Roasted Tomatoes with Fresh Basil and Mozzarella

Easy and so good!

Recipe by Dava Parr, Delicious Living

Serves 8 / An easy appetizer. Be sure to use a glass or enameled pan (not plain metal) to avoid any reactivity with the acidic tomatoes. Splurge on a flavorful, fragrant olive oil for the best results.

Good-quality olive oil
4 medium-large, ripe tomatoes
½ cup chopped fresh basil, plus whole leaves for garnish
4 large cloves garlic, crushed
8 very thin slices mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 450˚. Pour a little olive oil into a glass or enameled baking dish.
Cut tomatoes in half and roll cut part in olive oil; then turn over and arrange in dish, cut side up. Sprinkle each tomato with chopped fresh basil, crushed garlic, salt and pepper to taste, and a thin cheese slice. Drizzle again with olive oil. Roast for 20 minutes, until tender and lightly browned.

Garnish with whole basil leaves.

PER SERVING: 86 cal, 5g fat (2g mono, 0g poly, 3g sat), 18mg chol, 7g protein, 2g carb, 0g fiber, 177mg sodium

Pantry Raid - Lemon Chicken w/Ziti Pasta

Last minute cooking for a dinner party of 6, no problem!

Pantry Raid Menu:
1. Lemon Chicken
2. Ziti Pasta with Red Sauce
3. Mixed Greens - no dressing needed
4. Apple Lemon Cake

Results.....Rave reviews and happy guests.

This is the standard red sauce that I have posted in the past. Just pick any sort of fun pasta to go with it for a great side dish. Don't forget the freshly grated Pecorino cheese.

Salad mix, sliced radishes, sliced cherry tomatoes, sliced carrots, 2 cloves of garlic pressed, sprinkle with olive oil and sea salt then toss lightly until evenly coated.

1. Take 3 skinned boneless chicken breasts and slice them into thinner pieces full size (about 3 per piece).

2. Place cut pieces between two pieces of plastic wrap.

3. Pound with mallet until flattened.

4. Coat in an egg (take 3 eggs and beat).

5. Coat in Italian bread crumbs.

6. Add to olive oil to a frying pan, when heated add chicken and cook until browned on each side.

7. Sprinkle with fresh lemon juice and sea salt.

We cheated on this. I had a box of yellow cake mix in my pantry that I wanted to get some use out of. Mix the cake per directions, add in freshly squeezed lemon juice and grated lemon rind. Peel and slice some apples. Prep the cake pack with butter and flour. Arrange apple slices on bottom of pan. Pour cake batter over the top and cook as directed. Once completed, let cool then flip over on to a plate. Once completely cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Caprese Salad

Large red or yellow tomatoes, sliced

Fresh Mozzarella cheese, drained and sliced

1 bunch of fresh basil leaves

Olive oil

Salt and Pepper

Slice tomatoes and place on platter, top with slice of cheese and a basil leaf. Drizzle olive oil over the top and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Alternative recipe;

Sliced tomatoes cut into bit size pieces

Small fresh Mozzarella balls - cut in half

Fresh basil - chopped

Kalamata Olives - cut in half

Sea Salt and Fresh ground black pepper

Olive Oil