Caprese Quesadilla

 

So the other day I posted the delicious Peach Caprese Salad and decided to whip this up with the leftovers.  I really wanted to make a Caprese Panini but when the bread was frozen I became an instant genius and went for the tortillas.  This is an amazing lunch and would be beautiful and a brunch or luncheon.

 

Ingredients:

• 2 tortillas, burrito sized
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1/2 cup mozzarella, diced or shredded
• Fresh chopped basil, desired amount
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon sugar, optional

 

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan bring balsamic vinegar and sugar to a boil.
2. When balsamic begins to reduce to about half the amount remove from heat and let cool.
3. Place tortillas on a flat surface and layer one half of each tortilla with cheese, tomatoes, basil and drizzle with a little balsamic reduction.
4. Fold the tortilla and place onto skillet over medium heat for a couple minutes making sure it doesn't burn.
5. Flip to other side and let sit until cheese is completely melted and tortilla is golden.
6. Repeat with other quesadilla and enjoy!
7.  

 

Broiled Balsamic Glazed Bread and Bruschetta

For all of you who don't know, I am a HUGE bread lover.  Especially, when its doused in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  My husband always tells me that he knew he wanted to marry me on our first date at his Senior prom because, I wasn't afraid to order what I wanted and I literally ate a whole thing of bread with balsamic before our meal.  Needless to say, I also finished my whole meal and ordered a double cheeseburger after the dance.  A local restaurant has this amazing wood fired bread with balsamic glaze and I have been craving it so bad....  I also love bruschetta so I decided to make both and have a delicious snack!

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced at an angle
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, zested or grated
• handful of basil, lightly chopped
• 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, lightly diced

Directions:

Bring oven to a broil.

Mix tomatoes and basil in a small bowl. 

In a small sauce pan bring balsamic vinegar and sugars to a soft boil and let simmer, until it thickens just a bit.

Place bread slices on a foil lined/lightly greased cookie sheet.

In a small bowl mix oil and garlic.  Spread evenly over each piece of bread and place in broiler until edges start to get crisp and golden.  Remove from oven and drizzle each piece with balsamic glaze.

Add about a tablespoon of the glaze to the tomato/basil mixture along with any extra olive oil and stir.

Top 1/2 of the bread pieces with the tomato/basil mixture and serve.

Citrus Vinaigrette with Strawberry Orange Salad

I have been experimenting with different kinds of salads and dressings lately and this one was absolutely DIVINE!  I love the idea of making my own dressing and knowing exactly what is going into it.  I really never realized how easy and Delicious homemade dressing could be. 

 

Ingredients for salad:

• 4 navel oranges, sliced
• 10 strawberries, sliced
• 2 packets truvia
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• 1 bag spring mix salad

 

Ingredients for dressing:

• 1/2 cup orange/strawberry syrup
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Directions:  In a large bowl add strawberries, oranges and mint.  Sprinkle with truvia and let sit for at least 2 hours.  Drain juice from bowl and pour into a small mixing bowl.  Add all remaining dressing ingredients and whisk together.  Pour dressing back into strawberries and oranges.  In a large salad bowl and spring mix and top with dressing and fruit.  Toss and serve!

Strawberry Orange Mint Salad

I cannot even begin to describe how amazingly delicious this salad is. This was served at a picnic this summer and I am so surprised it took me this long to remember it.  I have no idea if this is the recipe that was used, but it tastes just as I remember!  This is a must try recipe perfect for any type of gathering.

Ingredients

• 1 navel orange, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar, honey, or agave nectar
• 1/2 teaspoon mint, fresh or dried

Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.

 

Garlic Parmesan Muffins

I absolutely hate when I get home from the grocery store and realize I forgot just ONE thing.  Of course this one thing happened to be the garlic bread that my husband has to have when eating any kind of pasta.  He has never been a fan of pasta so when I do make it I always add garlic bread.  No way am I packing up baby and making another trip so I raided the pantry and found self rising flour.  I remembered a recipe by Trisha Yearwood for Easiest Muffins and I decided to adapt it to more of a garlic bread muffin.  This is the end result and I have to pat myself on the back because these are scrumptious.

Ingredients: (this makes 6 muffins)

• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup self rising flour
• 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1-2 tablespoons chopped chives or to taste
•  pepper, to taste
• cooking spray

 Directions:  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a mixing bowl cream together butter and yogurt.  Slowly add in flour and mix well.  Add all garlic, cheese and salt and pepper and mix together.  Spray muffin pan and drop dough in with a ice cream scooper.  Bake for about 15 minutes or until tops are brown. 

Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

 

My husband LOVES chicken wings.  He is always telling me stories about a place in Florida called Wings N Weenies that he would go to when he was little.  We finally have a good wing place close by and he always wants to go.  I am not a fan of chicken wings but I thought I would give it a try.  I was surprised when I actually like these guys. 

 

Ingredients:

• 1 package chicken wings
• 1 cup or less of Red Hot Buffalo Sauce
• Salt and Pepper
• cooking spray

 

Directions:  Preheat over to 450 degrees.  Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Toss the wings with the salt and pepper to coat evenly in a medium bowl and then transfer to the baking sheet. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until outer skin is crisp.  Take chicken out of oven and preheat broiler.  Brush on Red Hot Buffalo sauce to your liking and broil for about three minutes and flip wings and add sauce to other side and repeat.

Hawaiian Baked Ham and Swiss Sandwiches

I found this recipe on Pinterest and I knew I had to try it.  I am in love!  The bottom was crispy, the middle is full of cheese and the top has a wonderful onion flavor.  I only made four but I will post the recipe for a dozen.  This would be a perfect to serve during football season.

Ingredients:

• 1 12 pack of Hawaiian Original Rolls ( I only found the hamburger ones and they were perfect)
• 1 1b deli ham, thinly sliced
• 1 1b Swiss Cheese, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 sticks butter
• 1 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3 teaspoons poppy seeds
• 1 sweet onion, chopped

Directions:   Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.  Melt butter and mix mustard, Worcestershire, onion and poppy seeds until onions are soft.  Place the bottom of the buns in a greased 9x13 pan.  Spread half of the butter and onion mixture over the top.  Add ham and cheese and place the remaining buns over the top and pour remaining butter/onion mixture over the top.  Bake covered for 15-20 minutes. 

Cookers Note:  I was using the oven at 450 degrees for some other goodies and I cooked these for 10 minutes at 450 because I was lazy and did not want to wait it ti cook.  They were perfect!

BBQ Chicken Salad Wraps

After ordering this a couple times at Red Robin I decided to attempt it at home.  It was a hit and Husband approved.  Another fast and simple meal.
Ingredients:

• 1 package Tyson Grilled&Ready precooked chicken
• 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
• Spinach Tortillas
• 1 medium diced tomato
• 1 package coleslaw with dressing
• 1 large avocado sliced or chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• Jalapeno Ranch dressing
• Romaine lettuce

Directions:  In a small bowl mix chicken with BBQ sauce.  Microwave tortilla for 15 seconds to warm.  Spread Jalapeno ranch over tortilla.  Layer chicken, tomato, avocado, lettuce, coleslaw, and cheese.  Fold up both sides of tortilla and roll up as a burrito.
Cookers Note:  Next time I think I will add in some corn salsa or just corn and black beans.

Coca Cola Chicken

My friends mom would make this all the time growing up!  It is absolutely amazing!  I do not know her exact recipe but this one is incredibly close.  I often make this for dinner and serve with rice however, I think it is the perfect appetizer for any game day or family get together.

Ingredients:

• 1 1-2 pound package of chicken party wings/drummettes
• 3/4 cup Coca Cola
• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions:  In a large skillet over medium heat add chicken and oil, stir for about 2-3 minutes.  Add all sauces and heat until sauce starts to boil stirring occasionally.  When sauce comes to a boil reduce heat to medium and let cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  When sauce is completely caramelized and chicken is cooked throughout, serve!