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I Overdosed on Wheat Grass!

April 11, 2013 by 2 Comments

Today was day 3 of Healthy Chicks’ Happy Healthy Wellness Challenge and the challenge was to have a “new-to-me” leafy green as the star of one of my meals. I was excited because I have a bunch of kale (which I have eaten but have never cooked) – and a can of white beans I planned to cook together. But then I remembered that my meals for the day were all already prepped, cooked, and packed for the day; I wouldn’t get home until closer to 10pm and there’s no time for making a brand new meal that late! I could skip the gym, but this is a happy and healthy wellness challenge after all and the gym makes me happy, healthy and well, so I figured that wouldn’t be a good idea.

I was going to have to bend the rules a bit and get a lot a bit creative. Then I remembered that on my walk home the night before I passed a very a-typical food truck: one that makes organic juices! That’s what I’ll do – I’ll get a green juice chock full o’ some green they have that I don’t normally juice. I got most of the way to work and no truck (must have been too early) so I scoped out Jamba Juice.

I immediately smelt citrus as I walked in, very welcoming especially early in the morning. I looked over the menu and settled on the green smoothie… or so I thought. It contained whole pieces of fruit but the really green part was ambiguously termed “green veggie juice” – no thanks. God only knows what that’s made of!

Wheat Grass Overdose

So instead I opted for the unadulterated wheat grass shot with an orange wedge! I waited for an eternity so the gentleman behind the counter gave me a double shot free of charge. I didn’t even have to complain. Very good customer service despite the ambiguous ingredient list. So I got my beautiful wheat grass and orange wedge plate, took it to the ledge by the window to enjoy a little sun and the view of Bryant Park (and all the daffodils!) while I slugged this back.

The taste came in waves, and I had to take 2 sips (anyone who knows me know that it doesn’t matter what the contents are, I’m no good at taking shots!) Grass. Semi-sweet Goodness. Grass again. Repeat. Interesting. Leafy, kinda sweet, starchy and all around strange. But not bad, but I definitely needed the orange wedge. After that I wasn’t even reaching for water or anything else – little to no aftertaste!

Next stop: Starbucks to get another Passion tea – trying to hold on to yesterday’s challege and drink only water and herbal tea (I’m thinking the wheat grass doesn’t count as “drinking” something else. Hope I’m right! Rachel?). Anyway, I get my tea and notice their new all natural juices, snag the green one, the ingredients seem to check out, so I buy it. I figured I’d save it for my afternoon pick me up and add to my “new-t0-me leafy green” goal for the day.

About 20 minutes later I’m hit with an unbelievable wave of nausea. Concentrate, Brittany. You can do it. Do not throw up on your desk. I repeat, do not throw up on your desk. You just started working here a couple months ago. Don’t. Do. It.

I reached out to a few fellow #HappyHealthyWC-er’s and shared the horrifying news. They talked (and laughed) me through it and after about a half hour I felt better. And another hour went by and I felt just fine. I feel great now! That was scary, though.

Could you imagine if I threw up on my desk?! Or anywhere at work for that matter?! Ugh!

Naturally I googled it and found a few sources that all led me to the same conclusion: this is normal due to the fact that I don’t regularly (ever) drink wheat grass, and that second free shot may have done more harm than good. As a newbie I should have had less than 1 ounce, and I had 2. On an empty stomach. Followed by hot tea. No. Wonder.

Needless to say I didn’t drink my juice. It had wheat grass in it and I had already OD’d on that for the day and didn’t need another puke scare. I will though! And I’ll be sure to report back!

So will I have wheat grass again? Yes. From Jamba Juice? Sure! Will I have less and make sure I’m not running on empty? You betcha.

Again, at least I have a good story to tell!

Filed Under: Drink something new, healthy eats, Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

My First Mason Jar Salad!

April 8, 2013 by 3 Comments

This is not something I have been known to say often, believe it or not, but this idea came to me from Pinterest!

Mason Jar Salads – or “Mason jar Meals” because it is not limited to salad! are packed and ready to take with you by layering the ingredients in a mason jar. Now, I know that Mason Jars are a bit of “trend” right now – in fact that’s what my drink was served to me in at Bill’s Burger and Bar – but there’s actual logic behind this. Stay with me.

First of all, they are glass and therefore reusable and sustainable. Secondly they are tall and skinny, at least compared to typical short-and-fat Tupperware containers. I don’t know about you, but when packing a salad to bring with me to work, I hate the idea of having separate containers, having to pack the bottle of dressing so things don’t get soggy, etc. This totally solves that problem!

Here’s how I layered my salad:mason-jar-salad

Starting from the bottom of the jar:

Dressing (fat free ranch w/ hot sauce) * Cucumbers * Carrots * Chicken (Cajun style!) *Spring Mix

The dressing and spring mix are the two I didn’t want to touch so I put them furthest from one another, and it totally worked! The jar was in my bag for my bus ride and my 20+ minute walk, and then in the fridge until lunch time and despite the schlepping, the dressing stayed completely separate from the spring mix.

I took the jar out of the fridge, shook it vigorously to start the mixing process, dumped it in to a bowl and voila!

Today was also Day 1 of Healthy Chick’s Happy Healthy Wellness Challenge! The challenge was to eat mindfully throughout the day. I totally forgot doing breakfast… fail. And during lunch… double fail! I used to study (and practice!) Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, so I was excited for this inspiration and motivation to revisit and refocus. To my surprise, it went the complete opposite of the way I had anticipated! I am kind of shocked that I completely forgot! I was so excited to get started on this challenge, and even more so when the first challenge was about mindfulness (something that changed my life). Then I wasn’t so surprised because what was I doing while I was eating both breakfast and lunch? Working. Shocker. Now that it’s nice out I should really leave for work a little early and sit outside to eat breakfast, and leave, even for just 20 minutes, to enjoy my lunch. I might “lose” a little time doing that, but I think I’ll gain so much more coming back to work ready to go with more clarity. Not to mention happier!

I did manage to eat my carrots and hummus mindfully. Boy, do I miss this! I’m really going to try to do this during dinner. TV is going to tempt me, but I’m going to try!

Check out Healthy Chicks’ website – she’s awesome.

Filed Under: gluten-free, healthy eats, Lunch Box, Uncategorized, WW Points Tagged With: , , ,

Coupons for Canapes!

March 28, 2013 by 1 Comment

For anyone who knows me personally, you know I’m a little (okay, a lot) coupon crazy. We clip coupons every Sunday before heading to the grocery store. I have small (hot pink!) expanda-file I keep in my bag with coupons for everything from Hummus to Mouthwash to Clothes. I am known for my bargain hunting skills. I even once had a newsletter where I sent out coupons, tips and tricks to friends and family who wanted to learn how to better budget their money. Certified Coupon Crazy Chick right here.

So naturally, when I received an e-mail promising coupons in exchange for creating my own canape from President Cheese, being the coupon-clipping foodie that I am, I could not resist! Three of my favorite things: Coupons, Cheese, Canapes! (4 if you count the alliteration going on here).

I clicked the link which, for all my fellow digital nerds out there, they did a great job with UTM codes. I hope to stick out like a sore thumb in their Google Analytics when they check the stats.

Anyway, the link goes to an interactive create-your-own canape “app” of sorts. First you choose your bread base, then President cheese product, then your toppings. I thought it was kinda silly at first, but then when I looked at the options they presented, the wheels starting turning and I was really contemplating which direction to go in! Do I do light and fresh water cracker with cucumber, brie and honey? What about Melba Roquefort with pear and balsamic? So many good ideas!

I ended up making what I named The Simple Italian (although the cheese is French so the naming is off a bit). There it is in the screenshot below!

Presidente Cheese Recipes

Rye Cracker

Camembert (this was my favorite cheese when I studied abroad in Paris!)

Grilled Zuccini

Roasted Red Pepper

BOOM!

Then I e-mailed it to 3 friends and in return got a coupon for $3 off 2 products. Score! Typically I don’t like coupons for having to purchase more than one of something, but this works out because I plan to buy more than one anyway.

Bravo, President! As a result of this little activity I plan to make canapes for an appetizer for next month’s Girls’ Night! This is some serious ROI on your e-mail and digital experience marketing. I hope your tracking is in place so that everyone involved gets credit when I purchase your products in a couple of weeks!

Bonus: They have Skinny Cheese! Check out the President Skinny Cheese Movement on Facebook.

Want to try it out? Click here for the President Cheese Canape Creation for Coupons! 

And check back later, I’ll post photos and recipes of what I wind up making!

Note: For you gluten-free foodies out there, Crunchmaster makes my favorite (gluten or no gluten) crackers ever!
And they’re gluten-free! I usually pick them up at Sam’s Club!

 

 

Filed Under: gluten-free, healthy eats, Recipes, Reviews, snacks Tagged With: , , , , ,

Guilt Free Ravioli w/ Vodka Sauce

March 21, 2013 by 1 Comment

Sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? How can ravioli and/or vodka sauce, let alone together, be guilt free?! Well, believe it or not, it can!

This week at Shop Rite we were looking for a few things to pick up to have on hand for those particularly hectic nights when we need something super quick and easy without breaking the healthy routine. We were in the freezer aisle and I saw the raviolis and thought to myself, “I doubt it, but let’s see what the options are.” That’s when I found Mama Rosie’s Low Fat Whole Grain Raviolis.

Now, if you’re Italian and have Sunday dinners, and someone in your family makes homemade ravioli’s I am in NO way suggesting these will compare. Although not homemade or perhaps truly Italian, they are delicious. They are your typical frozen ravioli’s and perfect for a quick and ea  sy meal.

Made with whole grains and low fat cheese, these are a great option for these kinds of nights while also staying on track.

The texture was almost exactly like regular ravioli, just a little bit firmer given they were made with whole grains, but not quite as firm as typical whole grain pasta tends to be. The cheese was delicious and I truly didn’t taste a difference compared to full-fat raviolis.

While the ravioli’s were cooking I pulled out the already-open jar of Colonna Vodka sauce from the fridge and threw a bag of Italian blend frozen veggies in to the microwave. Once everything was done I mixed it all together, topped with garlic powder, sea salt, cracked black pepper and crushed red pepper. And that was it! Start to finish probably 20 minutes! Can’t beat that!

How Mama Rosie’s Low Fat Ravioli’s Stack Up:

Buitoni Regular:                               Buitoni Light:                               Mama Rosie’s

Buitoni-ravioli-nutrition-facts

buitoni-light-ravioli-nutrition-facts

 

mama-rosies-low-fat-ravioli-nutrition-facts

 

Colonna-Vodka-Sauce-Nutrition-Facts

 

Clearly, Mama Rosie’s wins! Only 3 grams of fat per serving, less than half of Light Buitoni! Plus more fiber! Only 5 WW points per serving. For pasta, especially ravioli, this isn’t too shabby.

Colonna Vodka Sauce isn’t a bad option either at only 2 WW points per serving. One of the few times where store-bought may be healthier than homemade!

AND this would work great as a lunch option too! Easy to make in advance and pack for the week so it becomes grab-and-go! I’ll definitely be making this again.

 

Have you ever tried Mama Rosie’s or any other Low Fat or Whole Grain Ravioli? Have any favorites?

Any other simple week night [healthy] meal ideas?

Filed Under: healthy eats, Lunch Box, Reviews, WW Points

Flavors of Fall: Apple Cider Yogurt

October 5, 2011 by 2 Comments

Welcome back to my second series, Flavors of Fall! If you’re just starting out, get caught up here.

News spread that I was interested in autumn-inspired flavors and I started getting tweets, emails and texts about different things I should try. When I heard about Target’s Archer Farms brand being on sale this week, I knew I had to try their pumpkin yogurt.

When I think of yogurt I think of greek yogurt, vanilla yogurt, and different berry flavors – raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry – then I think of peach. I never think of pumpkin or apple.

To my dismay, but not to my surprise, the pumpkin yogurt was sold out. You snooze, you lose. BUT they did have a whole array of other fall inspired flavors that I just knew I had to try.

First up: Apple Cider Yogurt.

apple cider yogurtYes, you read that right. Apple. Cider. Yogurt. First I was intrigued, and then I caught myself being seriously skeptical. For me the word cider has a tangy and sometimes even bitter flavor connotation to it. Never having considered apple as a yogurt flavor, along with this whole “cider” thing made it hard for me to comprehend the idea of apple cider yogurt. But you better believe I grabbed two and tossed them in my basket.

This morning as I sat and enjoyed my breakfast, answering e-mails and making a few calls, I grabbed that apple cider yogurt and gave it a whirl. Nothing like what I had expected. For some reason I thought it would be brown in color, like apple cider. I thought it would be very, very flavorful and not-at-all-vanilla. I thought very, very wrong.

It is almost white, ivory I would say. It is thick and doesn’t smell like much of anything. The first flavor I tasted with that very first spoonful was like a mild vanilla. I took a second spoonful and purposely took almost 15 full seconds to taste it. Ahh, there’s the apple.

apple cider yogurtArcher Farms’ apple cider yogurt is a thick, mild apple flavored yogurt. The third and all subsequent spoonfuls made me think they should have called it something more like “spiced apple” since I started to taste that cooked apple taste.

Nutrition wise this apple cider yogurt ranks with most yogurts: high in sugar at 9 grams, but fat free and its six ounces only contains 80 calories. I paired it with fresh raspberries and a huge water and called it breakfast.

Regardless of it’s name or intention, Archer Farms Apple Cider Yogurt is delicious and I think that being sans berries, it’s definitely a great flavor for fall.

What’s your go-to yogurt flavor?

Any other flavors of fall you think I should try?

Are you a fan of Greek yogurt? I know a lot of people don’t like it, but I’m a huge fan! Even use it in place of sour cream on frittattas!

Filed Under: healthy eats Tagged With: , , ,

Summer Salad Series: A Simple, Satisfying Side Salad

September 2, 2011 by 6 Comments

The Summer Salad Series didn’t turn out to be the best-series-ever, I admit it. But today I had a very random salad that I threw together with what I happened to have in the house, and it turned out great! Sometimes the best things come from throwing together whatever ya got!

Being the eve of Labor Day Weekend, I figured this would be a perfect time to post one last salad of summer, and also offer a great option for a side salad for this weekend’s festivities!

eat something new

What you’ll need:

  • Romaine lettuce
  • Mild Banana Peppers
  • Cucumbers – skin left on for extra crunch!
  • Reduced Fat (or Fat Free) Feta Crumbles
  • Italian dressing (I used Olive Garden’s I had left over from a salad I got to-go)

What you’ll do:

I think it is pretty self explanatory, but just for good measure: Wash and cut lettuce. Top with desired amount of the rest of the incredients, toss with dressing of your choice and enjoy! As always, this recipe is super easy to adapt to your tastes, preferences and allergies. I do recommend a lighter dressing because of the bold flavors from the feta and the banana pepeprs – you don’t want to cover them up! Light italian, light balsamic, or a little oil and vinegar would probably be best.

The verdict: It is so simple, but completely satisfying! I thought I would be left wanting more, so I packed a few light post-salad snacks, but I honestly don’t even need them! The little bit of fat from the cheese, the zing and heat from the banana peppers, the filling lettuce and super crunch from the cucumbers is a great combination. This is sure to make an appearance at least once a week!

Want to make it a meal? Throw in some grilled chicken, chick peas or tofu and you are good to go!

I also think that this salad would make a phenomenal side to go with burgers, chicken, barbeque or anyhting else, really.

How do you feel about banana peppers?
They are my latest obsession and I can’t get enough of them!

Do you have a salad you make for parties? Please share!

What’s your favorite must have ingredient for salad?

Have a Happy Labor Day!

Filed Under: gluten-free, healthy eats, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Jazz! Apples

August 31, 2011 by 4 Comments

jazz applesThe power is still out due to Hurricane Irene and therefore this week’s grocery trip was short and sweet.. literally. I was only in the store for about 25 minutes (I check lots of labels and compare prices so this is short for me!) and I bought apples and new snack bars for work. I needed items that don’t need to be refrigerated, but I also didn’t want to completely sacrifice nutrition, either.

I have been in the market for new snack bars that are low in fat, calories AND sugar – a combination, come to find out, that is hard to come by. More on my thoughts on sugar and snack bars in a later post. This post is about Jazz Apples!

As I walked through the produce section, admiring all of the need-to-be-refrigerated fruits and veggies, I thought to myself: Apples and Pears! Both are great snacks for me at work and don’t have to be refrigerated. AND I could keep them in the office. Looking around for my normal favorite, Fuji or gala apples, I was surprised that I didn’t see any. I settled on some other variety, but then out of the corner of my eye I saw a sign that said Jazz! Confused at first and then intrigued, I put my apples back and made my way over to the Jazz! apples. They looked like both fuji and gala in that they were yellow and red in color. They were larger, though, and had a more of a “tall and skinny” look than the normal “short and fat” apple shape. Only 10 cents more per pound, I figured what the heck? Eat something new, right?

I snacked on one at work yesterday (and today) and they are delicious! Crisp, dense, NOT gritty at all – my number one attribute I look for in a good apple (the only macintosh I like is my computer) – and just the right amount of sweetness. Jazz apples have a distinct taste that is hard to explain, but nothing crazy or strange, just delicious!

This is what Wikipedia had to say about Jazz apples:

“Jazz is a relatively new apple variety from New Zealand. It is the result of a cross between Royal Gala and Braeburn made by Plant & Food Research in 1985.[1] It is also known as Scifresh. It was launched in April 2004.

The apple is sweet, crunchy and juicy. It has a firm, dense flesh and a complex flavor with the acid of Braeburn and the sweetness of Royal Gala giving it broad appeal.

The speculation about why the apple variety is named Jazz, is most likely the exciting color combinations that can be compared to the music style jazz which is often an advanced harmony with discoloration of a piecework.

Jazz apples are being grown under license in New Zealand, UK, Washington state in the US, Australia, France, Chile, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_(apple))

After doing a simple Google search I noticed that Jazz apples even have their own website: jazzapple.com.

Here are a few images they featured that I thought were worth sharing:

They also boast many health benefits including:

  • Lots of fiber
  • Cancer fighting abilities
  • Help facilitate easier breathing

Anyone ever hear of the 3-A-Day Apple Diet? Jazz Apples link to the 3-Apple-A-Day Plan, claiming that on average, those who participate lose 20 lbs. in 12 weeks. Let me know if you’ve ever hear of or tried this. Very interesting!

Do you have a go-to apple variety?

What do you look for in a good apple?

What’s your favorite way to eat an apple? (plain, peanut butter, pie?)

Any out-of-the-ordinary fruits you think I should try?

Filed Under: gluten-free, healthy eats, Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Drink Something New: Harney & Son’s Green Tea with Coconut, Ginger and Vanilla

August 30, 2011 by 1 Comment

Today was the first day back to work since Hurricane Irene and we still don’t have power at home. Being that I have a few side projects (including this blog) that I usually work on at night, I had to go somewhere after work to get some things done. Where else but Starbucks where the caffeine and power are a plenty.

After setting up shop in at the Starbucks in my hometown Barnes and Noble, I headed over to the counter to ask for a platic spoon so I could eat my YoCrunch Greek (post coming soon!). As I sat down and started to “borrow” their electricity and their plastic spoon, I started to feel guilty. I also started to feel thirsty, so I decided to buy a hot tea. At the counter they had some point-of-sale items nicely displayed and, as a marketers dream (really ironic, I know) I fed right in to it.. kind of.

Sitting there was a bright green, beautiful tin of Harney & Son’s tea sachets. This is my favorite brand of tea – so much so that I’ve ordered some offline. If you know me, you know this is mildly out-of-character and shows just how much I love their tea. The Earl Grey Supreme with Lemongrass and Bergamot is my absolute favorite. But I digress.. Tonight they had Green Tea with Coconut, Ginger and Vanilla (and, come to find out, lemongrass). I just could not resist.

I thought it was a long shot, asking if they sold this in single cups, hoping I didn’t have to buy the whole tin that boasted a $10.95 price tag to satisfy my intrigue. I was in luck! I ordered a venti and brought it back to my work station to cool off.

I’m not a huge fan of green tea. Tea in Chinese or Japanese restaurants, quite frankly, I think is gross. I get it. I appreciate it. But I don’t like it. With the other flavors mixed in – all of which rank amongst my favorites – I figured I would like it.. and I was [mostly] wrong.

I take my tea plain. I hesitate to say black because unlike coffee, even black tea isn’t all that dark. I love my Earl Grey Supreme or Tazo Awake with nothing but, on occasion, a little light agave nectar. Sometimes I’ll add a splenda if I’m in the mood or if the tea stinks, but usually plain is just how I like it.

This tea is okay, but it tasted a little “earthy” and needed that extra bit of sweetness. I add a few drops of honey, which did the trick, and it wasn’t too bad. But then by sip three I started to think It tasted like spinach.

My tea tastes like spinach. Never a good thing.

I would recommend trying it if it sounds like something you would like and if you like green tea. But, unlike many other things I suggest, I don’t suggest you try it if it doesn’t sound like something you’d like. I will not be ordering this one offline.

Side note: These sachets come out to less than 40 cents each, which is less than K-cups. I was surprised and thought I would share! If you’re a tea lover and don’t mind spending 40 cents per cup, or currently buy the tea in K-cup form, I would head over to http://www.harney.com! The elegant tin is decieving, it’s really not that expensive.

Harney & Son’s Earl Grey Supreme, however, I would strongly recommend! Many restaurants bring a wooden box filled with Harney & Son’s Tea, so next time you’re out to eat and  in the mood for a little post-dinner tea, ask if they have Harney & Son’s and try the Early Grey Supreme.

Filed Under: Drink something new, healthy eats, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Brennan’s Lobster Salad

August 22, 2011 by 1 Comment
lobster salad
Brennan’s Lobster Salad Sandwich

Whenever I visit two of my best friends in their hometown we head to the beach, but not before stopping at Brennan’s Delicatessen in Rumson, NJ. Famous for their extensive selection of gourmet wraps, not to mention homemade salads, sides and sandwiches, they are the must-try lunch spot if you’re in Central Jersey.

Having been there a few times and having loved their food, I said YES! when I was asked if I wanted to try the one in Oakhurst. It did not disappoint.

It sported the same big board of numbered sandwich options, the same glass counter filled with delicious and obviously homemade salads and sides, and the same cozy beach-town atmosphere.

First I ordered a roasted vegetable wrap, but quickly asked if it would be too much of a pain to change my order. They were offering a Lobster Salad Sandwich special that I simply could not pass up! I didn’t order it at first because “Lobster salad” makes me think of Lobster Rolls which, believe it or not, are not my favorite.

Last summer I tried a lobster roll and a lobster ale at The Lobster Roll on Long Island, supposedly the original and creator of the sandwich. It was a cute, fun place and the lobster ale was great. The roll, however, not my thing. Not bad, just not my preference.

This is why I was nervous to order it at Brennan’s… until I saw the big bowl of it on the counter. I saw that there were HUGE, and I mean HUGE chunks of lobster with shopped veggies and a light layer of dressing. I am always afraid that chicken, tuna or lobster salad will have too much filling or mayonnaise, thus hiding the supposed feature ingredient. Not the case here.

lobster rollBrennan’s lobster salad was chunky with gigantic pieces of lobster that were complimented with a little bit of mayo, and some fresh, crunchy raw veggies – mostly carrots, red onion and celery. It was served on soft, multigrain bread that stood up to the salad, even over night in the fridge! Yes, that means I could only eat half per sitting. It was a delicious and big sandwich, enough for lunch on both Thursday and Friday.

The only thing I have to say, and only because this blog is honest, is that I did not care for the chips. They make homemade potato chips, which I usually love, but this time they were a disappointment. They were soggy and some tasted like BBQ chips – something else I am not a fan of.

BUT the lobster salad sandwich was so good I was willing to over-look the chips and still give Brennan’s my utmost approval.

Not a seafood lover? Not in to Lobster salad? Try any one of their other gourmet sandwiches or wraps – you will not be sorry!

Filed Under: healthy eats, Restaurants, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Caprese-Style Bruschetta

July 12, 2011 by 2 Comments

I ate at an Italian restaurant in Newark, DE for six years, working there for about 2 of them. I practically lived there and still ate there on my days off. It is a local favorite with great food, huge portions and extremely reasonable prices. The name of the restaurant is Cucina di Napoli and if you find yourself in Delaware, I recommend it.

Now, one of my favorite things they have is their bruschetta (pictured above). It may sound silly since this is a simple appetizer, but they hit it out of the park every. single. time. It usually comes with five large slices of bread, perfectly toasted to be crispy on the outside as to not get soggy and soft on the inside making it easy to bite in to and chew. They go the tomato-garlic-onion route with basil and a standard dressing. Absolutely fresh and delicious. I could eat the whole plate as a meal.

I recently had some people over for a dinner party and wanted to make a light, yet delicious and satisfying appetizer, so I attempted to re-create this appetizer. The biggest difference is that I added small pieces of fresh mozzarella cheese. Hence the “caprese-style” part of the dish’s title. Overall it was a huge success!

Turing for a second to the wonderful-for-familiarization-purposes website Wikipedia,

Traditional Caprese Salad

“Insalata Caprese (salad in the style of Capri) is a simple salad from the Italian region of Campania, made of sliced fresh buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil.[1][2] In Italy, unlike most salads, it is usually served as an antipasto (starter), not a contorno (side dish).”

Traditional Bruschetta

“Bruschetta (Italian pronunciation: [brusˈketːa] ( listen)) is an appetizer from central Italy whose origin dates to at least the 15th century. It consists of roasted bread rubbed with garlic and topped with extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Variations may include toppings of spicy red pepper, tomato, vegetables, beans, cured meat, and/or cheese; the most popular recipe outside of Italy involves basil, fresh tomato, garlic and onion or mozzarella. Bruschetta is usually served as a snack or appetizer.”

So the american-ized version of Bruschetta with the tomatos isn’t exactlyyyyyy traditional – but it is delicious, and it’s pretty close, so who cares?

Here is what you’ll need: 

  • 6 Roma tomatoes
  • 1 small white or yellow onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1/4 cup of olive oil
  • 7 or so leaves of fresh Basil – fresh makes a big difference, so I would suggest splurging for it!
  • Fresh mozzarella cheese (as much as you want – but one small container of the mozz balls in water would do it)
  • Whatever kind of bred you’d like – I would suggest italian or fresh bread cut in to slices
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Here is what you’ll do:

  • Slice bread, toast in the oven or a toaster oven on 400 for about 10 minutes – until they reach desired toastiness- (Not really a word, but I like it so just go with it)
  • Chop the tomatoes in to small pieces (but not minced!) – For tips, you can go here. Add to a large mixing bowl.
  • Chop onions in to desired sized pieces. If you like the taste of raw onion you may want bigger pieces the same size as a the tomatoes. I like to chop the onions very small – almost minced.
  • Peel and chop garlic. Add to the bowl.
  • fold all Basil leaves together and in half, then chop finely. Add to bowl.
  • Chop cheese in to small pieces – again, any size you’d prefer. For this particular dish I think that smaller pieces, but again not minced, works best.
  • Add olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. I would start with 2 tablespoons of oil, mix, and go from there.
  • Top bread slices with mixture and enjoy!

Your thoughts on bruschetta?

Any other favorite appetizers you can share?!

Filed Under: healthy eats, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,
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