Caramelized Peach Salad Recipe

I recently recreated a dish from one of my favorite spots in Los Angeles. Call me hokey, but I LOVE Villa Blanca in Beverly Hills. Sure, their food isn't as stellar as it used to be which if you're a fan of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, you would know that there was a huge blow-out between Lisa Vanderpump, the restaurant's owner and their head chef. You can get filled in on that drama via Bravo.

Anyway, there used to be a salad on their menu that was out of this world. It had everything I loved, fruit, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, and a dressing with some serious spice! It was the perfect combination of flavors. 

Caprese Pasta Salad

It's no secret that one of my favorite ingredient combinations is fresh tomato, mozzarella and basil. Add a little balsamic glaze to that, and now we're in business! Oh, it's also a well known fact that I am a serious "pasta-holic", so when I was asked by The Mr. (last minute, of course) to whip up a dish for one of his office cookouts, I decided to stick to my faves!

This recipe can be put together in 30 minutes, tops. Yes, even including the pasta!

Summer Salads and a $25 Panera Bread Gift Card Giveaway!

So I have a bit of a foodie confession... I LOVE Panera Bread. I know, I know, in a land of gourmet and gastopubs I admire what some consider to be "fast food". I just want to clear that up... it's NOT fast food. Panera is fresh food, fast. Do they use that in their marketing already? If not, they should! 

I recently got word that there are new items on the menu for summer. Some old favorites and some soon to be staples are back on the boards at Panera Bread. Their ever-popular Strawberry Poppyseed and Chicken Salad is back after much demand. The fresh strawberries and blueberries compliment the yummy Mandarin oranges and pineapple, oh, and those good old pecans for a bit of crunch, topped with all-natural, antibiotic-free chicken and a drizzle of their fat-free poppyseed dressing. I mean that's pretty much summer in a bowl! 

This summer they are also introducing a new salad offering, the Chilled Shrimp and Soba Noodle Salad. Combine soba noodles tossed with Napa cabbage and peanut sauce alongside fresh baby spinach tossed with orange miso dressing and top it off with tender cooked shrimp and sesame seeds for a new favorite! Panera’s farm raised white shrimp is natural and free of additives. It is cooked with the shell on for best flavor, before being peeled and cut.  \

Cool off with two new sweet sippers too! Try the new Frozen Cherry Limeade or the Tropical Hibiscus Iced Tea. 

*NEW LOCATION OPENING*
Panera Bread is celebrating the grand opening of its newest bakery café in Sherman Oaks on Tuesday, May 28 from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. and you are invited! The first 100 guests will receive certificates for free loaves of bread for one year!

14708 Ventura Blvd 

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403  
  

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mango Cilantro Shrimp Salad

I put my dining fate in your hands last night and asked which ingredients I should add to my shrimp dish. Your vote was cilantro and lime, here's what I came up with! 

Ingredients

Shrimp, peeled 

Mango

Cilantro

Limes

Jalapeño

Tomato

Couscous, about 1 cup

Avocado

Shallot or red onion

Salt and Pepper

Restaurant Recipe: Greenleaf Antioxidant Orchard Salad

Here's a super fresh, super yummy recipe I picked up after a stop at one of my favorite lunch-spots in Los Angeles! Try it for yourself! 

Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop

Antioxidant Orchard Salad