Fast and easy Piacenza salad for 2 .....a variation on the Caprese

This salad is a snap to make and so delicious!  It’s a staple in my household for a quick weeknight dinner.

The ingredients:

Half a container Marinated Fresh Mozzarella balls, 1 cup or so Cherry or grape tomatoes,2-3 T Julienned fresh basil, 1-2 T pine nuts, 2 T freshly grated Parmesan, 2 ½ cups baby lettuce, 1-2 T balsamic vinegar, freshly ground pepper.  For a one dish meal, add julienned salami or baked turkey.

Into your salad bowl, scoop the mozzarella – be fairly generous with oil and herb marinade (about 3 or 4 T).  Add tomatoes.  Toss in fresh basil, pine nuts, balsamic vinegar and baby lettuces (and salami or turkey if you like).  Toss.  Add parmesan and fresh ground pepper and toss again.

Add a few slices of hot bruschetta, a glass of wine – and enjoy!

Happiness is an attitude of gratitude.....

I've had a revelation recently:  gratitude is in short supply these days and there are a million things to feel grateful for, once I pause to reflect.  Here are a few:

• My husband, my wonderful son, my family.....
• The love of my friends....
• My pets, particularly Miss Misha.......
• Every friend, neighbor, client, acquaintance who marches boldly through life in a loving way......
  
• All the strangers I make eye contact with who are quicker on the draw than I am with a smile - bless you!  
• I'm magnificently grateful each and every day to live in this corner of paradise...

It's my intent to consciously find more things to feel grateful for, each and every day.....