Panzanella

Recipe for today - Panzanella - Tuscan Bread Salad

This is a tough one. If you need to follow a specific recipe, I recommend you Google it and choose one. Every one I saw was rated near a 5 star. Of course, they are all designed for 6-18 people. Since there are only 2 of us, that wouldn't work. My recipe has the same ingredients as most and we like it.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Garlic and Butter croutons
• 3 tbsp. Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1 ripe tomato, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1/2 cucumber, cut into 1/2 thick slices then quartered
• 2 tbsp. capers, drained
• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, grated

Directions:

1. Mix it all together and enjoy
2. No need to look for more directions :)

Most recipes I found used stale bread and gave directions to make your own croutons. Some call for black or green olives, various types of bell peppers, Dijon mustard and various other spices. Do your own thing.

Fried Green Tomatoes - Updated version

Fried Green Tomatoes

I used my prior recipe for a base, then combined in 3 other recipes to come up with this one. We seem to like this even better than any previous recipe we have tried.

Ingredients:

• 4 large green tomatoes - make sure they have not started to ripen
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• canola oil covering large non-stick frying pan to 1/4-1/2 inch

Directions:

1. Slice tomatoes 1/2 inch thick (much better than 1/4 inch); discard each end
2. Whisk eggs and milk in a medium-sized bowl
3. Mix all other ingredients in a large bowl or, if you have one, a large plate with a 'lip' on the rim
4. Heat the oil
5. Dip tomatoes into the egg mixture and coat well
6. Dredge tomatoes in the flour mixture to completely coat on both sides
7. Place tomatoes in the hot oil making sure they do not touch one another - better to do in batches if skillet won't hold them
8. Turn over when first side is brown and brown the other side
9. Drain on paper towels and enjoy

I served them with a garlic ranch dressing - very good.

Ground Beef and Noodles

Ground Beef and Noodles

Ingredients:

• 3 cups uncooked egg noodles or similar pasta
• 1/2 lb. ground beef
• 1/2 can (4 oz.) tomato sauce
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt - more or less to taste - even leave it out - or use garlic salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper of your choice
• 2 tsp. butter
• 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
• 2 green onions
• 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere (or Swiss)

Directions:

1. Cook noodles according to package direction
2. Drain noodles and toss with the butter
3. Cook ground beef in skillet until brown and drain
4. Stir the tomato sauce, salt and pepper into the skillet
5. Chop green onions and add to the skillet
6. Add cream to the skillet 
7. Bring skillet ingredients to a low boil
8. Grease (or use Pam or butter) glass baking dish
9. Layer 1/3 of noodles in the dish
10. Cover noodles with the ground beef mixture
11. Repeat
12. Top with cheese
13. Set oven to 350 degrees and bake for 25-30 minutes 

Potato and Leek Bake

Potato and Leek Bake

Nita and I don't remember ever having leeks until the past few years. We have grown to really like them. We had this for breakfast today and agreed it is very good as I amended what I had found. And we think it is very versatile in that you can add any type of peppers or meat to it as you choose. As with most of my recipes this one is for 2, so multiply if you are feeding more than 2.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 lb. small potatoes, any kind - about 2 potatoes
• 4 eggs
• 1/8 cup milk
• 1/4 cup heavy (or whipping) cream
• sea salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp. chopped chives
• 1 tsp. butter
• 1 large or medium leek (white and pale green parts only - wash very well)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Boil potatoes whole for about 8 minutes
3. Drain potatoes and cut into 1/4 inch slices
4. Whisk eggs, milk, cream, salt, pepper, chives together
5. Melt butter in cast iron skillet on stovetop
6. Add leeks and brown about 5 minutes
7. Reduce heat under skillet to medium
8. Scatter potatoes in skillet and cover with the egg mixture
9. Place skillet in oven and bake until edges are puffed and golden brown - about 20 minutes or to your liking