Greek Tomato and Feta Dip

Whoa baby was this ever good!

I found this recipe on Pinterest and knew I had to try it. It looks so fresh and tasty and I have developed a real obsession affection for Feta cheese. Doug and I were going to have this as an appetizer before a simple pork chop and pasta salad meal. Well here is what happened.....

Yes, it was that good!

Needless to say, we are having pork chops tomorrow! 

Here's what you need to put this deliciousness together...

1/3 (about) cup olive oil

3-4 roma tomatoes, diced

4-5 green onions, sliced thin

4 oz Feta cheese, crumbled

2 teaspoons Greek seasoning ( In the spice section at WalMart, Cavender's brand, yellow/red label)

1 french baguette 

Start by pouring olive oil onto your platter. Let it coat the bottom. you may need a little more or less, you be the judge.

Top oil with tomatoes, green onions, Feta cheese and Greek seasoning.

Using a spoon, gently mix everything together. 

Warm bread, then slice thin.

Spoon dip onto sliced bread and enjoy. 

This was so good guys... I could have eaten it with a spoon and no bread...mmmm! 

It reminded us of bruschetta, which we love. I can't wait to try it in the summer months when the tomatoes are garden fresh! 

For all you family members, you will be seeing this at a family gathering in the future!

Source: The Girl Who Ate Everything

Margie's Chicken Salad

Nothing says "beach" like Margie's Chicken Salad!

Chicken breasts, grilled and diced, I use these

Pineapple chunks, or tidbits, drained

Shredded cheddar cheese

Mayo or Miracle whip, I always use light

Amounts all depend on how much you want to make. For my family of 5 two or three chicken breasts, one can of pineapple, 3/4 a cup of cheese (more or less to your taste), and enough mayo/miracle whip to bind it all together.

The  last couple times we visited Mark and Margie at the beach, Margie has this dinner ready for us, a weary group traveling from Kansas. It's always so good after traveling all day and eating whatever we can between flights and the 3 hour drive from Raleigh. She usually serves an Asian style slaw that is a perfect accompaniment.  I hope she knows how much we always appreciate her efforts and hospitality.

Angel Hair Pasta with Tomatoes, Basil and Garlic

I am bumping this recipe up for Lent, and it now has pictures...hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Here's who we invited to the party, pasta, olive oil, salt and pepper, broth, parmesan, tomatoes, basil and garlic

1 lb angel hair pasta
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, I really like fresh, 1/2 tablespoon, minced
4 tablespoons olive oil
5 cups fresh tomatoes, diced
3/4 cup chicken broth, or vegetable broth during Lent
5 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Start a large pot of water for your pasta, have everything ready to go, this dish goes together pretty quickly.

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet. When hot, add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Add tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until tomatoes start to break down.

Add hot, drained pasta to skillet and toss well. I have found that I don't need all the cooked pasta. This is a good reason to add it to the skillet instead of pouring the sauce over the top. I usually use about 3/4  of the amount called for.

Add chicken (or vegetable) broth and stir. You can add more broth if you need to without compromising the finished product, just don't go overboard!

Transfer to serving dish and top with Parmesan cheese.

even using 3/4 of the pasta, it makes a lot!

*Great dish to use up abundant summer tomatoes.

**Grill some chicken breasts to go with it for a real treat.

Get the good Parmesan, you won't even miss the meat...

This makes a great Lenten dish. I have read that it is okay to use chicken or beef broth when cooking on meatless Fridays, however, I choose to play it safe and use vegetable broth. I bought vegetable bouillon and it works great! This is also good during the summer when the tomatoes are fresh from the garden, and you grill up some chicken breast outside to serve with it......heavenly!