Recipes for Screening Parties!

Here's a fast and easy one to make. (15 minutes prep time)

Loaf of Italian or French bread
2-3 ripe tomatoes
Mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil
Shredded parmesan and or Romano cheese
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt/pepper

Cut the bread into smaller slices and place them on a cookie sheet.  Slice the tomatoes, place on the bread and drizzle lightly with olive oil.  Cut the mozzarella cheese and basil into smaller pieces and place on the tomatoes.  Drizzle olive oil over everything and sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper over everything.  Broil in the oven for 2 – 5 minutes.

There are many variations to this summer salad depending on what you like and what you have on hand. (25 minutes)

Penne pasta – 1 lb.
Head leaf lettuce
1 bell pepper
1 broccoli head
1 carrot
1 cucumber
2 large tomatoes
Red onion
Feta cheese – garlic herb
Can of cooked black beans – cumin and chili flavor
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Your favorite vinaigrette salad dressing
Salt
Pepper

Optional: parmesan cheese, summer sausage and/or artichoke hearts

Put water in a large pan and place on the stove to boil for the pasta. While waiting for it to boil, wash and prep the vegetables. Peel the carrot and cucumber and cut into bite size pieces. Continue to cut the rest of the vegetables and place them in a bowl.

Boil the pasta for10-12 minutes or until desired tenderness. Place in a strainer and run cold water through it to cool the pasta. After it is adequately drained, place in a separate mixing bowl. Drizzle about 5 tablespoons of both olive oil and balsamic vinegar onto the pasta.  Mix in the feta cheese, chopped vegetables and add about 3-5 ounces of your favorite vinaigrette salad dressing..  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Chill and serve.  Serves about 12 people.

Olive oil, rosemary, feta cheese spread

Super fast - and tasty! (10 minutes)

Small block of plain feta cheese
Olive Oil
Fresh rosemary
8 cloves of garlic

Get a bowl or container and crumble the feta cheese into it.  Crush and chop the garlic cloves.  Tear off leaves of rosemary and cut them into smaller pieces.  Add nd mix all the ingredients together.  Serve with bread.  This is especially tasty after 24 hours and the flavors have blended together.  The olive oil takes on the essence of the rosemary, while mellowing out the pungency of the garlic, to make it quite delicious. Once my roommates found out how good it was, I needed to hide it in the fridge.

I’m seeing an overall Mediterranean influence here.  Ah, the place where democracy has it roots.  But cookies, hamburgers and hot dogs are also nice.  I’m still looking for a really good recipes!  If you have any, please send them my way - email.) Really, what more is needed for nice conversation?  Can a person be unreasonable when warm cookies are served?

Let's think back into the history of this nation's foundations. Why did people want to declare independence? Wasn't it something about wanting representatives look out for the will of the People? No taxation without ... I wonder what the founders would think of corporate lobbyists? Anyway, enjoy!