Traditional Caprese Salad is thick sliced beefsteak tomatoes, slices of motzarella balls, basil, olive oil and balsamic glaze – definetly knife and fork food, tricky to serve and quick to look messsy.  For a larger, serve-yourself group, something mixed works better.  Problem is, I want real, big, juicy tomatoes, not puny (no taste) cherry tomatoes.  And cheese I can have with each and every bite.  So, here is the results of a conglomerate of recipes, ideas, and trials. 

Ingredients:

• 2 of the best looking tomatoes you can find (3 if smaller than your fist)
• 2 Tab olive oil (the best you have, please)
• 1/2 tsp chopped garlic
• 2 Tab balsamic vinegar (white balsamic, If you can find it.)
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp coarse ground pepper
• ¼ c small basil leaves (or pesto in a pinch)
• 1 c grated mozzarella (you know – 4 oz from a bag)
• balsamic glaze, for serving (buy it or make it)

Directions:

1. Don’t do anything with the basil until you serve the salad.
2. Cut the unpeeled tomatoes into 1 inch chunks.
3. Sprinkle with the salt.
4. Let sit in a strainer for a while to drain ou excess juice.
5. Place the tomatoes and mozzarella  in a large serving bowl.
6. Cover and refrigerate.
7. In a small jar, shake together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic. and pepper.
8. Cover and refrigerate.
9. An hour or so before the party, pour the dressing over the tomato mixture.
10. Toss to combine.
11. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
12. Add the basil and more salt and pepper to taste.
13. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired.  (You really should, it’s delicious. )

Note:  The daughter suggested adding some day-old bread chunks and pretending it was panzanella.

Servs: 6
Source:  GK

This easy Caprese pasta salad is always a favorite, especially when summer tomatoes are at their peak. Make it ahead of time, the flavors seem to get better after it’s chilled for a few hours.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pkg (8 oz) penne pasta (or maybe something smaller)
• 3 large heirloom tomatoes (about 2 pounds), seeded and chopped (be a big spender and double the tomatoes.)
• 1 lb fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/2 c loosely packed basil leaves, chopped
• 1 1/2 c olive oil
• 1/2 c lemon juice (or white wine vinegar if you forgot to buy lemons)
• 1 shallot, finely chopped (or a 1/2 small sweet onion)
• 2 garlic clove, minced
• 1 Tab sugar
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Drain.
3. Rinse in cold water.
4. Transfer to a large bowl.
5. Gently stir in the tomatoes, cheese and basil.
6. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients.  (Or shake them in a jar)
7. Drizzle over salad.
8. Toss to coat.
9. Refrigerate until serving.

Serves:  17

Source: Taste of Home – Debby Harden, Lansing, Michigan

Long ago, in another world, ladies did luncheons.  Frequently the menu was a variety of salads, a roll and an amazingly calorie laden dessert.  Cynthia’s last name has long been forgotten but her salad has not.

Ingredients:

• 1 can, large, whole cranberry sauce
• 1 can, tall or short, thoroughly drained crushed pineapple
• 1 large carton sour cream
• 4 Tab sugar

Directions:

1. Dump the can of cranberries in a bowl.
2. Dump the can of pineapple on top.
3. Dump the sour cream on top of them.
4. Sprinkle sugar over them.
5. Mix, mix, mix.
6. Freeze overnight.
7. Garnish with mint and strawberries – maybe

Serves:  10 (ladies who are also eating several salads)

Scource:  Cynthia – probably from Anaheim Assistance League or Anaheim Memorial Hospital Guild

In our family, the MEN do the cooking for Mother’s Day dinner.  Scott make this salad – outstanding!! 

Note: You can buy the pomegranate molasses but it is hard to find.  You can easily make your own…4 cups pomegranate juice, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice.  Bring to a boil then simmer until you have about 1 cup left.  This takes 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  Just be careful toward the end that you monitor the molasses so it does not burn.  The temperature of the molasses when finished was 240°.  The results are a thick, sweet, but tart, pomegranate molasses.  And it gives this dressing it’s wonderful flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 c dried cranberries
• 1 bunch dinosaur kale (lacinato kale), ribs removed and leaves coarsely chopped
• 4 oz baby spinach, chopped
• 1 ripe Asian pear, cored, halved and chopped (Bosc good too)
• 1 1/2 c Overcooked Wild Rice, recipe follows
• 1/2 c toasted walnuts/pecans, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 c pomegranate nibs (Please, look for the ones in a container – whole pomegranates are a messy deal)
• Pomegranate Molasses Dressing, recipe follows

Directions:

1. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan.
2. Add the dried cranberries and let sit for 15 minutes.
3. Drain off excess water.
4. Combine the kale, spinach, pear, rice, walnuts and rehydrated cranberries in large bowl.
5. Drizzle 1/4 cup of the Pomegranate Molasses Dressing over.
6. Gently toss until evenly coated.
7. Transfer to a serving bowl.
8. Drizzle with more dressing when ready to serve.

Overcooked Wild Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c wild rice
• Kosher salt

Directions:

1. Combine the rice, 6 cups water and 1 tablespoon salt in a large saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until the grains open all the way, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. The rice should be very cooked (not even the slightest chewy).
3. Drain well.
4. Spread on a baking sheet in an even layer and set aside.
5. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Yield: 3 cups

Pomegranate Molasses Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1/4 c white wine vinegar
• 2 Tab pomegranate molasses
• 1 Tab clover honey
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 c olive oil

Directions:

1. Whisk together the vinegar, pomegranate molasses, honey, mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl until combined.
2. Slowly whisk in the oil until emulsified.
3. The dressing will keep in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for up to 2 days.

Yield: 1/2 cup

Serves:  4-6

Source:  Food Network, Bobby Flay