Recipes: Summer Side Dish Extravaganza!

Mel's Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad

This is a unique and festive salad for any summer party. Inspired by my travels to both Greece and Italy! It's best to eat it all the same day...enjoy!

• 1/2 fresh watermelon - cut into large cubes
• medium bunch of fresh mint
• small bunch of arugula
• medium block of feta cheese - sliced into squares
• big handful of pitted Kalamata olives
• Splash of olive oil and Balsamic vinegar - not too much
• Pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over the top
• Grate a tiny bit of lemon rind for garnish...enjoy!

Mel's Tri-Color Bean & Cilantro Salad

I have made this summer side dish almost every weekend...so much so, I had to stop for a while! It's so fresh & flavorful, and goes with everything from grilled fish or chicken, to burgers & dogs! And, it's great to take to lunch the next day! Mix all together in a festive serving bowl and put in the fridge to chill before serving.

• 1 large can black beans - drained (or make fresh beans if you have time - but i usually don't!)
• 1 small can white canneloini beans - drained
• 1 small can garbanzo beans (chickpeas) - drained
• 1 cup of corn kernels
• medium bunch of fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cucumber - peeled & diced
• 1 large red, yellow and/or green pepper - diced
• 1/2 large red onion - diced
• Mix all together in a large bowl
• Decent splash of olive oil
• A few shakes of red pepper flakes - to taste
• Big splash of Balsamic vinegar
• Dash of sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• Optional: a few diced slices of jalapeno - i love them!

Mom's Classic Red Bliss Potato Salad
I love potato salad...especially with red bliss potatoes and hard boiled eggs! It's a real summer favorite made by Mom.

• large bag of red bliss potatoes - cut into quarters and boiled until firm, not mushy (leave skin on)
• 4 hardboiled eggs (diced in large pieces)
• 1 medium red onion (diced)
• Nice bunch of fresh dill
• To make dressing: Mix 2 parts mayonnaise with 1 part dijon mustard and little olive oil
• Dash of sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• Mix all together, chill and serve...enjoy!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a warm and wonderful holiday season! Just wanted to share with you my latest "photoshop" holiday card. I have always loved those "crying babies on Santa's lap" photos, so I decided to put our beloved golden retriever Charlie in the mix! Visit Boston.com to see more!

Also, I wanted to share with you my Mom's great recipe for her Christmas Morning Egg Strata!

Carolee's Christmas Morning Egg Strata

Ingredients:
5 cups cubed french bread (any kind will do!)
1/2 kielbasa (it is pre-cooked, cut into thin slices)
2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1 package frozen spinach (drained)
10 eggs (lightly beaten)
4 cups milk
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon basil
dash onion powder
dash pepper

Serves 12

Put bread in bottom of 9x13 baking glass dish. Top with 1/2 of cheese and all of mushrooms, kielbasa, spinach. Combine eggs, milk, mustard, salt & pepper, pour over bread mixture in dish. Top with remaining cheese. Refridgerate 8-12 hours (make the night before). Remove from fridge, let sit for one hour before baking. Bake at 325 for 1 hour. Cut into squares, serve and enjoy!