Indulge In {Pea & Prosciutto Salad}

Without fail, when the weather changes, my food cravings do too. I no longer want hearty stews, chili, and potatoes and start desiring fresh vegetables and lighter fare with fresh tasting ingredients. Bland salads aren't for everybody, and certainly aren't my first choice, but green just seems right as a side dish during the spring. I shared this recipe last year, and as we transition the party outside, I thought I would share it again. This pea and prosciutto salad is light but flavorful and a crowd pleaser for sure. The freshness is what sells me. It goes great with chicken, seafood, and burger and is much nicer alternative to the traditional salad. Here's the recipe!

:: Ingredients ::
4 Slices Prosciutto
2 Cups Frozen Green Peas
1/4 Cup Feta Crumbles
1 Clove Garlic, minced
2 Green Onions, diced
2.5 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper

:: Directions ::
1. Cook the four slices of prosciutto until crispy. Set aside. Crumble once cooled.
2. In a medium pot, bring water to a boil. Add frozen peas and cook till defrosted, about 2 minutes. Drain.
3. In a bowl, combine peas, crumbled prosciutto, feta, garlic, green onion, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Indulge In {Prosciutto Crostinis}

Happy Thursday y'all! It's my favorite day of the week, food day! I love coming up with new and fun appetizers to serve at parties or on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I came up with this crostini idea in the middle of a relaxing mani/pedi. It seems much fancier than it actually is but is incredibly easy to make! This crostini is perfect as a starter or filling enough to be a whole meal. Here's the recipe.

:: Ingredients ::
1 Baguette, sliced
Blue Cheese Crumbles
Thin Sliced Prosciutto
Arugula
Olive Oil

:: Directions ::
1. Preheat oven to 300.
2. Drizzle each slice of baguette with olive oil.  Top with crumbled blue cheese and place in the oven for 12 minutes or until the cheese begins to melt.
3. Place half a slice of prosciutto and a bit of arugula on top of each. Serve and enjoy!

Indulge In {Spinach & Prosciutto White Pizza}

Ever since I got my new rolling pin, I've become obsessed with making homemade pizza. It's amazing how much easier rolling out the dough has become with it. I've really enjoyed playing with different toppings and creating different flavor combinations. Once of my favorites though has been the white pizza. I love the taste of no sauce and extra cheese. With a base of olive oil and ricotta cheese and toppings of fresh chopped spinach and diced prosciutto, you can't go wrong. Here's the recipe...

:: Ingredients ::
Store Bought Pizza Dough
Part-Skim Ricotta
Shredded Mozzarella
Minced Garlic
Olive Oil
Chopped Spinach
Diced Prosciutto
Flour
Pan Spray

:: Directions ::
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. On a floured surface, begin rolling out your pizza dough. Once to desired thickness (I prefer a thin crust.) drizzle with olive oil and minced garlic. Spread evenly on dough.
3. Top with ricotta, spinach, prosciutto, and mozzarella.
4. Transfer to a greased pizza pan and bake for 18 minutes for until crust is golden brown.

Indulge In {Roasted Brussel Sprouts}

Another Thursday, another week closer to Thanksgiving, and another yummy side to compliment your turkey. I have to say that today's side is one of my favorites. While brussel sprouts may be every kid's worst nightmare (next to spinach), it sure is delicious when roasted with a bit of olive oil, balsamic, and my favorite part, crispy pancetta. I like to believe that even though it's mixed with bits of pancetta it's still healthy! Healthy or not, it's still an amazing compliment to your turkey. Here's the recipe...

:: Ingredients ::
1 lb. Brussel Sprouts, trimmed and quartered
1/4 lb. Pancetta, diced
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Salt & Pepper

:: Directions ::
1. Toss brussel sprouts with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Spread on baking sheet.
2. Top brussels with diced pancetta and bake at 425 for 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

Indulge In {Pea & Prosciutto Salad}

I've discovered the key to easy and stress free entertaining, especially on short notice, is simplicity. Whether it be the decor or the menu, keeping it simple is what it's all about. There is no need to prepare dishes with 17 ingredients that you have to go to culinary school to even attempt to impress your guests.  Five ingredients or less and a beautiful serving dish are all you need to make a big impact. That's why this is one of my new favorite side dishes for any type of event. This pea and prosciutto salad is simple enough to make and can be served either hot or cold. It's full of flavor and a great compliment to fish, chicken, or even burgers on the grill. What's even better is I usually have most of the ingredients in my fridge so it can be thrown together in the blink of an eye. Here's the recipe...


:: Ingredients ::
4 Slices of Prosciutto
2 Cups Frozen Green Peas
1/4 Cup Feta Cheese
1 Clove Garlic, minced
2 Green Onions, diced
2 1/2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper

:: Directions ::
1. In a medium pan, cook the 4 slices of prosciutto until crispy.
2. While cooking the prosciutto, bring 2 cups of water to a boil, add peas and cook till defrosted, about 2 minutes.
3. Once the prosciutto finishes cooking, remove from the pan and chop. Add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and saute garlic until fragrant.
4. In a large bowl, combine peas, prosciutto, feta, garlic, green onions, and the remaining olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or place in the fridge until ready to serve.

Center of Attention {Dinner Party}

I talk a lot about amazing centerpieces and decor for large scale parties, but I spend relatively little time focusing on the daily celebrations. Even our slogan states that Life's a Party, and I haven't been emphasizing that lately. So, today, I am taking the opportunity to enjoy the true center of attention love of my life, the Saturday night dinner party. There is nothing I love more than gathering around a table with good wine, good friends, and good food. With such an event, simplicity is key. A simple arrangement of beautiful buds is really all you need. That and a loaf of warm bread accompanied by a bowl of fragrant olive oil and flavorful herbs. I like when the food takes the attention. If it's really that good, then you don't need other things to distract from it. Place loves every couple of seats with beautifully (or custom) designed bottles of olive oil and dinner guest will feel welcome and ready to enjoy the perfect low key Saturday evening!