Open-faced Plum & Prosciutto Sandwiches

plum prosciutto sandwiches

I started off thinking I was going to make some sort of plum coffee cake spiced with cardamom.  Okay, I might still make that.  But then I stumbled across this recipe and it called my name.  There’s nothing I don’t like about prosciutto, goat cheese and arugula.  Add some sweet, tart plums – perfect!  I made this recipe for a night out at one of the free concerts at Millennium Park.  It was a gorgeous night to sit outside, listen to music, eat good food and catch up with some old friends.

 

Open-faced Plum & Prosciutto Sandwichesadapted from Cooking Light

  • 1/3 cup (3 ounces) soft goat cheese
  • 4 (2-ounce) slices Italian bread, toasted
  • 1 cup loosely packed arugula
  • 2 ripe plums, cut into thin wedges
  • 3 ounces very thin slices prosciutto

Spread 3/4 ounce cheese evenly over each bread slice. Divide arugula, plum wedges, and prosciutto evenly over sandwiches.

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Eggplant Caprese Salad

eggplant

There’s nothing like a caprese salad to showcase fresh tomatoes from your garden.  The simplicity of a tomato and mozzarella salad is a great way to showcase the flavors of ripe, just picked tomatoes.  Plus, the balsamic vinegar really brings out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes.  I used a store-bought balsamic glaze to top the salad, but a regular balsamic vinegar will work just fine.  Caprese salads are one of my favorite go-to salads in the summertime because they are so easy to put together.

What are some of your favorite go-to summertime salads?

Eggplant Caprese Salad, adapted from Martha Stewart

  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium eggplant (or 2-3 baby eggplants), cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 1 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced
  • 1 pound sliced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, torn
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush two rimmed baking sheets with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil each. Arrange eggplant slices on sheets. Brush tops with 2 tablespoons oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until eggplant is golden and tender, about 20 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
  2. On a serving platter, layer eggplant with sliced mozzarella and tomatoes. Top with basil leaves and drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and balsamic glaze.

eggplantcaprese

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Zucchini & Squash Pasta with Basil

zucchini squash pasta

Even though summer isn’t technically over until September, it’s hard not to think of the unofficial end being when school is back in session.  My husband is a teach and will be officially back in school in less than a couple of weeks!  It’s hard to believe, but at least the weather won’t be turning cool that quickly.  With late summer, comes a load of great produce.  Sweet corn, peaches, tomatoes, and my zucchini and squash plants are still going strong!

This is the first year I’ve grown squash and zucchini in my garden.  It’s a little overcrowded, being in the same raised bed as my tomato plants (lesson learned), but they’re still producing enough vegetables! This is a pretty quick and easy way to use some of your summer bounty, and it makes a great weeknight dinner. Feel free to throw in any other veggies you may have on hand to give this dish a little more color and a little more flavor.  Even some other fresh herbs would be a great addition.  Be creative!

Zucchini & Squash Pasta with Basil

  • 1/2 pound dry spaghetti
  • 1 medium-sized zucchini
  • 1 yellow squash
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, torn
  •  3oz shredded parmesan cheese, plus more for topping

In a food processor, fitted with a shredding disc, or using a mandolin, julienne the zucchini and squash.

Cook pasta according to directions on package.

In a large saute pan, heat olive oil over medium.  Add garlic and cook until fragrant, making sure not to let it brown.  Add zucchini and squash, cook until softened.  Stirring to coat with oil and garlic.   About 4-5 minutes.  Add the zest of one lemon and the juice.  Remove from heat.

Add zucchini/squash mixture to cooked pasta.  Add shredded cheese and mix thoroughly.

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