Category: Vegetable

Fun holiday recipes – Caprese sticks

It is fun to create colorful holiday snacks for a party.  Here is a great recipe that can be served as a snack, an appetizer or even as a side dish if you choose.  It incorporates the red and green colors of Christmas and is super easy to make.  This recipe was found on https://www.delish.com/

Ingredients:

8 oz. mozzarella balls 2 tbsp., extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp., Italian seasoning 1/4 tsp., crushed red pepper flakes, salt, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves 1 c., balsamic vinegar

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, stir together mozzarella, olive oil, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and season with salt. Set aside. (NOTE: if you or your guests are sensitive to spices, the crushed red pepper flakes can be left out of this recipe)
  2. Assemble skewers: Layer a cherry tomato, basil leaf, marinated mozzarella ball, and another cherry tomato. Place on your serving platter. (NOTE:  It is always fun to use herbs from your garden, here is a great opportunity to use that basil you have been growing all year.  If not, this can be purchased at your local grocer)
  3. Make balsamic glaze: In a small saucepan or skillet, bring balsamic vinegar to a low simmer. Let thicken until syrupy, 15 minutes. Set aside to cool and thicken. (NOTE: double or triple your recipe to keep some aside for later use.  This is a great glaze and always good to top a salad.  It’s great to have these things available for quick use)
  4. Drizzle skewers with balsamic glaze and serve. (NOTE: you can make these caprese sticks as large or as small as you want depending on the size skewer (or toothpick) you select) 

 

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Garlic Green Beans – Recipe

This is a great side dish or even a main dish if you are looking for a yummy vegetable dish to fill your plate. It is super easy to make with very little prep.  It doesn’t qualify as vegetarian unless you substitute the butter with Avocado oil (in which case, I would add additional spices to the saute portion of the recipe for flavor to suite your taste).

Ingredients:

1 Pound Fresh Green Beans

2 Cups Water

3 Cloves Garlic, Minced

3 Tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

Snap ends of beans off (this is a preference thing, I don’t like the ends of the beans).  Bring the beans and water to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  Drain and set beans aside.  In a large skillet, saute garlic in butter until light golden brown.  Add beans, salt and pepper.  Heat through and mix well.  Remove from heat and serve.  If you are adding additional spices, Do so when adding the beans to the butter mixture.  If you are using butter and are sensitive to salt, try using unsalted butter.

This is a great recipe than can be adjusted many different ways.  Another fun tip is to add Parmesan cheese just prior to serving.  Enjoy and let me know if you have any other fun variations to this recipe.

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