My friend Red,  introduced me to this recipe. Ironically, we both read a historical fictional book titled Signora da Vinci by Robin Maxwell. The story  is a historical fiction about Leonardo da Vinci’s mother, Caterina. First of all, I loved the behind the scene story of Caterina and the drama that unfolds in her life in this book.

Secondly, in the back of the book, the author requested Susan Jeter to  create a recipe using ingredients that were common to Italy . Somehow I managed to miss this recipe when I read the book. My friend Red, introduced it when she included the appetizer for a dinner party in our home. With this post, I have adapted Susan’s lovely recipe.

Fast delicious Appetizer that everyone loves

What is not to love in this recipe? Sweet grapes, salty olives, luscious olive oil and balsamic vinegar tossed then reduced. A reduction that develops  into a sexy coating that screams for french bread and goat cheese.  Foodie Appetizer Sweet yet Savory is easy to prepare ahead of time, then served as needed. Easy, delicious and pairs well with most everything.

Recently, I served this dish at my Blog Anniversary Tasting. At my event, I served Foodie Appetizer Sweet yet Savory over cream cheese in lieu of goat cheese. My preference is serving this delicious bite of sweet and savory over goat cheese. Select the cheese that you love or serve both.

In my study of food, I am trying to learn about food pairings with wine. When serving this dish, pair with a pinot grigio or check out other options.  In my review, I located this site as one resource for food and wine pairing.  Site has great suggestions to start with as a wine pairing ultimately it boils down to what you like to drink. Taste test wines with this Foodie Appetizer Sweet yet Savory and let me know your favorite.

Alexa Shout out to Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse for Body and Soul.

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There are a couple of things that I would give up before my crock pot. And it’s not because I have a fancy-smancy crock pot. Oh no, my crock pot is a hand-me-down. My last crock pot was attacked in his home on the bottom of the pantry. A high-level canned good took ‘ole crock out. Our house went into mourning, our  beloved crock pot had delivered  for a long time.

Finally, just when I thought I was going to get a high-tech crock, my bonus Mom came to the rescue with a slightly worn but loved extra. Best part about my slightly worn crock is that it is simple. No bells and whistles for me to ponder over or operating manuals to read. Besides, it’s only a matter of time before a high-level canned good takes it out.

Roasted vegetables in the oven for an hour add extra flavor to this sauce. While the vegetables are roasting, I use this time to cook the sausage. When the sausage and vegetables are cooked, its time to marry together all the ingredients in the crock pot. Set the dial of the crock pot on low and leave it for 12-16 hours.

A delicious hearty and thick sauce that will stand up to any pasta. Serve with crusty  garlic bread, salad and a glass of vino. In my research I found a great wine and food pairing site. Check out their wine suggestions for red sauce with pasta. Food and wine pairing is always an important thing to consider for a meal.

Alexa shout out to Dean Martin for “That’s Amore”.  I enjoyed watching the suave and talented men in the “Rat Pack” as a girl. Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis were witty, dancing men that could sing and make a girl swoon.

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Sunday lunch was a great time to cook Flavorful Italian Green Beans and test it on my family. Whether your entertaining friends, organizing visits from family or dinner parties  you will need a stockpile of recipes for this time of year. I needed an easy meal to prepare, full of vegetables and low in calories. A meal that didn’t taste like diet food and or come in a box and would please the toughest critic.

Grill Man is the perfect critic. Thankfully, he loves me madly but absolutely does not mind critiquing. At times, I must make a facial expression that surely shows my displeasure with his comments. Grill Man’s typical reply is “You want me to be honest, don’t you?”  even before I have time to say anything. Hhhmmmmmmmm?

My judging panel consisted of Grill Man, his Mom  (my bonus Mom ) and son (my IT genius).   This trio of taste testers represent a good cross-section of palates. Sunday lunch offered an opportunity for me to share quality time with family and test a few recipes. A busy girl must learn to multitask if she is going to survive.

What’s on the menu?

Sunday Menu consisted of Easy Low Calorie Baked Salmon, Italian Green Beans, fresh okra from the garden and Lima Beans. Grill Man had been on the road a lot and needed a home cooked meal. This menu offers a low-calorie meal that is full of flavor and nutrients.

Over the course of our lunch our conversations centered around the meal and family updates. My baby sister and her family had recently visited our home. Her Super-baby is always a topic of our conversations, discussing his latest achievements and viewing recent photos. As his Auntie Mimi, I confess he is adorable and totally grabs your heart upon introduction.

I whipped out my phone to show the latest images of Super-baby. On viewing the latest photo, bonus Mom said “He’s a ditty-wa-sport!” What? I had to ask her to repeat because I wasn’t familiar with this vernacular. Through our lunch conversations, I learned Ditty-wa-sport is like calling someone a “Sport-T-Model”.

Reflecting on ditty-wa-sport made me think of my Granny Theda. My granny had the most unusual sayings of anyone that I have ever met, ever. For the longest time, I thought she created Waste Not Want Not. Mainly, because she said it all the time, gave it to my Mom who then forced  the concept on yours truly. It’s a blessing and a damn curse.

Does your family have unusual expressions?

The unusual sayings were all that I could think about. I sent my list of  “Granny-sayings” in a text to a few of my cousins and sisters for any to be added that were missing. After the continuous texts stopped rolling in, and the laughter had settled,  I realized my Granny enjoyed dark humor. I guess that is where I get it from.  Granny certainly gave me her love of cooking and entertaining , too.

My fondest memories are being at her house underfoot and sharing meals with her very large and loud family. Cooking and sharing meals allows for bonding and conversations that you may only experience while eating together. Don’t pass up an opportunity to learn about your family, some items only slip out at the dinner table. As a suggestion, wine may encourage the ‘slippin’-out, although not necessary.

Share Flavorful Italian Green Beans with your family. Please let me know how you like it. Also, if you have a family saying that makes you ponder and giggle, please leave a comment and share.   I will share mine soon. Happy Cooking Y’all

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My need for a quick appetizer plus craft beer runs the gambit and includes  having  a loved one  that may experience a bad case of “h-angry”? H-angry is a special kind of “I am so hungry that I am angry”. H-angry is something that I try to avoid at all costs. Grill-Man’s hypoglycemia kicks h-angry into overdrive. Let’s just say that it is not a pretty thing to watch.

First Quick  Appetizer plus craft beer now and later?

No matter the reason, it is good to have a meal trick up your sleeve. Pesto, Sausage, Zucchini, Cheese and Green Onion Pizza will do nicely. Because variations on this recipe are endless, it is easy to select your toppings that you may want.

Most of these ingredients, I always have on hand and could be changed based on pantry inventory. In this recipe I have chosen to use store-bought pie shell in lieu of pizza crust. Before you get your panties in an uproar, here’s why:

• pie crust is always on hand
• easy to use pie crust unrolls easily and allows for time savings
• it allows for a thinner crust which I prefer
• fewer calories per slice

If you’re a traditionalist and want to replace with pizza dough, please do so. The internet will yield lots of homemade crusts. This option will not be as quick unless you opt for the store-bought crust which requires a grocery store trip. Or plan in advance and have dough on hand or in the freezer which requires time to thaw.

Since, Pizza is food that most anyone will eat. This recipe will allow you to hide the zucchini. A sneaky way to introduce a veggie is to place the zucchini on first, then add cheese and other items on top. Mom  may have to get creative when introducing veggies to any meal.  The earlier you work in the vegetables  the better. This does not work for everyone. I am aware that some people just “do not like vegetables”. If that is the case, leave them off  or replace with another item.

Check Quick Appetizer, Plus Craft Beer from Fairhope Brewing Company

Enjoy this pizza recipe and it will pair well with beer. In Fairhope, we are lucky to have the first production craft brewery in Lower Alabama since prohibition. In order to make this happen, a ton of beer lovers near and far had to unite for a common goal to change Alabama law. For more information on this subject visit Free The Hops.

Due to the the hard work and constant beer drinking, Fairhope Brewing Company celebrated their Fourth Anniversary  this year.  The story behind the crafted beer is a story in itself. Visit the taproom soon and discover what makes FBC special.

Since Fairhope Brewing Company has a notable offering and distributes to Alabama, parts of Mississippi and Florida you’re in luck. If your around those parts of the world visiting our sandy beaches check ’em out. They are very clever with the naming of their beers and flavors.  Just to name a few:

Everyday Ale
S’wheat Home
Judge Roy Bean
I Drink Therefore I Amber
(take The) Causeway IPA
Along Came A Cider
Tarts and Crafts
Rescue Dog Red Ale
Coffee Stout

Shout out to Alexa for a song to pair with quick appetizer plus craft beer or pizza. Alexa delivered up some poetry about Cold Pizza and Warm beer. This was not what I had in mind so I resorted to you-tube. Never does it disappoint to give some type of entertainment. Check the version out on you-tube by Small Boys.

Now it’s time for the quick appetizer plus craft beer. I think a tall  frosty mug of I Drink Therefore I Amber. Nite Y’all!

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