Welcome to Happylifeblogspot! A food blog with drool worthy recipes
Are you ready for a quick and easy recipe to get dinner on the table in a flash? Well say hello to Apple Cider Pork Chops! Soooo….a few things you’ll absolutely LOVE about this one, it’s on the table in 25 minutes flat, only uses […]
Grilled Stuffed Zucchini makes an excellent side dish. Pair this healthy vegetable with thick and juicy pork chops, tender grilled chicken or just about anything else you can toss over an open flame. It’s hearty enough to forgo the meats all together and can even […]
Looking to shake things up a bit? Peach Mango Caprese Salad offers a lovely twist on the classic tomato and mozzarella dish. Caprese Salad fans will absolutely adore this lil bowl full of summer. The perfect bite holds wonderfully ripe peaches, juicy mango, tangy tomatoes, milky mozzarella, and just a hint of basil all enveloped in a sweet and savory vinaigrette. Add this beautiful salad to your end of summer meal planning to make the most of the seasonal fruit harvest. It makes a great addition to summer cookouts, sunset dinners on the patio, or even a light lunch. You’ll find every reason possible to make this delicious summer salad again and again.
Here’s all you’ll need: peaches, grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese pearls, mango, parsley, basil, balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt and pepper.
And did I mention like a lot of our recipes this one is just SO easy!! Peel the mango and chop into bitesize pieces. Chop up the peach into small pieces as well. To peel or not to peel, I’ll leave that totally up to you. I’m fine with the skin on…plus less work, obviously…but not everyone is a fan of the fuzzy skin. Don’t forget to cut the grape tomatoes in half too.
Add the peaches, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese balls, mango, along with 2 Tablespoons of fresh parsley and 2 Tablespoons of fresh basil to a large bowl. Mix to combine. Mozzarella cheese balls are a seasonal item at our local Sams Club store. We love buying them in bulk when they’re because the price is absolutely amazing and you get a ton!! This version comes marinated (which I love in this recipe) but the plain variety will work too. Pick them up at your local grocer or even a cheese shop.
Now I bet you can’t believe it but we are already at the halfway point for this recipe! So simple, right?!? Also I hope you’re like me and snatched a lil something from that bowl already. Food needs to be enjoyed…even if we’re not done yet.
Ok so this balsamic vinaigrette is pretty much effortless so there’s absolutely no excuse not to make it. Add the balsamic vinegar, 3 basil leaves, honey, olive oil, salt and pepper to a blender and process. Or you can slice the basil and add all the same ingredients to a jar with a tight fitting lid and just shake it up. This is a choose your own adventure kind of thing.
Pour my new favorite easy peasy vinaigrette over the salad. Gently toss to coat each and every last bite. Refrigerate Peach Mango Caprese Salad until you’re ready to serve. Another bonus to this fresh and delicious side dish is that it can easily be made ahead of time. If you plan on making in advance, I suggest waiting to add the vinaigrette until just before serving. Otherwise the salad can become a little watered down from the dressing.
And there you have it! Yep, that’s it. The freshest, easiest, most delicious side dish you’ll make all summer. Hope you love this one as much we I do.
Feeling peachy? Try our Grilled Chicken with Peach-Cucumber Salsa or our Peach Cobbler Bars next!
We’d love to hear from you! Leave us your comments and love down below.
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Summer nights are made for quick and easy dinner recipes. Citrus Steak Salad is the most perfect all in one dinner salad to get the job done. Crunchy greens, tender steak, juicy strawberries, mandarin oranges and a citrusy, made from scratch vinaigrette make for a meal […]
Did you have a nice Thanksgiving? We sure did! But…..I am all leftover-ed out. I had just about all the turkey, stuffing, and pie that a girl can handle. And I LOVED every second of it!! Did I mention that my family serves up squash […]
If ever there were a dish that tastes like Fall, this is it! Pear & Sausage Rigatoni is a truly unique combination of flavors and textures. A delicious mix of sweet, savory, creamy and even crunchy make this rustic pasta dish an instant hit. There’s a little something for everyone! This gourmet dish can be whipped up in a snap so it’s perfect for any night of the week. Don’t let the small ingredients list fool you. This recipe is jam packed with flavor. You’ll be making this hearty pasta again and again this Fall!
Here’s all you’ll need: rigatoni, sausage, pears, spinach, half-and-half cream, blue cheese, and sliced almonds.
Let’s get started! First cook the pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile as the pasta cooks we can prep the rest of the meal. Next thinly slice the pears. I wish I could hand you a slice through the screen. These pears were seriously SO good!!
Next cook and crumble the sausage in a Dutch oven over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain the grease from the pan. Want to lighten it up a bit? Swap out pork sausage for chicken or turkey sausage.
Add the pears to the pan and cook for 3 minutes longer. I love adding fruit to dinner recipes. It always gives the dish such a surprising flavor boost and Pear & Sausage Rigatoni is no exception!
Then add the spinach, half-and-half cream, and 1/4 cup of blue cheese and cook 3-4 minutes or until the spinach is wilted. Being from Buffalo blue cheese is obviously one of my favorite cheese!! Mmmmm!!!!
Lastly toast the sliced almonds in a small skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes stirring continuously. You’ll know they’re ready when they start to become fragrant and slightly browned. Toasting the almonds enhances their nutty flavor and makes them nice and crisp. Pear & Sausage Rigatoni feels (and tastes) so fancy but it’s really a minimal effort sort of meal. I love that part!
Sprinkle the toasted almonds and the remaining 1/4 cup of blue cheese over pasta. So many Fall flavors in one dish!! I don’t know if I can handle all this!! No wait…..I can!!! I totally can!!
We’d love to hear from you! Leave us your comments and love down below!
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It’s that time of the year when tomatoes taste best so you’re gonna wanna add this next recipe into your dinner rotation right away! Bruschetta Chicken is an end of summer staple in my house. This relatively simple dish is a spectacular way to fancy […]
If you love to hit the bread basket during dinner then this recipe is for you! Our Light & Flaky Biscuits bake up soft and buttery in a matter of minutes! A few simple ingredients (that you probably already have on hand) are all that’s […]
Hi There! I’m Lisa. I’m a lover of all things crafty, creative, DIY, and delicious!!! Oh yeah and puppies too! I love cooking and baking for my friends and family but especially WITH my friends and family. I show my greatest affection through food. If I cook or bake for you, it means I really like you!
