Tomato Mozzarella Salad

Pefect to accompany a platter of cold cuts or a grilled steak.

What You Need	Directions
3 pounds tomatoes, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks  heirloom if you can find them. 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch chunks Chiffonade 1 cup approximately  loosely packed fresh basil leaves, 3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 3/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon reduced balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons olive oil	In large bowl, toss the tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, oil, salt,  pepper until evenly mixed. Drizzle the balsamic reduction over the tomatoes and cheese and serve.

The balsamic reduction can be made way ahead and has addition uses. To make the balsamic reduction:
Place the vinegar in a heavy-bottomed, non-reactive pot.  Heat on low, at a light simmer.  Turn the heat to low and reduce until syrupy 1/3 to ½ cup.
The vinegar will thicken as it cools.
This will keep in a cool place for months.

Garden Salad with Dressings

Start with an empty bowl and the skies are the limit. Don’t
have a certain ingredient, leave it out or substitute another ingredient for it. Plan on about two cups per serving.

Tossed Greens Salad
What You Need	Directions
Try to use several varieties  of Assorted Greens in your salads Look for interesting textures and colors in your greens. Onion (red or yellow) optional Tomatoes Cucumbers Shredded carrots Celery Radishes	If you bought pre-washed  mix, you don’t have to worry about cleaning the greens, otherwise they should be  washed. Make sure they are dry before starting to make the salad, otherwise you will have a soggy salad. If you don’t have a salad spinner you can wrap your greens in a clean dish towel  and pat dry.

A few non veggies items that can a salad the star are crumbled bacon, crumbled cheese, croutons, chopped hard boiled egg and brine cured olives

Dressings
A basic vinaigrette
1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup red vinegar
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Whisk ingredients together or  may be  prepared in a food processor or blender.
Small amounts of fresh herbs can add a whole new flavor dimension to salads and salad dressings.