Creamy Gazpacho

I would follow this recipe as is and do not double it. I tried that last night and it doesn't fit in the blender. This is a fantastic, quick and easy recipe to make.  I also skip the fancy crispy cheese addition as it just makes this recipe take much longer than I wanted after a long hot day at work.  The cheese option is made with the pecorino Romano and is step one in the photo above.

Enjoy!

Ingredients
2 large garden tomatoes (about a pound, cored)
1.5 cups plain yogurt (I use Greek for extra tang)
1/4 cup Olive oil
12 Basil leaves (best fresh out of the garden)
2 cloves garlic
2 scallions, chopped
2 ice cubes
2 teaspoons (shy) Kosher salt
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar

Process
Combine ingredients in blender and process until smooth. Adjust seasonings to preference.

Mothers Day Brunch

I have been dreaming of this indulgence for weeks! Thanks SP for making my favorite!

Farmer's Market Salad

These August days have been sweltering and the last thing I wanted to do was to cook over a hot stove, oven or grill. So I opted for cold, quick, easy, local and yummy.

Ingredients
a variety of cherry or plum tomatoes
fresh goat cheese balls, in oil
fresh cilantro
balsamic vinegar

Process

1. Cube tomatoes and put in medium bowl.
   
2. Cube or crumble cheese and add to tomatoes.
   
3. Mince cilantro and sprinkle over cheese and tomatoes.
   
4. Add a dash or two of vinegar and stir until combined.
   
5. Chill salad or eat immediately.
   

Mediterranean Bulgar Salad

This is a recipe was in this months Everyday Food. I have tinkered with it, exchanging some ingredients for others and modifying the proportions so that it can serve our family of five. We prefer different ingredients as well as cheese crumbles instead of bigger globs of cheese.

Ingredients
1 cup Bulgar, cooked according to directions on box
salt and pepper
1 package grape tomatoes, halved
1 small package cilantro, diced
1 shallot, diced
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
6 tablespoons olive oil
I package crumbled goat or Feta cheese

Process

1. Place cooked Bulgar in bowl.
   
2. Add next 4 ingredients and stir to mix thoroughly.
   
3. Combine oil and vinegar in small bowl and slowly drizzle over Bulgar mixture.
   
4. Stir thoroughly to combine.
   
5. Serve as a side salad with crumbled cheese over the top.