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Tomato Cheese Appetizer

tomato cheese appetizer
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tomato cheese appetizer

 

 

These tomato cheese appetizers are  delicious,quick and easy to make.My moms garden has been in abundance of ripe red tomatoes,so I’ve been using tomatoes in many different ways.This appetizer is very well known among Slavic people,I twisted a little by adding sliced hard boil egg.

 

Ingredients:

tomatoes sliced

mozzarella cheese shredded

mayonnaise

garlic cloves crushed

hard boiled eggs sliced

salt and black pepper if desired

dill for garnish

 

Directions:

Combine garlic and mayonnaise.

Spread mayo mixture on tomato slices.

Sprinkle with cheese.

Add a slice of hard boiled egg on top of the cheese.(optional)

Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.

Garnish with dill.

tomato cheese appetizers

Tomato Cheese Appetizer

Ingredients

  • tomatoes sliced
  • mozzarella cheese shredded
  • mayonnaise
  • garlic cloves crushed
  • hard boiled eggs sliced
  • salt and black pepper if desired
  • dill for garnish

Instructions

  1. Combine garlic and mayonnaise.
  2. Spread mayo mixture on tomato slices.
  3. Sprinkle with cheese.
  4. Add a slice of hard boiled egg on top of the cheese.
  5. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
  6. Garnish with dill.
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Greek Salad

greek salad
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greek salad

This is light and healthy Greek salad recipe.Greek Salad is a crisp, light, healthy  summer salad. Torn Romaine lettuce is topped with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, kalamata olives, red onion, peppers and crumbled or diced feta cheese then tossed with light and tangy lemon olive dressing.This Greek salad is refreshing and perfect for summer.

Ingredients:

1-2 romaine hearts sliced or torn

1-2 tomatoes sliced into thin wedges

1/2  english cucumber sliced in semicircles

1/2 red onion thinly sliced

kalamata/black olives

pepperoncini  and/or green bell pepper sliced

Crumbled or diced feta cheese

Fresh parsley minced (optional)

 

Dressing:

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar*

1 teaspoon salt or to taste (I used pink himalayan)

1 teaspoon sugar

fresh ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon dry parsley

1 large clove garlic or 2 small

1/3 cup olive oil (high quality recommended)

*You can sub in white or red wine vinegar

 

Directions for dressing:

In a bowl whisk lemon juice,balsamic vinegar,salt,sugar,parsley,black pepper,and garlic.Gradually whisk in olive oil.Continue to whisk until the dressing is well combined and thickened a little.Set a side for at least 15 minutes-30 minutes.Or refrigerate for later use.

Place all salad ingredients in a salad bowl or a plate.Toss with prepared dressing.

Greek salad-2

 

Greek Salad

Ingredients

  • 1-2 romaine hearts sliced or torn
  • 1-2 tomatoes sliced into thin wedges
  • 1/2 english cucumber sliced in semicircles
  • 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
  • kalamata/black olives
  • pepperoncini and/or green bell pepper sliced
  • Crumbled or diced feta cheese
  • Fresh parsley minced (optional)
  • Dressing:
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar*
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste (I used pink himalayan)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • fresh ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry parsley
  • 1 large clove garlic or 2 small
  • 1/3 cup olive oil (high quality recommended)
  • *You can sub in white or red wine vinegar

Instructions

  1. In a bowl whisk lemon juice,balsamic vinegar,salt,sugar,parsley,black pepper,and garlic.Gradually whisk in olive oil.Continue to whisk until the dressing is well combined and thickened a little.Set a side for at least 15 minutes-30 minutes.Or refrigerate for later use.
  2. Place all salad ingredients in a salad bowl or a plate.Toss with prepared dressing.
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Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce

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pasta

My moms garden is in abundance of tomatoes every summer.And every time  when I have a lot of something,I think of a way how to use it in a perfect way.Making pasta with fresh tomato sauce is great way to use those extra tomatoes.This pasta sauce is so easy and quick to make ,that you will have a healthy and amazingly delicious lunch or dinner in no time.

Ingredients: 4 large tomatoes or 2 lbs  Roma tomatoes

8-10 cloves garlic minced

1 shallot or half onion finely chopped

1/2 cup chardonnay or any other white wine

8  basil leaves minced

1 tablespoon finely parsley

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

salt and fresh ground pepper

4 tablespoons olive oil

cooked pasta (I used whole wheat spaghetti)

 

Directions: Cut a small X on the bottom of each tomato.Place tomatoes in a pot or a bowl and cover with boiling water. Cover with lid and blanch for 5 minutes.

Carefully peel of the skin and roughly chop the tomatoes.

Heat a saute pan and add oil. Throw in onions and garlic and cook for 2 minutes.Pour in chardonnay  and let it evaporate for about a minute.Add tomatoes,basil and parsley.Cook sauce until thickened,about 10-12 minutes.Season with salt and pepper.

Combine cooked pasta with sauce and sprinkle some parmesan cheese. You can add  yourchoice of sautéed  or grilled vegetables to pasta.

 

Pasta with fresh tomato saucedelightsofculinaria.com, dinner, easy recipe, food, healthy, holiday recipes, italian food, lunch, marinarasauce, pasta, quick recipes, recipes, red sauce, simple recipe, spaghetti, tomato sauce

 

Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

  • Ingredients: 4 large tomatoes or 2 lbs Roma tomatoes
  • 8-10 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 shallot or half onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup chardonnay or any other white wine
  • 8 basil leaves minced
  • 1 tablespoon finely parsley
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • salt and fresh ground pepper
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • cooked pasta (I used whole wheat spaghetti)

Instructions

  1. Cut a small X on the bottom of each tomato.Place tomatoes in a pot or a bowl and cover with boiling water. Cover with lid and blanch for 5 minutes.
  2. Carefully peel of the skin and roughly chop the tomatoes.
  3. Heat a saute pan and add oil. Throw in onions and garlic and cook for 2 minutes.Pour in chardonnay and let it evaporate for about a minute.Add tomatoes,basil and parsley.Cook sauce until thickened,about 10-12 minutes.Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Combine cooked pasta with sauce and sprinkle some parmesan cheese. You can add yourchoice of sautéed or grilled vegetables to pasta.
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Bruschetta

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bruschetta

 

Bruschetta is one of my favorite summer appetizers.It’s one of the  freshest,simplest, and healthiest appetizers out there(no frying or mayo).

The combination of sweet tomatoes and aromatic basil with tangy sweet balsamic and olive oil is simply divine.Great thing about bruschetta… that it can be served as an appetizer,snack,salad or lunch.Whatever you’re in the mood for.And at parties they’re are gone in a zoom!

Ingredients:

3 roma tomatoes diced

4 thick slices fresh mozzarella cheese

5-6 fresh basil leaves sliced

2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes chopped(optional)

2 tablespoons fire roasted peppers chopped (optional)

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil(good quality)

2 tablespoons black or white balsamic vinegar

salt and fresh ground pepper

1/2 french baguette or any Italian bread sliced diagonally (I used whole wheat french baguette)

2 cloves garlic

olive oil for drizzling

Heat oven on broil.

Arrange bread slices on a lined baking sheet.

Drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle a little salt and black pepper.

Toast in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until  bread is slightly browned.Let cool.

In a bowl, combine tomatoes,mozzarella cheese,basil,sun-dried tomatoes,fire roasted peppers,salt,balsamic vinegar,and olive oil.Set aside.

Rub each piece of bread with garlic.

Spoon tomato mix on top of each slice of bread.

 

 

Bruschetta

Ingredients

  • 3 roma tomatoes diced (liquid removed)
  • 4 thick slices fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 5-6 fresh basil leaves sliced
  • 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes chopped(optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fire roasted peppers chopped (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil(good quality)
  • 2 tablespoons black or white balsamic vinegar
  • salt and fresh ground pepper
  • 1/2 french baguette or any Italian bread sliced diagonally (I used whole wheat french baguette)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • olive oil for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Heat oven on broil.
  2. Arrange bread slices on a lined baking sheet.
  3. Drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle a little salt and black pepper.
  4. Toast in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until bread is slightly browned.Let cool.
  5. In a bowl, combine tomatoes,mozzarella cheese,basil,sun-dried tomatoes,fire roasted peppers,salt,balsamic vinegar,and olive oil.Set aside.
  6. Rub each piece of bread with garlic.
  7. Spoon tomato mix on top of each slice of bread.
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Shrimp Spring Salad

Spring Salad with Shrimp
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shrimp spring salad

 Spring and summer are my favorite seasons.Everything around you looks amazingly beautiful, fresh and full of life.This shrimp spring salad consists of leafy romaine lettuce, radish, sweet peas and shrimp.All the ingredients are tossed with creamy garlicky dill dressing.It’s very tasty and easy to make for any occasion.Even though the dressing is creamy, salad feels very light but filling.

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

1 bunch romaine lettuce torn or chopped

3-4 radishes sliced

2/3 cup  frozen peas (thawed)

1 lb cooked shrimp

Other optional ingredients:

avocado,chives,cherry tomatoes

Dressing:

2 heaping tablespoons mayonnaise

2 heaping spoons plain greek yoghurt or sour cream

2 tablespoons fresh finely chopped dill

2-3 crushed garlic cloves

Salt and fresh ground black pepper

 

Directions:

In a small bowl,whisk all dressing ingredients and set aside.

Place romaine lettuce,radis,pesa,and shrimp in mixing bowl.

Toss salad with garlic dill dressing.

 

Spring Salad with Shrimp

Spring Salad with Shrimp

Ingredients

  • Ingredients:
  • 1 bunch romaine lettuce torn or chopped
  • 3-4 radishes sliced
  • 2/3 cup frozen peas (thawed)
  • 1 lb cooked shrimp
  • Other optional ingredients:
  • avocado,chives,cherry tomatoes
  • Dressing:
  • 2 heaping tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 heaping spoons plain greek yoghurt or sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons fresh finely chopped dill
  • 2-3 crushed garlic cloves
  • Salt and fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Directions:
  2. In a small bowl,whisk all dressing ingredients and set aside.
  3. Place romaine lettuce,radis,pesa,and shrimp in mixing bowl.
  4. Toss salad with garlic dill dressing.
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Pickled Tomatoes

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DSC_3746

Pickling tomatoes and cucumbers is very well-known in Russia and Ukraine. It’s a great way of preserving tomatoes in a brine and makes it enjoyable during winter months.These pickled tomatoes go well with famous Ukrainian fried potatoes and Uzbek plov. My dearest friend Nellya that lives in Ukraine shared this recipe with me,so the recipe is straight from Ukraine with Ukrainian method of pickling. Sterilizing jars for this recipe is not needed, but you will need a blanket or a thick towel.

DSC_3541

Pickled Tomatoes

Ingredients

  • Per 1 quart jar or 1 liter-
  • Tomatoes
  • 1-2 whole onion round
  • 5-6 carrot rounds
  • 3 bell pepper slices
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • one sprig of parsley
  • one sprig of dill
  • 10 black peppercorns.
  • 1.5 heaping tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • water
  • For 3 liter jars-
  • 1.5 tablespoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

  1. Place onion,carrots,garlic,black peppercorns,dill,parsley,bay leaf on the bottom of the jar.
  2. Place tomatoes in a jar.preferably small, but slice in half or quarters if large.
  3. In a pot or sauce pan bring water to a boil.
  4. Fill jars(with tomatoes)with boiling water and let them sit for 15-20 minutes.
  5. Pour out the water from jars back into the pot and bring it to a boil again.
  6. Add sugar,salt and vinegar to the jar with tomatoes and fill it back with the boiling water that was poured out in to the pot.
  7. Close the lid tightly.Cover a table with blanket or towel, and place the jar upside down. cover it with blanket or a towel.
  8. Keep them covered with a blanket or a towel for 24 hours.
  9. Ready in a week or two.The longer, the better.
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Guacamole Dip

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DSC_3514

 

Simple, fresh, healthy, delicious and perfect for parties or potlucks.

Guacamole Dip

Ingredients

  • 3 ripe avocados
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 3 garlic cloves crushed
  • 1/2 red onion diced* optional
  • 1 tomato diced (seeds and pulp removed)
  • 3/4 teaspoon cumin powder
  • juice of 1 lime
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (I used Himalayan pink salt)

Instructions

  1. Peel and mash avocados.
  2. Throw in the rest of the ingredients.
  3. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
  4. Serve with tortilla chips or add to quesadillas,burritos,or sandwiches.
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Tomato and Eggplant salad

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DSC_3163Combination of tomatoes and eggplants is very popular in russian and Italian cuisine.They go perfectly together.This salad is delicious and simple to make consisting of  few ingredients.

Tomato and Eggplant salad

Ingredients

  • 1 eggplant diced (large)
  • 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup grated mozzarella or colby jack cheese
  • 4-5 cloves garlic crushed
  • 2-3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • salt
  • fresh dill chopped
  • oil for frying or baking

Instructions

  1. Sprinkle eggplants with salt and set aside for 30 minutes.
  2. Fry or bake eggplants until you get a nice golden brown color.
  3. Let them completely cool down.
  4. In a bowl,combine eggplants,tomatoes,cheese,garlic and mayonnaise.
  5. Transfer to a salad bowl and sprinkle with dill.
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Southwestern Spaghetti Casserole

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This comforting pasta dish is very delicious,flavorful and satisfying.This dish can be vegetarian using mushrooms instead of meat or ground beef,chicken or turkey for meat lovers.If you’ll be using chicken broth,I highly recommend to make it from scratch.In my opinion it’s really more flavorful then store bought.

Southwestern Spaghetti Casserole

Ingredients

  • 16ozs. spaghetti cooked al dente and drained.
  • 3 cups sliced mushrooms (for vegetarians)
  • 1 1/2 -2 lbs ground meat (for meat lovers)
  • 1/2 onion chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1-2 roma tomatoes diced
  • 1 bunch green onion (green parts only)
  • 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
  • red pepper flakes (amount depending on your taste)
  • salt & pepper
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large skillet or saute pan heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
  3. Throw in mushrooms* and continue to cook until all liquid is absorbed.
  4. Add garlic to mushrooms.Stir.
  5. Add cream.Bring to simmer.
  6. In a another skillet; heat olive oil and throw in onion,green onion and bell pepper.
  7. Saute until vegetables are soft.
  8. Using a hand blender or food processor,pulse mushrooms with cream until nice and smooth.
  9. Transfer back to the pan.
  10. Add broth,sour cream,both cheeses and sautéed vegetables.
  11. Season with salt,pepper,cumin,and red pepper flakes.
  12. Add tomatoes.
  13. Mix the sauce with spaghetti and transfer to a casserole dish.
  14. Bake it in the oven for 30 minutes.
  15. Sprinkle some cheddar cheese on top and return to oven for another 3-5 minutes.
  16. * If using ground meat,brown the meat instead of mushrooms.(skip the step to use blender)
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Caprese Sandwiches with Avocado Basil Spread

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DSC_2502

 

 

 

 

photo(2)

Arrange sliced bread on baking sheet.Drizzle with some olive oil.

photo(1)

Broil for 3-4 minutes in 500 degrees oven.

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Using a blender or food processor,pulse spinach,basil and garlic. Then add avocado,lemon juice,salt and olive oil.pulse until well blended.

Caprese Sandwiches with Avocado Basil Spread

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • 2-3 basil leaves
  • 1 garlic clove chopped
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil + more to drizzle.
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 baguette sliced
  • 3-4 tomatoes sliced
  • fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
  • salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
  • optional-balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 500 degrees on broil.
  2. Arrange bread on baking sheet.
  3. Drizzle with little bit of olive oil.
  4. Place it in the oven and toast it for 3-4 minutes.
  5. Spread:
  6. Using a blender or food processor,Blend together spinach,basil and garlic.
  7. Add Avocado,lemon juice,cheese,olive oil and salt.
  8. Pulse until well blended and the mixture is smooth.
  9. Spread avocado spinach spread on bread.
  10. Layer with mozzarella cheese,basil and tomato.
  11. Season with a little bit of salt and fresh cracked pepper.
  12. Drizzle with little balsamic vinegar when serving.(optional)
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Eggplant capresse appetizer

Eggplant capresse appetizer
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Eggplant capresse appetizer

Ingredients

  • 1 eggplant sliced 1/2 inch thick
  • Fresh mozzarella cheese sliced 1/2 inch thick
  • Sliced tomatoes
  • 5 crushed garlic cloves
  • fresh basil leaves
  • salt and fresh ground pepper
  • Olive oil (better if fresh and cold pressed)
  • balsamic vinegar ( good quality)
  • Oil for frying eggplants

Instructions

  1. Sprinkle salt on both sides of the eggplant. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
  2. Heat a frying pan and add plenty of oil.
  3. Fry the eggplants on both sides.
  4. Let them cool.
  5. Spread a little of fresh crushed garlic on the eggplant.
  6. Add the sliced tomato on top of the eggplant.
  7. Then one whole leaf of fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella on top of the basil and tomato.
  8. Sprinkle with salt and fresh pepper.
  9. Drizzle Olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the cheese.
  10. Serve with fresh rustic bread or crostinnis.
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