Caprese Pasta Salad

 Caprese Pasta Salad 

This Caprese Pasta Salad is a huge hit at parties. Serve this delicious dish as a side, salad or appetizer. The combination of cheese, tomatoes, pesto and basil is absolute perfection 

8 oz Rotini pasta, cooked el dente, drained 

8 oz grape tomatoes, halved 

8 oz mozzarella pearls 

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 cup pesto 

3 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper 

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. 

Substitute fresh mozzarella cut into 1/2 inch cubes if mozzarella pearls are unavailable. 

This salad will stay fresh in the fridge for several days so this is a great make ahead dish. 

Replace fresh basil with 1 tbsp of dried basil in a pinch. 

Add shredded or chopped chicken to make this a main dish. 

Hibachi Shrimp Rice Bowls

 Hibachi Shrimp Rice Bowl

1/2 cup mayonnaise 

2 tbsp ketsup

1/2 tsp garlic powder 

1/2 tsp paprika 

Dash hot sauce, to taste 

3 tbsp sesame oil 

1 small cauliflower or broccoli, cut in pieces & steamed 

1 small onion, chopped 

2 eggs 

2 cups rice, cooked & cooled 

4 tbsp soy sauce 

3 green onion, sliced on the diagonal 

Make yum yum sauce by mixing together the mayonnaise, ketsup, garlic powder, paprika and hot sauce (if using) in a bowl. Set aside in the fridge until ready to serve. 

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat Add 1 tbsp sesame oil.  Add shrimp and sauté for 1 minute on each side. Add 2 tbsp soy sauce and cook until the soy sauce is mostly evaporated. Remove shrimp and set aside. 

Add 1 tbsp sesame oil to the skillet & add onion. Sauté approximately 4 - 6 minutes until the the onion is translucent.  Add an additional tbsp sesame oil and eggs, breaking the yolks and scrambling. Add cooled rice.  Sauté for  2 - 2 minutes and add 2 tbsp soy sauce.  Stir fry for additional 2 - 3 minutes or until warmed through. 

Assemble the bowl by layering the fried rice, vegetables and shrimp. Drizzle with yum yum sauce, top with green onion and serve.  

Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites

 Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites 

Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites are flavourful, seasoned pork belly bites that are cooked crispy in your air fryer with less oil and mess than deep frying. 

1 1/2 lbs pork belly, patted dry & cut into 1” pieces 

3 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp garlic powder 

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp pepper

Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees.  

In a large bowl combine oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper. 

Add the pork belly pieces to the bowl and mix well to coat the pork belly evenly. 

Place the pork belly pieces in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer. You may need to split them into batches depending on the size of your air fryer. 

Air fry the pork belly pieces for 16 - 20 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through until cooked and crispy. Times will depend on the size of your pork belly pieces and air fryer. 

Remove from air fryer and serve warm.