Summer Recipe: Easy Caprese Salad with Pasta

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Caprese Salad Ingredients:

1 pound fresh cherry tomatoes
2 tsp dried oregano
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp salt
¼ cup + 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 package dried pasta (16 ounce); you can use any kind small pasta you like
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
½ tsp black pepper, freshly cracked
8 ounces fresh mozzarella; you can use either small balls or cubed mozarrella
½ cup fresh basil

Caprese Salad Directions:

1. Make sure to preheat your oven to about 450 degrees F.
2. Prepare you ingredients by halving the cherry tomatoes (tip: use yellow and red ones to add color to your plate), cutting the mozzarella, slicing the garlic and shredding the basil leaves.
3. Line a 15x10x1 inch backing pan with foil and arrange the tomatoes in it, taking care so the halves are with their cut sides up. Sprinkle them with the oregano, the salt and the slices of garlic. Next, drizzle the ¼ cup olive oil over them. Put the pan in the oven and let the tomatoes roast uncovered for about 25 minutes or until they get a light brown color and a shriveled look. Take the pan out and set it aside.
4. While the tomatoes are roasting, prepare the pasta following the directions on the package. Drain them and pour them into a large bowl. Add the remaining olive oil, the vinegar and black pepper. Toss to coat everything. Now you can let the pasta cool down to room temperature. Stir from now to then.
5. When the pasta has cooled down, you can add the tomatoes and the drippings from the pan, the fresh mozzarella and the basil leaves. Toss once again to combine well.

Serve up this Caprese salad with our yummy Sausage Lasagna Recipe!

For more healthy meals on Stagetecture, take a look at this delicious pear salad recipe!

Try Out These 4 Fall Pear Recipes We Love!

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1. Pear & Walnut Muffins Recipe

If you are tired of having the same thing for breakfast every single day, change your routine with this recipe. As the old saying goes, “A change is as good as a rest.” These muffins are so delicious you’ll want to eat them every day. For the best results, be sure to use only fresh ingredients. Make the muffins with this recipe: Autumn Pear & Walnut Breakfast Muffins Recipe.

2. Pear and Cranberry Hand Pies Recipe

A great way to make the most of fall’s bounty is by making fall desserts. If your love for pears and cranberries is unmatched, mix them in this wonderful recipe. You’ll soon come to the conclusion that pears are underrated. They make the pies explode with flavor. Get your tips from this post: Fall Dessert: Pear and Cranberry Hand Pies Recipe.

3. Poached Pears Recipe (Gluten-Free)

Eliminating gluten from your diet may seem like an uphill climb, but it is doable. In fact, gluten-free diets are all the rage these days. People love them because they aid in weight loss and also enhance mood. If you are on a gluten-free diet or just looking to try something new, give this recipe a go. Find the directions here – Gluten-Free Dessert: Delicious Poached Pears Recipe.

4. Roasted Pear Salad Recipe

This is the king of healthy dinners! Don’t look to comfort foods to take away the chill this fall, indulge in this healthy dish that is filled with seasonal flavors. It comprises pears, walnuts, blue cheese, and much more. You can take it alone or have it with beef or chicken. Make it like a pro using the instructions in this post: Healthy Dinner: Roasted Pear Salad Recipe.

Pears are the most versatile fruits. They can be used to make cakes, breads, pies, soups, salads, and even pizza. Super juicy and aromatic, they are perfect for fall dishes. If you have many pears in your home and are wondering what to do with them, wonder no more! Look to the above fall pear recipes.

For more fall recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Easy Summer Recipe: Corn & Tomato Pasta

Image Via: Iowa Girl Eats

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Ingredients

1 bowl of your favorite pasta

1/4 cup boiled sweet corn

4 to 5 cherry tomatoes

A little baby spinach (optional)

1/2  cup broccoli (optional)

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Image Via: Recipe

Directions

1. In a sauce pan, boil the pasta for about 8 to 10 minutes on medium heat. Add a pinch of salt and a little cooking oil to the pan. Keep stirring with a spoon occasionally so that the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom and form a huge lump.
2. Once cooked, run cold water through the pasta. You could use a strainer for that. Run the water for a couple of minutes and run your fingers simultaneously to assure that the pasta does not stick r.
3. Chop the cherry tomatoes into wedges and have the sweet corn ready.
4. In a flat non-stick pan, add some cooking oil.
5. If you do choose to add broccoli now is the time to do so. Sauté it for a minute or two on medium heat. Add in chopped spinach next. Sauté for another minute.
6. Add the cherry tomatoes. Very gently mix the contents of the pan and add the boiled pasta. Gently mix again.
7. Add corn and season with salt and pepper.
8. One more gentle mix and your pasta is ready to serve.

This pasta recipe is pretty basic and makes up for an excellent easy summer recipe. You could throw in some sautéed broccoli, spinach and other veggies of your choice. For meat lovers this pasta recipe is just the base. They could add chicken, beef or any of their favorite meats. And for the kids do not forget to garnish it with a little shredded cheese. What you will love about this recipe is the fact that you can twist and turn it to suit your mood and taste, so every time you toss up the corn & tomato pasta there is a different flavor and spirit to it. Do share your views on the recipe.

Click here for more Easy Recipes on Stagetecture!

Summer Recipe: Roasted Pepper Salad

Image via: Italian Food For Ever

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Summer Recipe: Roasted Pepper Salad

Ingredients

10-12 large bell peppers (use red, yellow and orange for a colorful dish)

Salt and pepper

1 clove garlic

1 to 2 teaspoons quality balsamic vinegar

Extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup small olives, rinsed (optional)

1 tablespoon capers, rinsed (optional)

Basil leaves, for garnish

Image via: Martha Stewart

Directions

You can roast the peppers directly on a grill or on the burner of a gas stove, but also in an oven. To grill them or roast them on a burner, just place them directly over high heat and as soon as a side gets black and a little puffy, turn them over using tongs. If you choose to roast them in an oven, just place them on a baking pan (lining it is recommended to prevent too much mess) and broil them, watching out to turn them as soon as a side becomes charred. Whichever way you choose, a good tip to peel them easily is to place them into a bowl as soon as they are done and still hot. Seal the bowl using plastic wrap and let the peppers sit for about 10 minutes, until they are cool enough to handle, but don’t let them cool completely. Now you should be able to simply peel them effortlessly. While peeling them, remove the stems, ribs and seeds also.

Slice the prepared peppers into 1 inch thick strips and place them into a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and toss carefully to combine.

Crush the garlic to make a paste (use a little salt to help) and add it to the bowl. Add capers and vinegar.

Drizzle generously with the extra virgin olive oil and toss the ingredients again so everything gets well combined.  Serve at room temperature after adding olives and basil for garnish.

Roasted peppers keep well in a glass container when they are covered in olive oil in the refrigerator. Make this easy Summer Recipe for a late summer BBQ party for everyone to enjoy. Make sure to use only high quality vinegar, oil and olives, since the best ingredients are essential for a salad to taste great and fresh.

Summer Recipe: Grilled Watermelon Salad

Image via: Noshon.it

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Ingredients

1 sweet watermelon of about 6 pounds

1/2 cup fresh mint leaves

2 ounces feta cheese,

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp fresh cracked black pepper

Image via: Cokingforkeeps

Directions

1. Prepare the ingredients by cutting the watermelon into 1’’ thick rounds, letting the rind on for now, tearing the mint leaves into smaller pieces and crumbling the feta cheese into large chunks or cut it into cubes.
2. Take a grill pan and heat it until very hot. Grill a couple of watermelon pieces until they are charred on each side, which should not take more than 2 or 3 minutes for each side. Next, cut the watermelon’s rind of on a cutting board and cut the watermelon’s flesh into wedges or cubes. Remove any seeds if there are any.
3. Now it’s time to preparing the final dish. On a serving platter arrange the watermelon pieces and sprinkle with some mint leaves and feta crumbles. Drizzle a little olive oil on it, as well as a small amount of balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste.

This Summer Recipe is super refreshing and a little different then all the other salads out there. You can also try serving fresh watermelon with only feta cheese and a little bread for a quick, wonderful snack. Also, try replacing the mint leaves with greenery like baby arugula or use a balsamic based sauce instead of the balsamic vinegar.

To make your dish look a little more sophisticated, you can layer the ingredients and serve it like a pro begin a summer meal with a fresh starter.

Healthy Recipe: Strawberry Spinach Salad

Image via: Smart Blanace

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/4 – 1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon minced onion
10 ounces fresh spinach – rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
1 quart strawberries – cleaned, hulled and sliced
1/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered

Image via: Foodess

Directions

1. To make this easy salad, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, paprika, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and the onion. You could also use a blender to blend them as an alternative. Take the dressing and cover it, then chill for about an hour.
2. Combine the spinach, almonds and strawberries in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss it, so the dressing can cover all the other ingredients. Put the salad in the refrigerator for about 10 to 15 minutes before serving it.

Image via: Zestycook

This salad can be prepared in various ways and using other ingredients. Try other fruits, like blueberries, oranges, apples or pineapple. Use balsamic vinegar for a refined taste. Add bacon bits for a heartier outcome. Also, adding cheeses, like feta, would be a great addition. Supplementing the almonds with other dried nuts is also a great way to alter this delicious and healthy salad. Enjoy!

For more healthy salad recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Sesame Asparagus Salad

Image via: Stacey Snacks Online

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Easy Recipe: Sesame Asparagus Salad

Ingredients

1 1/2 to 2 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon white and black sesame seeds, toasted

Image via: Zen Belly Blog

Directions

Bring water to a boil in a medium pot.
Prepare a coriander and iced water and set aside.
Once the water comes to a boil, carefully add the asparagus and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes or until crisp-tender.
Drain the asparagus and immediately plunge asparagus into the prepared ice water to stop the cooking process and drain again.
In a large bowl, whisk together sesame oil and next 3 ingredients.
Add the asparagus and toss gently to combine everything.
Arrange on a serving dish and sprinkle some sesame seeds on top. Enjoy!

This quick and healthy recipe will complete any meal and take it to the next level!

For more healthy recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Tired of boring sandwiches and same old casseroles? Switch up your sandwich routine to these delicious kids approved wraps. Be it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or anything in between, these transportable wraps will make your meal preparation time almost disappear. What’s more? These yummy chicken wraps can be prepared a few hours ahead of time and wrapped in plastic bags for tidy transport. Who ever thought a healthy chicken salad wrap could be this good?

Light & Healthy Chicken Salad Wraps with Avocado

Image via: Pinterest

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Preparation time: 15-20 minutes

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 mashed avocado

1-teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1-tablespoon mayonnaise

4 wholegrain wraps

200g or 1 packet chicken breast, shaved

1 carrot, peeled and grated

50g spinach or lettuce

Procedure

1. In a bowl, put avocado, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.

2. Spread a wrap on a flat surface and add ¼ avocado mixture. Top it up with ¼ chicken, spinach/lettuce and carrot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Roll up wrap and cut into three equal pieces. Repeat the process with remaining wraps.

3. Fast and full of flavor, this chicken salad wrap will quickly become your family favorite. Tweak it to suit your taste and needs.

For more easy meals on Stagetecture, click here.

Looking for a delicious and healthy spring salad? How about a warm and colorful slaw with Brussels sprouts, kale leaves, radicchio, and cranberries?  It’s a healthy vegan dish that you will certainly love. And the best part is, it’s quick and easy to throw together.

Colorful Spring Greens Slaw

Image via: Pinterest

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Preparation time: 25 minutes

Yields: 8 servings

Ingredients

6 ounces Brussels sprouts-trimmed, cored, and halved

6 kale leaves (8-10 ounces), remove the center rib completely

½ radicchio head, cored (add other greens such as collard, lettuce, that you prefer)

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

1-teaspoon salt

½-cup olive oil

½-teaspoon ground black pepper

6 ounces Parmesan cheese

1 cup cranberries, dried

Image via: Food Network

Procedure

1. With a sharp knife, cut kale, radicchio and sprouts in thin shreds and put them in a large bowl.

2. In a small bowl, mix lemon juice, olive oil, pepper and salt together. Pour sufficient dressing on the slaw to moisten it well. Add dried cranberries.

3. Shave the Parmesan cheese using a vegetable peeler and add it to the salad. Toss well. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

If you are trying to eat healthier this season, try this delicious spring greens slaw.

For more healthy recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

How to Make a Great Winter Salad

Image via: JLD Webfocus

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Start With Greens

Stay away from wilted lettuces and mixed salad greens flown in from far regions. Go for crisp cabbages, hearty greens, and crunchy chicories that are in season during winter. Dino kale and chard are also delicious when eaten raw although you may be used to cooking them. Buy greens with small leaves whenever you can and chop the leaves into bite-size pieces.

Add Crunchy Ingredients

Chicories and leafy greens have plenty of texture on their own but taste even better when mixed with other crunchy ingredients. Include pieces of fennel, slices of radish, coins of carrots, croutons, and nuts. These ingredients not only taste good, they exercise your teeth and jaws a little.

Image via: Inspired Edibles

Include Something Sweet

Some greens have a bitter edge and can greatly benefit from sweet components. Add sweet ingredients to make your winter salad pop in flavor and appeal. Use roasted beets or winter fruits like oranges, pears, dates, and kumquats. Dried fruits like cranberries, blueberries, and raisins also work well and add texture.

Image via: Simply love food

Add Delicious Seasonings

Chicories and greens can handle many flavors including salt. Blue cheese, feta, and cojita make great matches for winter salads. Crumble them when adding them to the mixture. Olives are also good whether chopped or pitted. You can even whirl them right into the dressing.

While winter recipes don’t get their glow from ripe tomatoes and butter lettuce, they are packed with hearty greens, crunchy nuts, dried fruits, and salty cheese. This winter, banish those tasteless tomatoes from your salad and embrace the delightful greens the season has to offer. Remember that the secret to making great salads is simply knowing what’s in season.

For more healthy recipes on Stagetecture, click here.