Cucumber Honeydew Dry Salami* Salad with Feta

This salad is a perfect storm of sweet, savory, tangy, cool, and crunchy!! You can make this ahead, but don't add the feta until just before serving.
(makes 10 servings)

2 T. freshly squeezed* lemon juice
1/4 cup EVOO
1 t. honey
1/2 t. kosher* salt
1/8 t. freshly* ground pepper
1/4 t. poppy seeds (optional)
1 med. honey dew melon (3&1/2-4 lbs.), seeded and cut into bite-size cubes
1 English* or 2-3 Persian* cucumbers, unpeeled and cubed
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, briefly rinsed
4-5 oz. dry salami*, cut into thin strips
3 T. chopped fresh dill
4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled


Put lemon juice in a large bowl. Whisk in olive oil in a slow, steady stream until incorporated. Whisk in honey, S&P, and poppy seeds. Add the rest of the ingredients. Toss to combine. Top with feta. Serve with warm herbed breadsticks*.

"Joy doesn't not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day."

Love,

MM

Spring Artichoke Dip

"This one takes advantage of the flavors of bright spring produce, and one of the season's star veggies, artichokes!"
(no serving size listed)

1 lemon
1 8 oz. container of chive and onion cream cheese spread, at room temp.
1/2 cup light mayo.
2 t. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 t. coarse kosher* salt
1/4 t. garlic powder (I would use Johnny's Garlic Seasoning*)
1/4 t. onion powder
1/8 t. freshly* ground pepper
2 cups frozen artichoke hearts, chopped, from 2 - 9 oz. pkgs., thawed
2 T. chopped scallions
Chopped chives and parsley

Crudites for dipping:
Cucumber spears
Celery sticks
Sugar snap peas
Baby carrots
Radishes
Broccoli and cauliflower florets

Grate 1 t. zest and squeeze 1 T. juice from lemon into a large bowl; stir in cream cheese, mayo, Worcestershire, salt, garlic and onion powders, and pepper until blended. Stir in artichoke hearts and scallions. Cover; refrigerate overnight. Before serving, sprinkle with chives and parsley. I would serve this in a round "bread bowl" with the above mentioned crudités.*

"God's definition of what matters is pretty straight forward - He measures our lives by how we love."

Have FUN today!!!!!

Love,

MM

Camarones Asada en Escabeche (Garlic-Oregano Grilled Shrimp)

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!
(serves 8)

1/4 cup EVOO plus 1 T., divided
1 med. sweet* onion, thinly sliced
1 t. dried oregano, preferably Mexican
6 whole black peppercorns
2 dried bay leaves
1 t. kosher salt, divided
2 T. finely chopped fresh serrano or jalapeno peppers (wear gloves* and remove seeds* and pith*)
3 med. cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 cup cider vinegar
32 raw shrimp (16-20 count), peeled and deveined, tails left on if desired
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet over med.-high heat until it shimmers. Add onion, oregano, peppercorns, bay leaves, and 1/2 t. salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to wilt, 4-5 mins. Add chiles and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant but not colored, 30 secs. to one 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in vinegar. Transfer to a shallow glass baking dish and let cool while you grill the shrimp. Preheat grill to med.-high. Pat shrimp dry. Toss in a bowl with the remaining 1 T. oil and 1/2 t. salt. Thread the shrimp onto eight 12" skewers. leaving a little space between each one. Grill the shrimp, turning once, until just cooked through, 3-4 mins. total. Remove the shrimp from the skewers and add to the onion marinade, gently stirring to combine. Let marinate, stirring occasionally, for at least 20 mins. or up to 1 hour. Sprinkle with cilantro just before serving.

"Be yourself. There's no one better."

Love,

MM

Parmesan Caper Deviled Eggs

I would be at the head of the line to gobble these up!!
(serves 24)

1 dozen hard boiled eggs
1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup light* mayo.
1 T. minced shallot
2 t. Dijon mustard
1 t. white wine vinegar
1/4 t. kosher* salt
1/4 t. freshly* ground pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 T. capers (rinsed)
4 grape tomatoes, thinly sliced

Cut eggs in half lengthwise and remove yolks to a bowl. Mash yolks with a fork, and mix in all ingredients well (through capers). Carefully spoon mixture into egg white halves and top with a slice of tomato.

"Sometimes what you're most afraid of doing is the very thing that will set you free!!"

65 and still ALIVE!!!!!!

I'm gonna have FUN today. Hope you do, too.

Love,

MM

White Bean Salad with Cheddar, Bacon, and Walnuts

A better, bolder bean salad. And, I LOVE bean salads!!
(serves 10)

2 whole heads of garlic
1 t. EVOO plus 1/3 cup, divided
2 T. plus 1 t. cider vinegar
2 t. Dijon mustard
3/4 t. chopped fresh lemon* thyme
3/4 t. kosher* salt
1/2 t. freshly* ground pepper
3 15 oz. cans great northern or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed well*
4 slices smoked uncured* bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 med. orange bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup toasted and chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat leaf* parsley
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar

Preheat oven to 350. Remove excess papery skin from garlic heads without separating the cloves. Slice the tips off, exposing the cloves. Place the heads on a piece of foil, drizzle with 1 t. oil and wrap into a package. Roast until the garlic is very soft and starting to brown, 55-65 mins. Carefully unwrap and let cool for 10 mins. Squeeze the garlic cloves into a food processor or blender. Add the remaining 1/3 cup oil, vinegar, mustard, thyme S&P. Puree until smooth. Combine beans, bacon, bell pepper, celery, walnuts, and parsley in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Add cheese and gently stir to combine. Serve at room temp. or chilled.

"Your smile is your logo. Your personality is your business card. How you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark."

Thank God for ALL your blessings today - and every day!!

Love,

MM

Mint Cream Julep Pie

A Kentucky Derby Day Delight!!
(serves 8)

1&3/4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
6 T. corn starch
1 large egg
2 large egg yolks
1/4 cup Kentucky bourbon (like Maker's Mark)
1&1/2 T. unsalted Kerrygold* butter
1/4 cup jarred chocolate sauce (like Smucker's Simple Delight dark chocolate)
1 9" pre-baked pie shell
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1&1/2 t. mint extract
Chocolate curls for garnish

In a med. saucepan, bring milk, sugar, and cornstarch to a boil over med. heat. In a heatproof bowl, whisk egg and yolks until mixture is smooth and lightened in color. Very slowly pour hot milk over egg mixture, whisking constantly. Pour mixture back into saucepan and return to heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until very thick, 3-4 mins. Remove from heat. Stir in bourbon, butter, and chocolate sauce. Cool completely at room temp. Pour in pie shell and smooth top. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip cream until soft peaks form. Add confectioners' sugar and mint extract and continue beating until med. peaks form. Top pie with whipped cream. Chill for a least 4 hours. Garnish with chocolate curls.

"The keys to effective relationships are gentleness and humility."

Have FUN today, and don't forget to watch the Derby this aft.!!!

Love,

MM

Open-Face Turkey Reubens

A healthier take on the Jewish deli staple that packs plenty of tang and crunch from the quick slaw with homemade Russian dressing:

1/3 cup low-fat mayo.
4 t. balsamic* ketchup
1 T. dill relish
3 cups of a bagged coleslaw mix
4 slices of pumpernickel or black rye*
4 t. canola oil
8 thin slices low-sodium deli smoked* turkey (8 oz.)
6 slices low-sodium (or aged baby*) Swiss

Position rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler. Whisk mayo, ketchup, and relish in a med. bowl. Add coleslaw mix and toss to coat. Place bread on a rimmed baking sheet and brush each piece with 1 t. oil. Broil until toasted, 2-4 mins. Flip the bread and top each piece with 2 slices of turkey, 1/2 cup coleslaw, and 1&1/2 slices of cheese. Toast the sammies under the broiler until the cheese is melted, 2-3 mins. I would serve these with cold red grapes*, and Lay's Potato chips*.

"Life's got to be beyond you, not about you."

Happy Friday and Happy May Day!!!

Love,

MM