#3866 - Pickled Cherry Tomatoes

(by Shirley McNevich)

cherry tomatoes (enough to fill 3 pint sized glass canning jars)
fresh dill
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups water
2 TBSP salt
2 TBSP white sugar
4 garlic cloves (halved)
6 peppercorns
chopped onions (optional)

Remove stems and wash the cherry tomatoes. DO NOT peel the cherry tomatoes or you will end up with a mushy mess. Use a sharp kabob skewer to poke 3-4 holes into a cherry tomato, then place it in one of the jars. Repeat with all cherry tomatoes. Add some fresh dill to the top of the tomatoes in each jar. Optional--add some chopped onions to each jar. In a saucepan add the cider vinegar, water, white sugar, salt, halved garlic cloves and peppercorns--cook/stir over medium heat until boiling. Once boiling, cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat--cool to room temperature. Pour the vinegar mixture into each jar--enough to cover all tomatoes. Screw on the lids tightly and refrigerate them for at least 1 day before eating. When serving, you can remove the garlic pieces and any leftover large peppercorns.

#3690 - Meatball Dip

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 - 8oz. Philadelphia cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup mayo
2 TBSP grated Parmesan cheese (more if you wish)
1 tsp. oregano
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese + extra for topping
1/2 lb. cooked meatballs (cooled to room temperature)
6 cherry tomatoes (diced)
3 black olives (diced)
3 green olives (diced)
Ritz crackers

Dice the cooled meatballs. In a bowl add softened cream cheese, mayo, Parmesan cheese and oregano--stir well. Add shredded mozzarella cheese, diced meatballs, diced cherry tomatoes and diced olives--stir well. Pour the mixture into a small casserole dish. Sprinkle extra shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Bake at 350 degrees (uncovered) 25-30 minutes. Serve hot with Ritz crackers.

#3654 - Multi Colored Pasta Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 - 16oz. box multi-colored rotini pasta
1 zucchini (washed and sliced, peeled before slicing if you wish)
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/2 lb. cooked ham (cut into bite sized pieces)
6oz. pepperoni slices (quartered)
1/2 of a red bell pepper (chopped)
1 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 tsp. oregano
salt and pepper (to your taste)
1 cup Italian salad dressing (more if necessary)
fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 small container cherry tomatoes (quartered)

Cook and drain pasta in salted water but DO NOT RINSE. In a large bowl add sliced zucchini, sliced black olives, ham pieces, pepperoni pieces, chopped red bell peppers, chopped celery, sliced green onions, oregano, salad dressing and drained pasta--toss well. Taste--adjust seasonings and add salt/pepper as necessary. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The next day, add cherry tomato pieces and shredded mozzarella cheese--stir well. Sprinkle fresh grated Parmesan cheese over the top before serving. If salad is too dry, add a little more Italian salad dressing.

#3615 - Bacon and Pea Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

1lb. bacon (fried and crumbled)
2lbs. frozen peas (thawed and well drained)
3/4 cup grated/shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 of a small red onion (chopped)
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika
cherry tomatoes (quartered)

In a large glass bowl add thawed peas, shredded cheese and chopped onions--toss to coat. Add mayo, crumbled bacon, salt, pepper and paprika--toss to coat. Taste--add/adjust spices as necessary, then toss again. Cover and refrigerate until very cold. When ready to serve, add quartered cherry tomatoes and toss well. Optional: add some of your favorite shaped pasta (cooked and well drained).

#3461 - BLT Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

1/2 lb. bacon
romaine lettuce
Italian style croutons
1 small container cherry tomatoes
shredded cheese (your choice of type)
balsamic vinegar salad dressing OR Italian salad dressing

Fry the bacon, then place it on paper towels to soak up extra grease. Wash the romaine lettuce, then tear it into pieces and place it in a large salad bowl. Crumble the bacon and spread the bacon pieces over the lettuce. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and spread them over the top of the bacon. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Spread Italian croutons over the top. Drizzle the salad dressing over the top and toss until mixed. Serve immediately.

#3445 - Tortellini Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 - 9oz. package cheese tortellini
10oz. fresh baby spinach
1/3 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese (more if you wish)
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 small can sliced black olives (drained)
1 - 8oz. bottle robust Italian dressing
1 bag Italian style croutons
fresh ground black pepper (optional)

Prepare cheese tortellini according to package directions--drain but DO NOT rinse. Wash the baby spinach with cold water, then drain the spinach. Slice each cherry tomato in half. In a large bowl add drained cheese tortellini, drained baby spinach, drained olives, sliced cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and HALF of the Italian dressing--toss to coat. Add more dressing to suit your taste, then toss again. Top with Italian style croutons and fresh ground black pepper.

#3262 - Cream Cheese Bean Dip

(by Shirley McNevich)

2 - 8oz. Philadelphia cream cheese (softened)
2 - 16oz. containers spicy black bean dip
2 - 8oz. shredded Mexican three cheese blend shredded cheese
green onions (sliced)
1 or 2 containers cherry OR grape tomatoes
sliced black olives (drained)
Tostitos scoop chips

In a bowl add cream cheese--mix with a spoon until spreadable. In a 9 x 13 glass baking dish make repeating layers of cream cheese, then bean dip, then shredded cheese. Once all ingredients have been used, sprinkle sliced green onions all over the top. Spread sliced black olives over the top. When ready to serve, cut each tomato into four pieces and spread the tomatoes all over the top. Serve with scoop chips.

#3237 - Fresh Dill Pasta Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 - 8oz. box small pasta shells (cooked and drained according to box direction but DO NOT RINSE)
1 small container cherry tomatoes
2 cups chopped fresh spinach
1 orange bell pepper (chopped)
1/4 cup chopped red onions
3 TBSP chopped fresh dill
1 - 8oz. bag any flavor shredded cheese
1 bottle Italian salad dressing (chilled)--regular OR reduced calorie

In a large bowl add drained pasta, chopped spinach, chopped orange bell peppers, chopped red onions and chopped fresh dill--toss to mix. Add about half of the bottle of salad dressing--toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until cold. When ready to serve, halve the cherry tomatoes. Add cherry tomato halves and half of the shredded cheese to the pasta mixture--toss to coat. Add more Italian dressing and more shredded cheese if needed.

#3174 - Green Bean Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

2 lbs. fresh green beans
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup olive oil
3 TBSP cider vinegar (more if you want more vinegar flavor)
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. ground mustard
1/8 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
1 large red onion (separated into rings, then cut each onion ring into 4 pieces)
2 containers cherry tomatoes
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (more if you wish)

Wash the green beans--cut off the ends and discard. Snap/cut the remaining parts of the green beans into bite sized pieces. In a pot add the green beans and salt--cover with water, bring to a boil and cook 6-8 minutes or until green beans are tender but still crisp (do NOT overcook). Drain the green beans but do NOT rinse them. Dump the drained green beans into a Dutch oven filled with ice water and ice cubes--let them in the ice water for 2-3 minutes, then drain them again. Spread some paper towels out on your counter and spread the drained green beans on them to soak up any extra liquid. In a bowl add olive oil, cider vinegar, garlic powder, ground mustard and black pepper--stir to mix. In a glass serving bowl add the green beans and the red onion segments--drizzle the olive oil mixture over the green beans/onions and toss to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours. When ready to serve, wash the cherry tomatoes and slice each tomato into halves or quarters. Remove green bean mixture from refrigerator--add the tomato pieces and shredded mozarella cheese--toss until mixed. Optional: if you want more liquid on the salad, double the olive oil mixture.

#3148 - Onion Tomato Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

6 ears fresh sweet corn (husked)
2 containers grape or cherry tomatoes (cut into bite sized pieces)
1 large sweet red onion (separted into rings, then cut each ring into quarters)
1/4 cup olive oil
3 TBSP apple cider vinegar OR white vinegar (more if you wish)
salt
pepper
white sugar (if necessary)

In a pot of salted boiling water, add the husked sweet corn--cook until tender. Rinse the corn in cold water, then drain. When the corn has cooled, use a sharp knife to cut the kernels off of each cob. In a glass bowl add corn kernels, tomato pieces, sliced onion pieces, olive oil and vinegar--toss to coat. If too dry add more olive oil--toss again. Add salt and pepper to your taste--toss again. Taste--if you like more vinegar flavor, add more vinegar and toss again. Refrigerate until cold OR serve right away at room temperature. If you accidentally add too much vinegar and it's too sour, add 1 tsp. white sugar and stir again.

#3137 - Asparagus Pasta

(by Shirley McNevich)

8oz. spiral pasta
2-3 TBSP canola oil OR olive oil
2 garlic cloves (minced) OR a few dashes of garlic powder
1 1/2 lbs. fresh asparagus (washed and cut into bite sized pieces)
salt and pepper (to your taste)
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup chicken broth
fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Cook/drain pasta according to box directions. In a skillet over medium heat add canola/olive oil, minced garlic, asparagus pieces, salt and pepper--cook/stir until asparagus starts to soften. Add the cherry tomatoes--stir. Add the chicken broth--cook/stir until tomatoes break apart. In a large bowl add the drained pasta and asparagues mixture--sprinkle as much grated Parmesan cheese as you wish over the top, then stir until mixed. Top with more grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

#3134 - Red Onion Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

2 red onions (sliced)
4 spring onions (chopped)
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 tsp. canola oil OR olive oil
2 TBSP white sugar
lettuce (broken into bite sized pieces)
1 small container cherry tomatoes
fresh ground black pepper

In a bowl add cider vinegar, canola/olive oil and white sugar--stir well to mix. Taste--if too sour add a little more white sugar. If too sweet add a little more cider vinegar. Once taste is correct add sliced red onions and chopped spring onions--toss well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. When ready to serve, fill salad bowls about halfway with bite sized lettuce pieces. Spread a generous amount of the onion mixture over the lettuce. Slice cherry tomatoes into quarters and place a few in each bowl on top of the onion mixture. Top with fresh ground black pepper. Optional--add a little fresh grated Parmesan cheese to the top of each bowl.

#2993 - Baked Cherry Tomatoes

(by Shirley McNevich)

Note: this recipe is posted in advance for 12/26/13 so we can take the week off.

2 pints of cherry tomatoes (washed)
olive oil
salt, pepper and parsley flakes for sprinkling
1 container fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Grease a glass baking dish with Pam. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and place them in a bowl. Add some olive oil to the tomatoes--toss to coat. Spread the cherry tomatoes in the greased baking dish so that they are touching. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the tomatoes. Sprinkle fresh grated Parmesan cheese over the tomatoes. Sprinkle parsley flakes over the top of the tomatoes. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until hot.

#2530 - Onion Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 small container of cherry tomatoes
1 large onion
2 cucumbers
2 TBSP fresh chopped parsley
2 TBSP cider vinegar
2 TBSP olive oil
dash of salt
black pepper

Wash the cherry tomatoes, then slice each cherry tomato in half. Place halved cherry tomatoes in a large bowl. Peel the onion and slice it in half--only use 1/2 of the onion. Slice one onion half into thin slices, then separate the rings and add them to the tomatoes. Peel the cucumbers, then slice them thinly and add them to the tomatoes. Add cider vinegar, chopped parsley and a dash of salt to the tomatoes--toss the mixture until coated. When serving in salad bowls, top each salad with some fresh ground black pepper. If you want more liquid in the salad, double the cider vinegar and olive oil.

#2088 - Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

2 cups bowtie pasta (cooked and drained according to box directions--do not rinse)
2 cups fresh broccoli pieces
2 - 3oz. chicken breasts
salt
pepper
1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
1/2 cup Italian dressing
1/2 cup shredded cheese (your choice of flavor)
1/4 cup sliced olives
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper both sides of chicken breasts--grill them until no longer pink inside. Cut chicken breasts into bite sized pieces. When cooking pasta, add broccoli pieces to boiling pasta during last 2 minutes of cooking--drain but do not rinse. In a bowl add chicken pieces, shredded cheese, Italian dressing and olives--toss to coat. Add pasta, broccoli and Parmesan cheese--toss until mixed. Refrigerate until cold. Just before serving, add halved tomatoes--toss until mixed.

#1425 - Spinach Pasta Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

3 cups bowtie pasta (cooked and drained according to box directions)
2 cups fresh baby spinach (washed and drained)
1 cup shredded sharp cheese
1 cup cherry tomatoes (each sliced in half)
3/4 cup drained chick peas
1/2 cup Italian dressing
1/4 to 1/2 cup drained sliced olives

In a bowl add drained pasta, spinach, chick peas, and sliced olives--toss until mixed. Add sliced cherry tomatoes, Italian dressing, and shredded cheese--toss. If too dry add a little more Italian dressing.

#1224 - Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

3 cups (or more) cubed French bread (1/2" cubes)
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 TBSP water
2 TBSP mayo
2 1/2 tsp. white sugar
2 tsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. red pepper
3 cups (or more) lettuce pieces
1 to 2 cups chopped cherry or grape tomatoes
2 TBSP chopped green onions
4 (or more) slices cooked/drained bacon (crumbled)

Spread French bread cubes on a pan (one with a lip) and spray them with Pam. Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes, stir them, then bake another 5 minutes until golden brown--set aside. In a bowl add vinegar, water, mayo, white sugar, olive oil, salt, pepper, red pepper--stir with a whisk until mixed. In a large salad bowl add lettuce, onions, chopped tomatoes--toss. Pour the dressing over the top of the salad--toss. Just before serving spread French bread cubes and crumbled bacon on top. Double the dressing ingredients if you want more dressing.

#956 - Sausage Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

1lb. cooked kielbasa OR cooked polish sausage OR cooked turkey sausage (cut into coin shaped pieces)
1 chopped onion
1 TBSP water
1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
5 cups cooked pasta (any shape--your choice)
cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 cup feta cheese (crumbled)

Cook pasta according to box directions--drain and set aside. In a skillet add cooked kielbasa (or sausage), chopped onion, water and 3/4 tsp. garlic--cook and stir over medium heat for 10 minutes. Add vinegar--stir. Turn heat to simmer, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, remove lid, add cooked pasta and stir until pasta is coated. Add 3/4 tsp. garlic--stir. Cool completely, then cover and refrigerate. Sprinkle cheese on top and add halved cherry tomatoes before serving.

#939 - BLT Pasta

(by Shirley McNevich)

3 cups uncooked penne pasta
4oz. Philadelphia cream cheese (1/2 of an 8oz. package)--cubed
1 cup milk
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
2 cups baby spinach leaves
1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 tsp. Italian seasoning

Cook pasta according to box directions. In a skillet over medium heat add cream cheese cubes, milk and Parmesan cheese--stir and cook until cream cheese is melted. Add crumbled bacon, and Italian seasoning--stir. Drain pasta and plate. Remove skillet from stove and add spinach leaves and cherry tomatoes to the sauce--stir. Pour sauce over pasta.

#405 - Tasty Pasta Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 1/4 cups uncooked three color spiral pasta
1/4 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 TBSP canola oil
1 minced garlic clove
1 tsp. white sugar (you may add more to your taste)
1 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup cherry tomatoes (each sliced in half)
1 large chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions and rinse under cold water--drain. In a large bowl, whisk together the broth, vinegar, oil, garlic, sugar, basil and salt. Add pasta, broccoli, tomatoes, pepper and Parmesan--toss to coat. Refrigerate until chilled.