meal again.

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Home Style Cajun Chicken - No Matter Where You Live

Eating authentic cuisine from a certain place is definitely a sought-after experience, just like when eating Cajun chicken. However, one does not have to exert too much effort and travel all their way into the country just to be able to taste the delectable dish.

Cajun chicken tastes like most Southern dishes do. They are all made up of grains, usually rice, with a mixture of meat or seafood and vegetables and then added with spices, the most distinct flavor in any Southern meal.

If you want to your taste buds to be able to enjoy such a meal then you do not have to worry about travelling far down south, you can actually make Cajun chicken right at the comforts of your very own kitchen. It may not be near perfection as the original, but with your constant practice in making the dish, it should be next to the best.

In order to make a delicious Cajun chicken, you will need your chicken, of course. For the Cajun chicken recipe, you can use halved boneless chicken breasts that are pounded until its thickness is about a half inch. You will also need some vegetable oil, lemon pepper, as well as some seasoning, preferably the Cajun seasoning and some dried Italian-style seasoning, too.

Now that you have everything prepared, you are all ready to start making your Cajun chicken. First, you have to mix all of your seasonings, oil and lemon pepper in a bowl. You should also be adding in some garlic pepper according to your taste. This will serve as the marinade for your chicken. To make sure that your chicken tastes good to the bone, you should not only coat the chicken with the mixture but you also have to soak it in there and refrigerate it for at least half an hour.

Once that is all taken care of, prepare the in which you are to cook your Cajun chicken and preheat it. Oil the grill grates so that your chicken will not stick to it. Then, drain the chicken - you will not need the marinade anymore - and place it on the grill. Your chicken should be cooked for around 6 to 8 minutes on each side.

When you prepare your Cajun chicken for serving, you can style it up so it looks more presentable. Aside from serving over dinner and other formal gatherings, you can also slice up your Cajun chicken and make a sandwich out of it for your kids to eat at school.

Now, you and your family do not have to go so far to be able to eat Cajun chicken. You can cook and enjoy it straight from home and share a few laughs over dinner, too. Truly, it can make any meal a wonderful experience - you do not only get the chance to get your tummies full, you also have the chance to bond with your family and friends over dinner.

Grilled Cajun Chicken Wings

Ingredients

• For the Rub:
• 1 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 pounds chicken wings, cut into drumettes and flats
• For the Sauce
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup Louisiana-style hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Type of fire:two-zone indirect
• Grill heat:medium-high

Procedures

1. 1
   
   In a small bowl, mix together baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
2. 2
   
   Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels. Place wings in a large bowl and sprinkle seasoning mixture, tossing to evenly coat. Arrange wings in a single layer on wire rack set inside a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, leaving a little space between each wing. Place baking sheet with wings in refrigerator for 8 hours to overnight.
3. 3
   
   When ready to grill, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Set aside.
4. 4
   
   Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange the coals on one side of the charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate. Place the wings skin side up over the cool side of the grill, cover, and cook until skins are crisp and and browned, about 45 minutes.
5. 5
   
   Transfer wings to a large bowl. Add in sauce and toss to thoroughly coat wings. Transfer to a platter and serve immediately.

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Italian Food Has Its Own Fan Club

One of the first things that you will notice about Italian food is that it seems to have its own fan club. There are countless thousands of people that enjoy Italian food on a weekly basis, and funny enough many of them are not even Italian. This is because it is something that can actually please just about everyone today. There is something for those that are not particularly keen on pasta dishes, and there is something for those that have a love for seafood. Whatever you are in the mood for, you can bet that the Italians have made a recipe for it.



Small Family Affair Or Large Five Star Restaurant

It really does not matter where you plan on enjoying your Italian food, as it will always please those that choose to dine on it. Whether you are going with a small family run eatery, or a large scale 5 star Italian restaurants the fact is you are looking for great food. When you decide to dine Italian you can bet one thing for sure, and that is that you will leave the establishment full and satisfied. This is because the Italians know how to feed the diners that eat their food, and this is something that stemmed all the way back to when the chef was dining at their own home. Eating Italian is almost a cultural event in its own right, and if you are looking to enjoy fine food to quench your fan desire then look no further than a great plate of baked Ziti at your local Italian eatery.

A Shift In Cultural Attention

There are very few things in life that can be categorized as fan favorites quite like Italian food can, and if you are a fan you are a fan for life. A shift in cultural attention has brought this fine food to many other parts of the world, that otherwise would not have had the pleasure of knowing what Italian food actually tastes like. Many smaller countries worldwide, have now experienced what a great spaghetti dinner or divine lasagna actually tastes like. From this point on, there is no turning back, and you are now seeing Italian restaurants popping up in locations that were otherwise unlikely before. Even places such as the Middle East are experiencing this Italian food frenzy, and conveniently enough many of the fine Italian foods that we are so familiar with actually had a helping hand from regions in the Middle East.

No Apologies Needed

There are no apologies needed when it comes to the fan appreciation that comes with enjoying fine Italian food. You do not have to feel bad about enjoying this type of food, as you are not the first and surely will not be the last. Finding what you enjoy most about this wonderful culinary culture will be the biggest hurdle to overcome, as there is so many dishes to try you may run out of nights to try them in.

Romance and Italian Food Are the Perfect Combination

What could be better than a great night out on a romantic date, than to share a romance filled dinner at a great Italian restaurant. Italian food has always been considered romantic and if you are lucky enough to live in a place where there are many Italian restaurants you might be looking for some easy to remember tips in picking out a fabulous spot for your date.



The first thing, of course, is to choose a place that serves authentic Italian food. If you don't, you will come off looking like you don't know what you are doing and are just trying to get by on the cheap. Not a good way to start off a date.

The question is though, how do you know what's authentic? And the answer is simple: just look at the menu. Unless you are an Italian cook yourself, if you understand it, the menu is not authentic enough. You are looking for more Italian food than just spaghetti and pizza.

You could also try striking up a conversation with some of the people who work there. I know that I would be looking for people behind the food to know more Italian than English. If everyone there seems too American you can bet the food is going to be more Americanized-Italian than authentic Italian food.

But once you do find a place with a good menu the next step is to learn to understand it. You want to make a good impression on your date by ordering something on the menu and knowing what to expect before the food arrives at the table. You surely don't want to order octopus soup because you think it is going to be a roasted pork dish. The best thing to do is learn how to properly say what you want to eat in Italian.

You could even find out what Italian food your date likes and pick out some recommendations from the menu beforehand and learn how to say them. That would go a long way toward impressing your date when it comes time to order and you're reading off your selection from the menu like an Italian food connoisseur.

Now, anybody can tell you for a fact that Italian food isn't Italian without a good wine to go with your dinner. Any respectable authentic Italian food establishment will have a nice selection of wine. This is a must for your romantic date.

But before you actually go to the restaurant, make sure you research what wine will go best will the Italian food you're ordering. You can find out online and then when you get to the restaurant you can ask the server, that's what they're there for. But you do want to be sure that they don't just recommend the most expensive wine on the list, so you do need to know a bit about it before you go.

Italian food was meant to be enjoyed with wine, so take the time to make sure you're getting a good wine for both the food and your budget.

You can certainly enjoy a nice romantic dinner date without taking heed of these tips, but when it is really so easy to know a little bit ahead of time, there is no reason why you shouldn't. Besides, an Italian restaurant is one of the most fun kind of restaurant to go to. And everybody knows that good food is meant to be good fun.