Rustic Caprese Salad

Ever since I traveled to Italy and had a caprese salad in a restaurant in Florence, I have loved the fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil combo.  Below is a recipe for my version of the caprese salad.  I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

Serving size: 1 caprese salad

1 sliced vine ripe tomato

2-3 slices of mozzarella cheese

1 TBSP minced garlic (I used jarred garlic)

3 whole wheat toasted english muffin halves

Fresh basil leaves

Olive oil

Balsamic vinegar 

Directions

1.  Toast your english muffin halves and slice your tomato horizontally into about 5-6 slices.

2.  Cut or tear the mozzarella slices into fourths

3. Layer the tomato slices, mozzarella, and toasted english muffin halves as shown in the pictures

4.  Take a basting brush and dip it into the jar of minced garlic.  Spread the minced garlic all over the tomato, mozzarella, and muffin halves.  You may also garnish the sides of the plate with a little minced garlic if you would like.  If you used fresh garlic, sprinkle it all over the tomato, mozzarella, and muffin halves. 

5.  Tear apart the fresh basil leaves into smaller pieces and sprinkle on top of the salad.

6.  Put a few splatters of the olive oil on the plate next to the salad.

7.  Pour desirable amount of balsamic vinegar on the salad and on the sides.  ENJOY!

Pimento Cheese and Ham Melt Recipe

Ingredients

Servings:  1 sandwich

2-3 TBSP pimento cheese (I used store bought pimento cheese but feel free to make your own!)
2-3 slices of cooked ham
1/3 cup swiss cheese
1 TBSP Hellman's Creamy Balsamic Mayo (you can use whatever type of mayo you prefer)
1/2  TBSP butter
1 whole wheat English muffin

*Optional:  Banana pepper rings
                Bread and butter pickle slices

Instructions:

The accompanying photos to this recipe show 2 sandwiches being made: one with the regular ingredients and one with the optional ingredients.

(1) Spread butter on the outsides of both halves of the english muffin in order to prevent the english muffin from sticking to the skillet and to add a little more flavor to the bread.

(2) Spread the mayo on the insides of both halves of the english muffin.

(3) On the inside of the bottom half of the english muffin, spread pimento cheese.

(4) Place the slices of ham on top of the pimento cheese.  Put the optional ingredients on top of the ham.  

(5) Sprinkle the pimento cheese on top of the ham.

(6) Put the other half of the english muffin on top of the swiss cheese and transfer sandwich over to your skillet.  There is no need to spray the skillet with cooking spray since you coated the outsides of your bread with butter.  Cook the sandwiches over medium-high heat and flip when the bottom side is a golden brown.

(7) When both outside halves of the muffin are golden brown, remove sandwich from skillet and enjoy!

Pimento Cheese and Ham Melt with Optional Ingredients

Pimento Cheese and Ham Melt 

Tangy Turkey and Roast Beef Sandwich with Smoky Island Sauce Recipe

Ingredients for Tangy Turkey and Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe:

Servings: 1 sandwich

2-3 slices of turkey
2-3 slices of roast beef
1-2 slices of tomato seasoned with salt and pepper
1/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 whole wheat english muffin

*Optional:  banana pepper rings
                  bread and butter pickle slices

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 360º
2. Toast bottom half of english muffin (set aside the top half)
3. Layer the turkey, roast beef, seasoned tomatoes, and optional ingredients on lower toasted half of muffin
4. Sprinkle cheese on top
5. Place in preheated oven and cook until cheese is melted
6. Toast top half of muffin while your sandwich is in the oven
7. Prepare your sauce of choice (see below for Smoky Island Sauce Recipe)
8. Remove sandwich from oven, spread sauce on top half of english muffin, place on sandwich....and ENJOY!

Ingredients for Smoky Island Sauce:

Servings: 1/3 cup sauce

1 (heaping) TBSP of Hellman's Creamy Balsamic Mayo®

1 TSP 1000 Island Dressing

1/2 TSP of BBQ sauce

1/2 TSP minced garlic

1/4 TSP chopped chives

1/4 TSP chopped green onion

1/4 TSP hot sauce

Instructions:

1.   Thoroughly mix together all ingredients in a small bowl

2. If adding to sandwich, spread sauce on sandwich half and voila!

....Finished Product....

© Kate's Rustic Bohemian Realm