Tuscan Bread Salad

I LOVE Tuscan Bread Salad, but it's been a really long time since I've made it for some reason. After last night, I'll be making it a lot more often. It's a really delicious way to use up an extra baguette.
1 day old baguette, sliced, grilled, and cut into chunks
1 large tomato, chopped
1 cup mozzarella, cubed
1/2 purple onion, sliced thin
1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 cup arugula
1 1/2 cup basil, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely diced
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 olive oil
salt and pepper
Combine the first 7 ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together garlic, vinegar, and oil. Drizzle over salad, stir, and season with salt and pepper. This is best eaten right away because the bread will eventually get too soggy.

Grilling the bread:

Slice the baguette in thick slices. Rub garlic all over each slice and brush with olive oil. Grill or toast (I like to use my grill pan shown here).

I served this with sliced grilled chicken on the side, but the chicken would probably be good mixed in as well.

Georgie, the sweetest beagle in the world...

I'm pretty sure that Georgie is the sweetest beagle in the entire world. Why else would I allow her to curl up for a nap on my crocheted blanket?

Happiness is fresh roses from the one you love...

Night Out in Little Korea

We went to Little Korea last night for dinner with some very good friends.

Dana, Jenn, and Cassie



John, Jenn, and Kadar

John with his squid beard and Jenn

John and Kadar

Bow Tie Pasta with Green Beans, Feta, and Walnuts

I concocted this last night in an effort to use up leftover bow tie pasta. It turned out really delicious!
1/2 box bow tie pasta
2 cups fresh green beans, cut into small segments 1/2 cup feta, cubed (or goat cheese)
1 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
3 scallions, chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
salt and pepper
While the pasta cooks, steam the green beans. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the hot pasta water. Return the pasta to the pot and over low heat, stir in the feta cheese and some of the hot water to help the cheese get saucy. Add green beans and the remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.

This was really delicious right after I made it last night. However, feta doesn't reheat that well, so the leftovers are not quite the same.

Rearranged Kitchen Shelf

I rearranged our white kitchen shelf the other day. I was inspired to do this when John gave me the cutest set of vintage cheese-themed dessert plates and I was excited to put them on display. At the very top I hung my Annie and Sandy plate that my Uncle Sandy gave me for Christmas in 1982. It had still been packed since my move from Texas, so it was nice to have it out on display again.

This is the shelf before...

...and after!

Flowers from John

Here are the flowers that John has brought home over the last few weeks. I have the sweetest fiance in the world!