People have
visited my site!

1 loaf Italian bread
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1/2 cup
1 garlic clove, minced, plus 3 cloves peeled
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper
3 anchovy fillets
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 romaine lettuce hearts, cut in 2-inch pieces
2 bunches watercress, trimmed
1 hard boiled egg
1 cup shredded Pecorino Romano
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1 pound cooked grilled chicken, sliced in strips (optional)

Remove the crust from the Italian bread then cut the loaf into cubes. Place the bread cubes in a mixing bowl. In a small pan over medium heat, add the oil, minced garlic, and oregano. Cook for 2 minutes to infuse the flavors. Pour the oil over the bread cubes and toss. Season with salt and pepper. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking pan and bake for 10 minutes in a preheated 400-degree F oven. The croutons should be crisp but not too hard to pierce with a fork.

In a mini food processor, combine remaining garlic, anchovy, mustard, lemon, vinegar, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Process for 30 seconds to make a paste. Add the olive oil and process again until combined. Combine the romaine and watercress in a large salad bowl. Grate the hard boiled egg into the bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat the leaves. Add the cheese, croutons, parsley and chicken, toss well. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

3 medium cucumbers (about 2 1/4 pounds), peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sour cream
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Freshly ground black pepper

In a large bowl, mix the cucumbers and salt and set aside at room temperature for 1 hour.

In a colander in the sink, drain and rinse the cucumbers thoroughly under cold running water. Set aside to drain for 10 minutes.

Press down on the cucumbers to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer the cucumbers to a large bowl and mix with the sour cream, dill, vinegar, cayenne, and season with pepper to taste. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

1 1/2 pounds Boston, Bibb, green or red leaf lettuce, or a mixture, washed, trimmed, and dried
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup dressing of your choice, such as shallot or herb vinaigrette, ranch, or blue cheese
4 ounces imported Swiss cheese, cut into 2-inch long matchstick pieces
4 ounces baked ham, cut into 2-inch long matchstick pieces
4 ounces smoked turkey, chicken or duck breast, cut into 2-inch long matchstick pieces
4 ounces rare roast beef, cut into 1/4-inch by 2 inch matchstick pieces
2 hard-cooked eggs, shelled, cut into wedges
1 ripe Hass avocado, diced
16 vine-ripened cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
2 kirby (pickling) cucumbers, sliced
1 cup toasted croutons

Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and put into a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss with 1/2 cup of the dressing. Divide the lettuce among 4 large individual serving bowls. Arrange the cheese, meats, eggs, and avocado, like the spokes of a wheel, on top of each salad. Scatter the tomatoes, cucumbers, and croutons on top. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve and pass the remaining dressing at the table.

6 ripe figs
6 slices prosciuitto or Parma ham
A good handful green or purple basil
6 small balls buffalo mozzarella, torn

For the Honey and Lemon Juice Dressing:
1 tablespoon good honey
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
 

Cut a criss-cross in the figs, but not quite to the bottom, and then, using your thumb and forefinger, squeeze the base of the fig to reveal the inside.

Place the figs on a large plate and weave around I piece of prosciutto or Palma ham around each fig.

Add the ripped up basil and the buffalo mozzarella.

Drizzle over the honey, making sure each fig has some in the middle, then drizzle the olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.

Or: Mix all the dressing ingredients together in a bowl and season, to taste, then drizzle everything with the honey and lemon juice dressing.

1 medium red onion, diced
4 fresh tuna steaks, about 6 ounces each
1 tablespoon pure olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 cups arugula, washed and dried
1-1/4 cups basil vinaigrette (recipe follows)
6 ounces cooked green beans
1-1/2 cups marinated baby artichokes, drained
8 ounces small red potatoes, diced and cooked
1 pound vine-ripened tomatoes, cored and diced
1 large fennel bulb, very thinly sliced

Heat a grill or grill-pan to medium.

In a small bowl soak the onions in cold water to cover for 10 minutes. Drain.

Brush the tuna with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the fish, turning once, about 5 minutes per side. Set aside.

In a large bowl toss the arugula with a couple tablespoons of the vinaigrette, and divide the greens onto 4 dinner plates. In the same bowl combine the green beans, artichokes, potatoes, onion, tomatoes, and fennel. Dress the vegetables with a 1/2 cup of the dressing, season with salt and pepper. Place vegetables on the greens and top the salad with the tuna steaks. Drizzle a little dressing over the tuna and serve. Pass the remaining dressing at the table.

BASIL VINAIGRETTE

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup prepared basil oil
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

In a small bowl, whisk the mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper together. Combine the oils in a cup with a spout. Gradually pour the oil into the vinegar mixture while whisking constantly to make a creamy dressing. Yield:About 1-1/4 cups