Antipasto Pasta

 

I lb. rigatoni pasta

1/4 lb. ham (chopped)

1/4 lb. salami (chopped)

1/2 cup black olives (pitted and sliced)

1/2 cup red onion (sliced)

1 cup roasted peppers (sliced and chopped)

2 tbs. olive oil

1 tbs. fresh parsley (chopped)

1 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

3 tbs. parmigiano reggiano (optional) * Any parmesan cheese is good.

Directions:

1. Boil pasta to desired taste. Drain well.

2. Add olive oil and stir well.

3. Add all other ingredients, mix well and serve.

*This is delicious warm and also cold.

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Grilled Veggie Wrap

 

Ingredients:

1 large eggplant (peeled and sliced thin)

2 zucchinis (peeled and sliced thin)

1 large beefsteak tomato (sliced thin)

1 small red onion (sliced thin)

1 cup of shredded lettuce

4 wraps (your choice)

olive oil

sea salt

black pepper

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, put 4 tbs. of olive oil. Cook eggplant, zucchini and red onions until tender. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt and pepper when cooking.

2. When done, open up a wrap. Layer eggplant, zucchini, onions, tomato, and lettuce. Wrap tightly and cut in half. (see photo)

*You can put wrap in a preheated oven of 350 degrees to make hotter.

Artichoke Salad

 

Ingredients:

2 cans artichoke hearts (drained) cut in half

1 can of hearts of palm (drained) cut in half

1 small red onion (sliced)

1 cup cherry tomatoes

1 cup fresh snap peas

1/2 cup of small pitted black olives (drained) (optional)

2 tbs. olive oil

2 tbs. red wine vinegar

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients. Mix well. Refrigerate for an hour and serve.

It’s simple and delicious. Some people like black olives in it and some don’t. It all depends on your taste.

Homemade Bruschetta

Ingredients:
2 ripe tomatoes (diced)
1/4 cup red onion (diced)
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives (chopped)
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp. olive oil
pinch of sea salt
Italian bread sliced thin or thin crispy toast crackers
Directions:
In a large bowl, put tomatoes, olives, red onion, vinegar, olive oil and sea salt. Stir gently.
If you’re using Italian bread, slice it thin.
Put bread on a baking tray and rub a little olive oil on top of each slice.
In a preheated oven, 350 degrees, let bread crisp in the oven. (about 5 minutes)
Let bread cool for 5 minutes and put bruschetta on each slice.

Penne With Grilled Corn and Fresh Ricotta

Ingredients:
1 lb. whole wheat pasta shells (mini)
3 ears of corn (*Canned corn, well drained is fine too.)
1/2 cup red onion (chopped)
1/4 cup red bell pepper (minced)
1 cup fresh ricotta
1 tsp.sea salt
3 tbsp. olive oil
2 pieces of fresh basil (chopped)
Directions:
1. Remove husks from corn. Brush with a little olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. On a grill/barbecue, grill ears of corn until a little golden brown. Turn while cooking. (about a total of ten minutes) *Or, open canned corned and drain very well. Grill in skillet for about 3 minutes.  Skip Step 2 if using canned corn.
2. Let corn cool for about 15 minutes and then shuck the corn off the cob.
3. Begin to boil pasta to your desired taste.
4. Drain pasta well. Put pasta in a large bowl. Add corn, red onion, red bell pepper, 3 tbsp. of olive of oil and 1 tsp. of sea salt. Mix well.
5. Pour pasta onto a serving  platter.
6. Place dollops of fresh ricotta on top. Put basil leaves on top.
Optional: Drizzle a little olive oil on top.
Note: Some enjoy this as a cold pasta dish as well as a warm one.

Tomato and Cucumber Salad

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Ingredients:
3 large vine tomatoes (Cut into eighths)
2 cucumbers (cut into 1/4 in. slices)
1 red onion (sliced
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. dry oregano
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
Direction:
1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well.
Serve cold.

Mussels and Avocado Salad

Ingredients:

3 lbs. mussels

3 avocados (sliced)

1/2 cup red onion (sliced)

1 bulb of garlic (roasted)

1/4 cup olive oil

sea salt and black pepper

Directions:

1. In a large pot, put 1 cup of water. Add cleaned mussels and cook on a low heat. (about 8 minutes) You want the mussels to open and cook.
2. Drain well. Let cool a few minutes and then remove mussels from shells.
3. Slice avocados to bite size pieces.
4. Slice red onion.
5. Put all ingredients in a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take a piece of aluminum foil. Put garlic bulb on top. Drizzle a tbsp of olive oil on top of bulb. Wrap up and cook in oven for about 30 minutes.
7. Let cool and remove garlic from bulb.
8. In a food processor, put garlic, 1/4 cup olive oil and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Pulsate for 20 seconds.
9. Pour dressing over mussels and serve.