At Home Italian Cooking By JoElaine

Watermelon Blueberry Salad with Feta Cheese by JoElaine (Balsamo) Quinn

Ingredients:

3 cups of diced watermelon

2 cups of cups blueberries

1 cucumber, cut into slices then in half

4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

1 of cup thinly sliced fresh basil

1 package of spring mixed green salad leaves

Balsamic Vinegarette recipe below

Process.

1. In a large bowl, add the watermelon, blueberries, cucumber, and basil. Toss to combine.

2 . On a platter place your spring mix salad leaves. Then place your mixed fruit with basil on top. Place your feta cheese on top

3. Pour the Balsamic Vinegarette dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Note : I like to serve the dressing separately so you can individually put what you like.

Balsamic Vinegarette:

Ingredients:

3/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar

2 Tbsps of djion mustard

1 tsp of salt

1/8 tsp of pepper

1 medium clove of garlic, crushed

1/2 tsp of sugar

1 Tbsp of water

Process,

1. Blend all ingredients thoroughly. Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator. Shake well before using.

Italian Pasta Salad by JoElaine (Balsamo) Quinn

Ingredients:

1 lb of tricolor rotini

8 ounces of salami , chopped

1 cup of homemade Italian vinaigrette dressing, see below

1 cup of mozzarella cheese cubed

1 pint of grape tomatoes halved

1/2 cup of sliced black olives

1/2 yellow bell pepper diced

1/2 orange bell pepper diced

1/2 red bell pepper diced

1/3 cup of red onion diced

1/3 cup of parmesan cheese shredded

3 Tbsps of fresh parsley chopped

1/2 tsp of Italian seasoning

salt & pepper to taste

Process,

1. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Rinse under cold water. Drain well.

2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Toss to combine.

3. Refrigerate overnight.

Italian Dressing Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of red wine vinegar

1 1/2 cups of olive oil

1/2 tsp of kosher salt

1/2 tsp of sugar

1/2 tsp of black pepper

1 tsp of dried Italian herb blend, or Italian seasoning

1 tsp of dijon mustard

1 clove of garlic, crushed and finely minced

Process,

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a glass jar with a screw-on lid or another container with a tight-fitting lid.

2. Tighten the lid and shake vigorously for 1 minute.

3. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Enjoy!