[Gypsy]

Ok here are some of my favs.

Mediterranean Veggie Salad

1 1/2 lbs green beens, stemmed and blanched
1/2 pint cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half
1/2 package/can pitted kalamata olives
1/2 large purple onion cut into vertical strips
1/2 lb feta cheese (crumbled or cut into chunk pieces)
1 cup plain low fat yogurt
1/2 c finely chopped fresh mint leaves
1/2 c tarragon vinegar
3/4 c olive oil
3/4 c vegetable oil
salt/pepper to taste

In a large bowl toss beans, tomatoes, olives, onion and feta until mixed.

In medium bowl whisk vinegar and mint leaves into yogurt until mixed. Slowly whisk oils into mixture then season with salt and pepper.

Add dressing to salad mixture and toss. Cover and refrigerate, but return to room temperature before serving.

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Marinated green beans

2 lbs fresh green beans snapped
1 red onion diced
sundried tomatoes

Dressing:
olive oil
2 parts (compared to oil) rasberry vinegar
1 part (compared to oil) balsamic vinegar
2 tsp sugar
dash of worcestershire sauce
dash soy sauce

Steam green beans until tender but still crisp (about 7 min) toss in bowl with onion and sundried tomatoes and add dressing. Let sit anywhere from 4-8 hours, tossing once per hour.

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Zucchini Bake

2 lbs grated zucchini
4 eggs beaten
2 tblsp grated onion
1 c cheddar cheese
1 c crushed saltine crackers
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 c melted butter

Combine all ingredients except cheese into greased (buttered) casserole dish. Bake 35-45 minutes covered. Sprinkle cheeses and bake an additional 10 minutes uncovered.

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Pasta salad

4 c cooked and rinsed shell pasta
1 3/4 c (14 oz can) stewed tomatoes (dice them) and juice
1/2 c (6 oz) marinated artichoke hearts
1/2 c black olives (kalamata or regular)
1/4 c green onion
2 tblsp fresh basil
2 tblsp fresh oregano
2 tblsp parm cheese
2 tblsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Combine all and chill

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Sometimes I'll marinate whole portabello mushrooms in a bit of olive oil, balsamic, fresh garlic, salt/pepper, other spices as desired and grill.

Often I will slice and dice zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, onion, mushrooms, and any other veggies around and sautee in a bit of olive oil, fresh garlic, salt and pepper and have a big plate of veggies. **

** To this I sometimes add a bit of Chardonnay to the above veggie mix, cook it down then add Italian sausage chunks to create a giambotte (sp?)