Good Dinner Mrs. Mellen

I love fresh tomatoes right off the vine. Each year I buy a patio cherry tomato plant to enjoy the luscious taste of fresh tomatoes. I'm always amazed at the bounty of fruits that this little plant produces just for me to enjoy. So fresh and tasty I just want to pop them in my mouth as I pick the ripen tomatoes. Cucumbers and tomatoes are a wonderful combination of flavor and texture that goes perfectly together without adding too many other ingredients. For a easy, simple salad of cucumbers and tomatoes I just added a little fresh basil, feta, dressed with olive oil and lemon juice sprinkled with salt and pepper, so simple, so delicious. Ingredients 1/2 cup lettuce, I used spring greens 1 English cucumber, peeled and sliced 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half 2 tablespoons fresh basil, cut in slivers 1/4 cup feta 2 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon fresh pepper Place greens around edge of plate. Fill cen...

Mediterranean Lemon Quinoa Salad with Feta, Tomatoes, Olives and Capers Mediterranean flavors paired with Quinoa with an added hint of lemon create a fresh tasting salad that is a fabulous addition to any meal or barbecue. Also this salad is wonderful made ahead letting the flavors marinate making a portable dish for a pot luck or picnic.  Ingredients 1 cup Quinoa cooked according to package instructions juice of 1 lemon 2 teaspoon lemon zest 1/2 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely minced 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives 1 tablespoon capers, minced 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese Combine lemon juice, zest, olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper. Pour over Quinoa gently tossing. Add remaining ingredients combining thoroughly. Chill over night to marinate the flavors. Enjoy!