Chicken Caesar Salad

We are having a run of hot weather here and even though you don't want to cook people have to eat, so you have to come up with something light yet satisfying.

Caesar Salad is about as simple as it gets. Into a large bowl you place about 6 cups of rinsed, dried and course chopped Romaine lettuce. Add to the lettuce about 1/3 cup (don't overdue the dressing you don't want soggy lettuce)good creamy Caesar dressing and toss to coat the lettuce. Add some shredded Parmesan cheese and toss again.

Make or buy some big rustic croutons for your salad. I made some from some of my leftover bread...simply cut big chunks of bread and toss with some olive oil and seasoning and place in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Place in an oven that has been preheated to 350 and bake them until they are crispy and golden brown. Don't forget to turn them over during baking.

You can either use precooked chicken or you can grill or broil a couple of chicken breast halves your self. If you cook your own be sure you don't over cook them and let them rest for a couple minutes before cutting into chunks and topping your salad. I prefer making my own chicken for cost and flavor. Add some more shredded Parmesan cheese and your croutons. Chicken Caesar Salad is super easy, super fast and super delicious.

This is a simple meal that goes together in a flash. Less time in the kitchen is a good thing on a hot night.

Burger Mac

Last night called for comfort food. It is cold out and I had made a loaf of bread the day before that was begging to be finished off with something hearty and saucy. I haven't had this since I was a kid, which was so long ago I can't remember when it was that I had it, or who's house I had it at. It is super simple, tasty and saucy.

Over medium heat you brown a pound of ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks.

Add to the beef one medium onion diced and two cloves of garlic peeled and minced. Cook until the onion is translucent.

Then add 1 1/2 cups water.

Then add one regular can of tomato sauce.

Add a regular can of diced tomatoes (juice included). Also add to taste salt and pepper and 1 to 2 Tlb of Italian seasoning (whatever you have). Give it a stir and let it simmer covered for about 20 minutes. Stir is occasionally.

After it has simmered for twenty minutes add 1 cup elbow macaroni (I used the large type), stir it in let it simmer for another 20 minutes covered. Stir it from time to time.

TaDa! Comfort food at its finest. I served it up in bowls with just a tiny sprinkle of parmesan cheese, crusty homemade bread and a side of roasted sweet potatoes. Sublimely satisfying and delicious.

Work has been crazy and there has not been a lot of free time for cooking lately, but I promise something wonderful comes this way soon. I am cooking up a dinner party this Saturday for friends so make sure to look for that post.