Veggie Lovers Come and Get It!!!

Hello All,

It is a great week for recipes. The vegetables at the store look great and are relatively cheap. It’s also vegetarian week. You may be thinking that you are not a vegetarian and if you’ve made any of my other meals you know that I am not either but there are some great advantages to meat-free cooking. First, the cost should be less considering that meat is usually more expensive than veggies. Second, it is more eco-friendly to go meatless. And lastly, the health benefits are amazing. I like the idea so much that I will now include one meatless meal a week, I call it “meatfree Mondays.” After trying this week’s menu, I hope you become a believer, too.

I will also start a new feature called the signature cocktail. I love a nice drink but hate to pay the prices at a restaurant. This is a great way to entertain friends without the need to stock a full bar. The drink this week is also figure-friendly to match the menu’s theme.

Enjoy the beginning of summer with meals that taste great and make you bathing suit ready.

Day 1 – Greek Pizza
You all know how much I love a good pizza. This one’s so tasty you won’t miss the meat.

Refrigerated pizza dough
3 cloves of garlic, minced
½-1 cup kalamata olives
1 cup feta cheese
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1 small jar sundried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 small red onion, diced
2 handfuls spinach, chopped
Peperocini’s chopped (to taste)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Roll out dough onto a cookie sheet or pizza stone. Spread garlic onto dough. Top pizza with all toppings. Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until dough is golden brown and cheese in melted.

Day 2 – Artichoke Frittata
This is my homage to breakfast for dinner. This would also make a great brunch dish or potluck dinner.

http://rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=2658

Day 3 – Spring-Summer Ziti
You will love this fresh take on classic pasta dish. It is supper easy and the kids will love it.

http://rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=1832

Day 4 – Beautiful Berry Salad
This salad makes a fresh, gorgeous salad. It would be perfect for a ladies’ night or lunch. It is not your typical greens and dressing.

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1734330

Day 5 – Grilled Eggplant Parm
This dish takes a little longer than most of my meals but it is well worth it. It is not only super healthy but also low carb. Bathing suits, here we come.

http://rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=2738

Day 6 – Quick Veggie Stir-fry
Make this dish with a side of brown rice. You’ll think you’re at a Japanese restaurant.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Japanese-Zucchini-and-Onions/Detail.aspx

Day 7 – Leftover Night
Enjoy all the veggie dishes from earlier in the week. Plus, there’s the added benefit of not having to worry about rubbery microwaved meat.

Signature Cocktail –
The Skinny Margarita
Ingredients : 2 ounce clear Tequila A splash of fresh lime juiceA splash of Cointreau, Grand Marnier or Triple SecCombine all ingredients over a glass of ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and salt or sugar if you like. Makes one serving. If you prefer a frozen Skinny Margarita, crush ice in a blender, then pour in ingredients

With fresh garden vegetables galore,
Brooke