thewhimsy: lunch

Showing posts with label lunch. Show all posts

Recipe: Summer Squash Salad
SUMMER RECIPE SERIES

This refreshing side will add color and flavor to your favorite summer meals. The flavor from the dressing on this salad only gets better with time.

Ingredients:

2 cups julienned zucchini
2 cups julienned yellow summer squash
1 cup sliced radish
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons & 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 thin slices prosciutto (1 ounce), chopped
1/4 cup feta cheese

Preparation:

1) Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add prosciutto; saute for 2 minutes or until crisp. Set aside.

2) In a large bowl, toss the zucchini, squash, and radishes.

3) In a small bowl or jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine remaining ingredients (except prosciutto and feta cheese); shake well. Pour over vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Before serving, sprinkle cooked prosciutto and feta cheese over to your liking.

( Image: Anna Williams )

Related: Fresh Tomato Salad

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08.02.13 12:00PM BRIGID

Categories: easy, lunch, quick, salad, summer, snacks, uncooked

Recipe: Fresh Tomato Salad
SUMMER RECIPE SERIES

One taste of these fresh, juicy tomatoes with tangy cheese and fresh herbs, and you will never want summer to end.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds assorted tomatoes
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons fresh basil
1/2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

1) Slice tomatoes in thick meaty slices, about 3/4 inch thick.

2) Arrange the tomatoes on a large serving plate. In a small bowl whisk together the oil, basil, vinegar, mustard, and salt & pepper. Pour olive oil mixture over the tomato slices.

3) According to your preference, grate parmesan cheese over the slices and serve.

( Image: Jennifer Davick )

Related: Mississippi Mud Cake

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08.02.13 11:00AM BRIGID

Categories: easy, lunch, quick, salad, summer, snacks, uncooked

Recipe: Baja Fish Tacos
SUMMER RECIPE SERIES

Beat the heat with these light fish tacos. So flavorful you will forget about the heat of the summer sun and instead on the subtle heat on your tongue from these fresh ingredients.

Ingredients:

Fish Tacos
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 pounds fish fillets
cooking spray
lettuce, shredded
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas

Lime-Cilantro Crema
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise
3 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
hot sauce, to taste

Pico de Gallo
1 1/2 cups seeded, diced tomatoes
1/4 cup diced red onion
1 tablespoon diced jalapenos
1 tablespoon minced garlic
juice from 2 limes
2 tablespoons cilantro
Salt and pepper

Preparation:
1) Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2) In a small bowl, combine the cumin, paprika, ground red pepper, salt, and garlic powder; sprinkle mixture evenly over both sides of the fish fillets. Place fish on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake for 9 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.

3) While fish is cooking, combine Lime-Cilantro Crema and Pico De Gallo ingredients in two separate small bowls; set aside.

4) Once the fish is done, place fillets into a bowl; break into pieces with a fork. Heat tortillas according to their package directions. Divide the fish evenly among tortillas; top each with desired amount of crema and pico de gallo.

( Image: KalynKitchen )

Related: Bacon Flavored Milkshake

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07.05.13 12:00PM BRIGID

Categories: easy, lunch, main dish, quick, supper, summer

Haute Dogs
FOURTH OF JULY SPECIAL

Spice up the usual hot dog, Fourth of July fare with these easy to master topping combinations. Most of these can be found in the back of refrigerator. Follow these straight forward medleys and you will the toast of your Independence Day cook out.

Ingredients:

All beef hot dogs
Hot dog buns
Assorted toppings*

*See Topping Combinations

Preparation:

1) Place hot dogs into slow cooker, if cooking a large amount place them vertically so they can all fit.

2) Cover, and cook on low for 4 hours, or on high for about 2 hours. Check to make sure the hot dogs in the middle are fully hot before serving. Serve with tongs into buns and fix with desired Topping Combinations.

Your hot dogs can stay on the Warming setting for several hours, keeping them warm and ready for the duration of your party or get-together.

Topping Combinations:

1. Southwestern Hot Dog = Salsa + Tomato + Avocado
2. Backyard BBQ Hot Dog = Barbecue Sauce + French Fried Onions
3. Sweet & Salty Hot Dog = Corn + Crumbled Bacon + Ketchup
4. Neoclassical Chili Dog = Chili + White Cheddar Cheese
5. Pow! Right in the Kisser Hot Dog = Yellow Mustard + Sauerkraut

Related: Roasted Potato Salad

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06.28.13 12:00PM BRIGID

Categories: Fourth of July, lunch, easy, quick, slow cooker, main dish, supper, summer

Recipe: Roasted Potato Salad
FOURTH OF JULY SPECIAL

A fresh twist on an old picnic or cook out staple. You can pack this salad in a cooler to serve cold at a picnic or transfer it to a slow cooker to serve warm for a potluck.

Ingredients:

1/2 lb green beans, steamed
1 whole garlic
2 pounds red potatoes, quartered
2 medium sweet red peppers, cut into chunks
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

1) Remove papery outer skin from garlic (do not peel or seperate cloves). Cut top of garlic bulb. Place cut side up in a greased baking pan.

2) Add potatoes, red peppers, onions, and beans; pour chicken broth over top. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until garlic is softened. Remove garlic; set aside. Bake vegetable for another 30 to 35 minutes or until tender. Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes.

3) Squeeze softened garlic into a bowl. Stir in the vinegar, oil, rosemary, and salt. Add vegetables; toss to coat. Serve as warm or cold.

( Image: )

Related: Summer Salad with a Citrus Vinaigrette

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06.28.13 11:00AM BRIGID

Categories: Fourth of July, lunch, make ahead, roasting, salad, side dish, supper, summer

Recipe: Summer Salad with a Citrus Vinaigrette
SUMMER RECIPE SERIES

Start off summer with a refreshing salad with a light, homemade citrus vinaigrette. Bring a little summer in with you to work or share it with friends at a backyard cook out.

Ingredients:

Salad
2 small heads romaine lettuce, cut into bite size portions
1/2 to 1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 to 2 cups chopped tomatoes
3/4 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup Swiss cheese, grated
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
croutons

Citrus Vinaigrette
1/4 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon olive oil

Preparation:

1) In small bowl, whisk together all the Citrus Vinaigrette ingredients. Set aside or store in refrigerator.

When whisking vinegar and oil dressings combine all ingredients except oil in a small bowl. Slowly add the oil while mixing vigorously with a whisk.

2) Combine all salad ingredients except croutons in a large bowl.

3) When ready to serve, pour dressing over salad and toss. Sprinkle croutons over top.

( Image: KalynKitchen )

Related: Bacon Flavored Milkshake

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06.21.13 12:00PM BRIGID

Categories: easy, lunch, main dish, quick, salad, side dish, supper, summer

Recipe: Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato Sandwich
FATHER'S DAY SPECIAL

Dress up the normal BLT with an avocado spread and a new way of cooking bacon that allows you to get a mouth full of the delicious salty meat with every bite. Treat him to a nice lunch with this recipe.

Ingredients:

BLT Sandwich
2 slices bread, toasted
2 - 3 leafs of romaine lettuce
1 tomato, sliced
3 slices of bacon, cooked*

* See preparation.

Avocado Sandwich Spread
1 large avocado
2 tablespoons green onion, minced
2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preparation:

Avocado Sandwich Spread:
1) In a large bowl, mash the avocado until smooth.

2) Add the onion, vinegar, an salt & pepper; Mix well.

Bacon Weave:
1) Cut the bacon strips in half or to fit your slice of bread.

2) Lay 3 new slices down on a piece of tin foil on a baking sheet next to each other vertically.

3) Fold slices 1 and 3 so that the top touches the middle. Lay a new half-slice horizontally just about the fold. Unfold slices 1 and 3.

4) Fold slice 2 from bottom to top. Lay a new half-slice horizontally just at the fold of slice 2. It should lay nicely across slice 1 and 3. Unfold slice 2.

5) Fold slices 1 and 3 so that bottom touches middle. Lay a new half-slice at the fold once again. And finally unfold slices 1 and 3.

6) Cook bacon in oven at 375 degrees until desired wellness.

Assembly:

1) Spread the desired amount of avocado spread on a slice of bread. Then layer your romaine lettuce, desired amount of tomato slices, and finally gently place your bacon weave. Top it off with the other slice of bread. Enjoy.

To keep the avocado spread from browning to0 quickly spray the top with cooking spray before storing it in the refrigerator.

( Image: Pinterest )

Related: Bacon Wrapped Jalepno Poppers

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06.14.13 1:00PM BRIGID

Categories: main dish, easy, lunch, sandwich