Tomato, Fresh Herbs and Feta Crostini for Mother’s Day

Since Mother’s Day is this weekend, I thought I would share a super easy recipe from my new cookbook, “400 Best Sandwiches: From Burgers & Classics to Wraps & Condiments”. These Tomato, Fresh Herbs and Feta Crostini would be considered an open-face sandwich and a simple spring appetizer that is pretty, fresh and versatile with a brunch, lunch or dinner menu. I am making this recipe today along with 4 other recipes on Nashville’s Newschannel 5 “Talk of the Town”. My television segment will air at 11 a.m. central as well as on Comcast channel 50 at 12 p.m., 4 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Monday. I hope everyone has a great weekend and Mother’s day celebration.

25 Minute Appetizer: Buffalo Chicken Dip

When I was thinking of recipe ideas for my upcoming Super Bowl television cooking segment (this Friday on NBC “Daytime Alabama”), I asked a close friend and assistant, Nancy, what she likes to serve for her Super Bowl parties (she is one of the best cooks I know). She told me about her favorite Buffalo Chicken Dip which she says is a must. I was reluctant at first (although my kids are huge fans of buffalo wings) because when I judged a cooking contest last year, I saw over 800 recipes for buffalo wing dips. She later convinced me to let her make it for me, and oh my, was she right! The night after I taped the television segment, I had a party with several couples and their children. Everyone went absolutely nuts over the dip, and they were begging for more. Nancy told me to be sure to use “Franks RedHot Sauce”, but any hot sauce will work. I also used rotisserie chicken to make things a lot easier and reduced-fat cream cheese to lighten it up a bit. Enjoy this for the Super Bowl this year or anytime you need a simple and sure to please appetizer.

My Television Appearance Recipes From January 11th

Yesterday, I did a cooking segment on my favorite station Fox 6 News in Birmingham, Alabama which was so much fun! Television work has been an added dimension to my business as I taped eight television cooking segments last month in Massachusetts. Back to yesterday, I have had enormous reponse to the recipes I made on the show, so I thought I would run the recipes one more time. For all of you loyal subscribers, I hope you will forgive me for seeing them again. Hopefully, you will be able to use them this time of year as they are so healthy, flavorful and delicious.

Here’s the link if you want to see my video: http://www.myfoxal.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=8230072&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=5.2.1

Spinach Apple Salad

Prep: 20 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

2 (6-ounce) packages fresh baby spinach

4 small Granny Smith apples, chopped

3/4 cup cashews, toasted (pecan halves may also be used)

1/2 cup golden raisins

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon celery salt

Preparation

1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a large salad bowl.

2. Whisk together sugar and next 4 ingredients until blended. Serve dressing with salad.

Note: You can chill dressing up to 1 day; whisk well before serving.

Lemon Herbed Chicken

This recipe is also fabulous when grilled.

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I like to use chicken cutlets)

1 lemon, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Combine first 7 ingredients in a small bowl, mixing well. Pour lemon marinade over the chicken in a zip-top resealable bag; marinate 1 to 4 hours, turning occasionally.

2. Place chicken on a lightly greased grill or saute pan over medium-high heat; cook 2 to 4 minutes on each side or until done. Garnish with with the lemon slices.

Note: You can also cook these the oven by placing them on a baking sheet (or cover baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray for easy cleanup). Broil 51/2 inches from heat (with electric oven door partially open) 8 to 10 minutes on each side or until tender;