Honeyed Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette Pork Chops

Serves 4 (this made enough marinade for four pork chops, a salad for two, and extra dressing to use for a salad the next day. It makes a lot!)

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill (I used about 1 tablespoon dried)
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped red onion
2 tablespoon capers
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup boiling water (I have no idea why it needs to be boiling??)
1/4 cup extravirgin olive oil
4 pork loin chops

1. Combine first 12 ingredients in a blender; process until mixture is smooth. Add water and olive oil; process until well combined.

2. Marinade pork chops in vinaigrette before grilling.

Served with couscous and salad (using the above marinade)

Results: This was actually a recipe for just the dressing, but I thought I would try it on pork. It made a delicious tasting pork chop, but as a dressing for a plain salad, it wasn't that good. (I did use the rest of the marinade as a dressing for a salad with leftover salmon, and it was much better!) I did not use a blender, but I did finely chop everything.

I think most of the ingredients are things you would more than likely have in your pantry, so it may be a good last-minute way to spice up grilled meat.

Pasta Primavera in Blue Cheese Sauce

Serves 4

1/2 lb Linguine, cooked
1 cup tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup zucchini, diced
1/2 cup yellow squash, diced
1/4 cup red pepper, diced
1/4 cup green pepper, diced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
4 oz crumbled blue cheese

1. Combine all ingredients in a casserole dish. Heat in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Served with Caprese Salad

Results: No, the instructions are not a misprint. That is ALL there is to making this dish. I couldn't believe how simple this meal was to prepare, and the taste was out of this world! It was so delicious, I can't wait to make it again. The Caprese salad was *perfect* with this dish, but then again, when is a Caprese salad NOT perfect?

If my husband took the leftovers to work for lunch today, he might want to sleep with one eye open.

Grilled Salmon with Garlic, Lemon, and Basil

Serves 4

Sauce:
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
2 garlic cloves, minced

Salmon:
4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. To prepare sauce, combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl; set aside.

2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Sprinkle fish evenly with salt and pepper; add fish to grill, skin side up. Tent loosely with tin foil. Grill four minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with sauce.

Served with mashed potatoes and peas.

Results: This sauce was super easy to make, and would also taste great on chicken. I didn't think this made enough sauce for four people, but it worked for Chris and I, because the kids didn't want any of the sauce. So tangy and fresh tasting...a keeper!

Grilled Fusion Chicken

Serves 4

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons each tequila and fresh lime juice
1&1/2 teaspoons hot sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon ground dried chipotle chile
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
Chopped cilantro (optional)

1. Pound chicken to 1/4-inch thickness. In a shallow dish, whisk oil, tequila, lime juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire, ginger, chile, and salt. Reserve 1/3 cup of this marinade, then put the chicken in dish, turning to coat, and marinate 30 minutes.

2. Grill chicken on a charcoal or gas grill over medium heat, turning once, until cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes total.

3. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, simmer reserved marinade until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the cream, then remove from heat. Serve chicken drizzled with sauce and garnished with cilantro, if you like. Serve extra sauce on the side.

Served with rice and a tropical salad (recipe below)

Results: My mother-in-law sent me this recipe and I wish I had tried it sooner. This was delicious and could not have been easier to make. The sauce was so tasty and this was a perfect summer meal. I'm pretty sure I would have licked my plate, had I not been trying to set an example for the boys. I did not have the dried chipotles, and it still tasted great, so if you don't have them, I wouldn't rush out to buy them.

Henry had no problems eating this, Steven would not even try it. How about in the future, I just let you know when Steven actually tries something, OK?

Tropical Salad: Whisk 1/2 cup strawberry yogurt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 & 1/2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar* in a bowl until blended. Add 5 cups spring mix salad, 1/2 cup shredded coconut, 1/2 cup thinly slice strawberries and 1/2 cup mandarin orange slices. Toss to coat. (*note: I used regular balsamic vinegar, and it was just fine. It discolors the yogurt a bit, but once the salad is mixed, you can't even tell. I refuse to buy an $8.00 bottle of vinegar for less than two teaspoons.)